Hotel Ikon

4/10

Poor

20 Mar 2026

Mayte

This looks more like a cheap Hostal than a 3 star Hotel. I stayed a week earlier in another 3 star Hotel in SFO downtown for same amount wt better beds, room and lobby amenities. The staff that checked me in was like a “student” or resident. He acted like a person that is in charge of a college dorm. The pictures showing a Coffee machine are a scam, there are none coffee machines available or microwave etc that is closed to guest and only available for residents of the place. The elevator is not secure, the door is to heavy and can cause an freak accident to any woman, elderly of kids that can’t handle the weight. The smell of the hallways it’s discouraging. I have never written a bad review this is my first but I had to bc I felt I was been taking advantage since the place doesn’t look the same as in the pictures. The only good thing about the place is that u are in downtown. And to top it all when I left to the airport in the morning the lobby was closed no place or instruction on where to leave a key, I had to figure a safe place ( a drawer of a table in the lobby) to leave them since there were actual keys not a card.
Oh and there is no AC in the rooms.
Had to sleep with windows open in a city ( you can bet how much sleep I got! ) 👎👎👎👎

Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Mar 2026

Kanishka

amazing stay and awesome place to stay.

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2026

Meagan

Incredibly friendly staff and super location

Self

6/10

Pleasant

13 Feb 2026

Aja

Staff was nice. I wasn't prepared for the vintage tech: radiator for heat that I couldn't turn off, or the elevator. I see why there was a person opening/closing the doors back then.

Business Self

6/10

Pleasant

01 Jan 2026

Rey

lack of in room coffee maker was unusual. otherwise a clean and safe place to stay

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

14 Dec 2025

Laresa

There are many restaurants nearby, BART was less than a 10min walk. Very convenient

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

13 Dec 2025

Mauricio

Good valie

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

02 Dec 2025

Laman

Room was clean and comfortable. Staff was very very nice. Especially, thanks to Juan for their effort and helpfulness! Also,that was great to hear that hotel was storing the luggage for a day after checkout. It saved my day!

Best,

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

21 Nov 2025

Adrian

The staff were great, very attentive since we got there.
The only issues were: the restroom door didn’t have a lock, there was a body hair in the “unused” coffee cup, and a bad odor in the hallways. All in all, the prices were not too bad, but the place can do better.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Nov 2025

Brian

Nice rooms excellent value and location!! General Manager Megan was extremely kind, courteous and helpful.. will definitely book this hotel again!!!

Business

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2025

Lauren

The most warm and kind staff at a perfectly situated location.

Easy transportation to the entire city, rooms with just enough space to unpack and relax and two communal rooms to work, hang out, do laundry or prep food.

Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great value in San Francisco.

Shout out to Meghan and Rolando for being extra helpful with check-in/out at weird hours and storing my bags for much longer than planned on my check out day.

6/10

Pleasant

03 Nov 2025

Maia

For the price it is great, very handy to have a fridge in room with the shared kitchen area to reheat food and to have an ice maker there too.

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

01 Nov 2025

Christian

At check-in no one was at the front counter. I had to sit and wait outside. The bathroom had mold the chemicals that they use for cleaning was very strong in the room. Luckily the windows were accessible to open to air it out the room. I asked for specific service and was denied Was told to contact management management are useless.

Business_and_leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Oct 2025

Paul

Good economy option for SF. Great location. Great staff. Everything clean. A little old school, but not in a bad way. Mix of residential and hotel. Great shower.

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

25 Oct 2025

bita

It was clean and with a comfortable bed ,but challenging elevator doors 😄 need two people

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2025

Jason

I've stayed here many times. Right when you open the door to the room, the smell of the bedding is amazing haha. Its really cozy and i love having the city feel in a smaller package. Opening the windows is awesome.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

14 Oct 2025

Lia

It’s in the middle of everything in downtown. Very convenient for commute, coffee & food.

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

13 Oct 2025

Eriko

Reasonable for the price, but cleanliness needs improvement. I noticed some bugs including a roach in the room.

8/10

Excellent

13 Oct 2025

Kyle

Starbucks, chipotle, and Mr. Charlie’s in a block. All have vegan options. Chinatown entry right around the corner. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Amazing location for great price.

Business_and_leisure

10/10

Exceptional

08 Oct 2025

Jason

Very clean, great location and overall very pleased with my stay. Everyone was very accommodating.

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

05 Oct 2025

Ben

N/a

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

02 Oct 2025

Ernest

Like the location

Business_and_leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

27 Sep 2025

Yingwen

Good location but Unreliable Services

Overall, I would not recommend this hotel despite its convenient location near the city center. Yes, the location is great, but there are serious issues that outweigh this advantage.

First, the front desk is not always staffed. If you arrive at midday or late in the evening, you may find no one there and the front door locked. Since the room keys are also needed to access the building, this means you might not even be able to get inside.

They claim there is a “resident manager” you can call for help, but that number is essentially useless. I tried calling multiple times, both during the day and at night, and not once did anyone ever answer. If you have an urgent issue, there’s basically no way to reach staff.

Second, the hotel facilities are very outdated. Everything feels old and worn, and there were also quite a few strange guests around, which did not feel very safe.

In summary: good location, but poor management, unreliable service, and uncomfortable environment. I strongly suggest looking elsewhere if you want a worry-free stay.

Self

8/10

Excellent

26 Sep 2025

Fred

near union square, easy to shop

Self

6/10

Pleasant

16 Sep 2025

Karen

The place is was good to stay but not the best,we were staying in a room next to the street and it was too noisy and no air conditioned in the room.

8/10

Excellent

16 Sep 2025

Robert

Did the job

Fairly priced. A lot of remodeling during our stay. Good sign

Business

2/10

Poor

09 Sep 2025

Carlos

No A/C, old elevator, no parking

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Aug 2025

Edgar

It was chill, super clean and staff was friendly

Self

8/10

Excellent

16 Aug 2025

Lucero

Honestly such a great deal I found last minute booking for a music festival. But with such affordable costs there will be

8/10

Excellent

09 Aug 2025

Bruce

It wasn’t bad for the price.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2025

Eli

Very inexpensive old style hotel. I think it's partially residential hotel which gives it a quirky vibe. Great common room for cooking and coffee.

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2025

Matthew

Best value in San Francisco by far. One block from Union Square and Chinatown, across the street Sutter-Stockton Garage. Simple, clean room. No thermostat but comfortable nonetheless. Snack area with coffee machine. Big screen TV. In the middle of everything. Will recommend to others on a tighter budget.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

13 May 2025

Deeya

The staff here was so friendly, and welcoming. The person at the front desk was considerate and always greeted me, even when I was rushing out the door. I forgot some food in the fridge in my room when I checked out, and when I called to ask if I could come pick it back up, they put the food container in a plastic bag, put my name on it, and stored it with the rest of my luggage. I was so thankful for this! Overall the hotel was small albeit charming, and my stay was comfortable. For the price, I was really pleased with the service and quality.

Business Friends

10/10

Exceptional

10 May 2025

Marcus

It was comfortable like home

Business Friends

10/10

Exceptional

21 Mar 2025

Anahit

Incredible staff, location is excellent and very clean. Will stay here again!

Business Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jan 2025

Michael

I booked this property based on price and location. It was offered at a great rate (based on the date booked, New Years Eve). This property was my 2nd choice for booking (based on rate) but very quickly be came my 1st due the increased safety I felt over my 1st choice. It is quite close to Union Square. The property is dated but retains character. The two staff members I dealt with were very friendly. I routinely travel to that area, in hopes of finding cheap and safe lodging, and this is the property that I will now search first when needing to stay in that area. And just an FYI, it’s pretty close to the BART. Thanks Ikon, see you again!

10/10

Exceptional

21 Nov 2024

Verified traveler

Great stay

Booked a room at the Ikon for its proximity to my intended destination and its charm (old-fashion building), all at a very reasonable price-point.
Room was super clean, comfy, bedding of good quality.
Staff was welcoming and super nice.
All in all a great stay.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

04 Oct 2024

Christina

Fabulous location, clean space, comfortable bed, friendly and helpful staff, great and easy communication with hotel

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

02 Aug 2024

Ever

Good location

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jul 2024

Chris

Great value and quiet no frills stay. Very close to Union Square and Chinatown. Sutter Stockton garage directly across the street. Perfect for quick overnight SF requirements

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jun 2024

Akhmat

Great

10/10

Exceptional

29 May 2024

Royal

Cool Place!

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 May 2024

RODOLFO

Everything ok

Self

10/10

Exceptional

23 May 2024

Akhmat

Great

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2024

Verified traveler

Great location and staff

I am just moving to the city and wanted to stay at multiple neighborhoods and this neighborhood by far is as the safest to me. lol. Very friendly staff

Business

10/10

Exceptional

27 Apr 2024

Verified traveler

Unexpected!

Great location, helpful staff, and did I say great location? Lol

Business

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2024

Ronald

Clean and a Great Value

I was pleasantly surprised by the Hotel Ikon. It is an old hotel, and doesn't have many amenities. But the rooms are clean, the beds and linens clean and soft, the wifi was good, The staff was friendly and helpful, and the location is fantastic, just a block off Powell Street and a couple of blocks from Union Square.

If you want a clean, no-frills hotel in a great location and a good price, the Hotel Ikon is hard to beat.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

28 Dec 2023

Rodney

If you’re looking for simplicity, this is the spot

My “go to” hotel in SF. I go to San Francisco quite often for work and have stayed in quite a few hotels over the years.
I love this place because it’s not fancy, it’s very basic, no frills. It feels safe when coming and going, too. Near Chinatown and North Beach so plenty of good food near by. And a short walk to BART & Muni so you can get anywhere.

Business Friends

6/10

Pleasant

14 Sep 2023

Raman

Average room condition. Location was good. Near to Union square

Business

10/10

Exceptional

24 May 2023

Elyse

The staff is super friendly, helpful & made check in easy. I've stayed before & preferred the upper floors, like the 4th floor, they seem quieter than the 2nd floor rooms. Everything was clean & tidy & the area is centrally located. I will stay here again!

Business_and_leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

21 Apr 2023

Luis

The TV didn't work.
The shower didn't work
There is no phone in the room to talk to front desk.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

18 Nov 2022

Colin

There are very questionable residents that live at this hotel. The person living in the room next to me would blast music, constantly scream, throw stuff around. It was a very uncomfortable experience and when I complained I was told he lives there and there’s nothing they can do. There was clearly hard drugs (and maybe alcohol and mental illness) related to this extreme behaviour. It was by far the worst hotel experience I’ve ever had

8/10

Excellent

30 Oct 2022

Rebecca

Very friendly staff. Had all the basics that I needed, no fuss, no hassle. Great location!

Business_and_leisure

2/10

Poor

22 Oct 2022

Garth

No one at check in

Came to check in during normal business hours and was locked out of hotel waiting 20 minutes for staff to arrive at hotel and let me in.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

12 Oct 2022

VIRGINIA

The staff shortage made housekeeping irregular.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

10 Oct 2022

Danielle

Property is old but in a great location and priced pretty well for what you get. The staff is great though, and it's clean. My only complaint is that it smelled pretty bad during my stay, that I had to keep the windows open while I was there.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2022

daniel

Cool old hotel right downtown excellent price

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

03 Oct 2022

Isabel

It was a good hotel. Great location. I would only comment on the noise, you can hear everything. And also, they give you two tiny towels for 2 adults. I am a tiny woman and even I felt like the towel was kid size. They could do a little upgrade to that. Other than that, it was ok for the price and location.

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

26 Sep 2022

Sonia

While it was a good location, the place itself was very dirty. The bathroom was dirty when we got there and there were stains on the walls.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

23 Sep 2022

Raymond

For a man traveling alone, Hotel Ikon is acceptable lodging. Marijuana smoke was overpowering at times and I had to put a towel to cover the one inch space at the bottom of the door.

Business Self

6/10

Pleasant

16 Sep 2022

Andres

Good budget hotel

2/10

Poor

04 Sep 2022

Verified traveler

굥챨이 썸우

Friends_and_family Friends

2/10

Poor

08 Aug 2022

Timothy Robert

Gross place. Small bed, dirty, looked like prison cell

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

01 Aug 2022

Verified traveler

The room was so stuffy and left like i wouldn’t breath, and there wasn’t a phone to called front desk,and there was a smell of dirty feet. Couldn’t watch tv, didn’t know how to change the Chanel.

Self

8/10

Excellent

29 Jul 2022

Dominic

Close to everything

Good place to stop by in the city, close to restaurants, cable cars, etc. A little noisy at night sometimes but not that expenssive for a hotel with a good geographical situation.
Deposit was 150$ instead of 100$.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jul 2022

Niko

Hotel Ikon was amazing! We loved how close it was located to shops, various food options and public transport. The staff were amazing and super accommodating, they even let us check in early on short notice. The room was decently sized and very clean, it was also great to have a laundry room and basic kitchen facilities to use during our stay. We will definitely be staying again on our next trip to San Fran!

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Jul 2022

Sharon

I chose this hotel for the price, and it has been upgraded since my last stay. The bed was comfortable and the place was clean. The location is safe and walkable. The desk staff folks were especially friendly.

Business_and_leisure Self

2/10

Poor

16 Jul 2022

Jason

By far the worst hotel I’ve stayed in. Walls painted over again and again, dirty towels, sink ripped from wall and hanging by a thread, crazy amounts of noise and music from long term resident in next room, just to name a few.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2022

Nancy

Fantastic!

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

29 Jun 2022

MIGUELITO

i was expecting a decent view, but instead i got nothing to look at except the back walls

Leisure Friends

2/10

Poor

02 Jun 2022

Sarah Yi Xuan

Apart from it being conveniently located, everything else was terrible. The room was noisy, you could literally hear all your neighbours at once. The vent whirred loudly every time you entered the washroom. The fan clicked each rotation it made, and there is no AC. The facility was run down, and the elevator was horribly inconvenient to use (and smells). On check out say, the counter staff said we could leave our bags there for the day, but nobody was around during check out!!! We waited an hour and the staff never came back. Top up a little more for another hotel nearby - I would NOT recommend this hotel to anybody.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 May 2022

Michael Ryan

Practical, clean, well located.

Practical, clean, well located.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 May 2022

Elena

Everything was good

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

20 May 2022

Rosario

Zero

The room overall is horrible. No air condition you have to open the windows, no window screens and you can hear the people next to your room!!
Overall the room has perfume smell the sheets the pillowcase and I’m allergic to the smells due to my problems with my lungs.

Mosquitoes are all inside the room and I got bit by a spider my whole wrist is swollen to these days and there’s bugs flying around inside my hotel so it was a nightmare for me and I will never recommend that hotel to anyone.
The way you look at it on the website looks well suited for the price that you’re paying and yet it’s not worth it it’s deceiving pictures on the website..

I stayed there one night I want a refund I exit out before 12 o’clock in the afternoon…

I can’t send you The picture of my swollen wrist arm due to spider bite the reason I know it’s a spider bite because it’s warm…

Business

8/10

Excellent

19 May 2022

Laura

Good location and staff the bad stuff is an ancient elevator and equally ancient stairs

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

18 May 2022

Marilou

Great location

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

04 May 2022

Justin

Cockroaches in the room

Not being able to control the heat is annoying but ok, not being able to use the elevator to get to the lobby is challenging and annoying but ok, having cockroaches in the room is NOT ok!!! And, when I asked for assistance, the staff said they would make a note. Not acceptable.

Business

2/10

Poor

28 Apr 2022

Verified traveler

Beware rats are here

The staff was fine and service good but had a rat in my room and before the place was cleaned the next day the hallway smelled infested too. Thankfully got a refund. It did smell like they cleaned the floors on the third floor the next day but was still musty

Business Friends

8/10

Excellent

22 Apr 2022

William

Great service

The friendliness of the desk clerk made this place! He's a treasure to the Hotel Ikon.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

16 Apr 2022

Colin

A bit run down, a bit dirty but even tho it seemed quite disorganized the staff were extremely nice and did all they could. The Netflix and smart TV advertised was a big selling point for me and the room had neither of these :( if your just looking for a cheap place to crash it’s great

2/10

Poor

26 Mar 2022

Verified traveler

Never wanna come back

Would never come again to this hotel.
Except the location, everything was awful.
The room stinks and very tiny.
The bed makes noise every time I move around.
The key is not the door-lock. Literally they give you a key in 21st century to lock the door.
Elevator is also very very outdated. You will know what I am talking about.

Business

6/10

Pleasant

25 Mar 2022

Nathaniel

6/10 Scary elevator, steep stairs, a bit noisy.

Pros:
+The building is cool and has a lot of character
+great location for my trip, close to the Moscone convention center


-the elevator is a little bit scary, but this admittedly added to the adventure and character of the hotel and could also be seen as a pro
-it’s a bit noisy, they provide earplugs so you can get to sleep, but it would be nice if they would find that chirping smoke alarm and put a new battery in it hahaha! otherwise noise level is about what you would expect in this area of the city.



Overall a mostly pleasant and relaxing expected experience, you get what you pay for after all and I was hoping to get an old building with lots of character and I got exactly that!

Business Self

4/10

Poor

28 Feb 2022

ELIZABETH

The staff is friendly and helpful. The room we had has a constant noise like a washing machine was being run. On our first night, the fire alarm rang out and we had to go downstairs and wait for the firefighters. A lady we met the next day mentioned that she was used to that already.

Business Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Feb 2022

Ella

My friend and I stayed here and it was in a great place to walk to other areas. It was affordable as well. Super vintage and a great old building to explore. They also have an old elevator. It was not the fanciest place ever but we had a great time.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

21 Feb 2022

Ramon

I liked the location!

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

20 Dec 2021

peter

This hotel met all my needs at a shockingly great price in a fantastic location. I had a room at the end of a hall, so foot traffic and people did pose noise issues; the room was clean; and there was a bathtub to stretch out after long days of walking many miles.

The water was hot, water pressure was strong, and I was able to sleep in the bed. I did find the elevator a bit alarming, but I’m able to run up and down 3 flights of stairs, and that was good for me. I LOVED the laundry facilities, and the fact the hotel was half a block from the bus stop that provided early access to the airport was a bonus.

I would stay here again if alone, but it’s not a property where I’d bring a girlfriend — it was exactly what I needed as a solo traveler.

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

08 Dec 2021

Joseph Aristeo

Should be priced lower. Elevators is broken. I injured my hand lifting my suitcase downstairs. The front desk man are young and didn’t offer to help with luggage. Loud street below.

Business_and_leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

03 Dec 2021

Cynthia Lara

Located in a great spot, super short walk to Union Square & other places.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

27 Nov 2021

Eiji

Very reasonable

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

26 Nov 2021

Brent

Note that this is a residential hotel. It was ok for 1 night in a central location but would not recommend.

Business_and_leisure Self

2/10

Poor

21 Nov 2021

Angana

Nasty dungeon

Most horrific experience in the middle of the night…..I had phone confirmation to make call to residence manager…. When I arrived midnight I tried every possible way to contact her but she wouldn’t answer!!!! Until 2.30am I was there with no success. Eventually I had to leave in dark night to search out another hotel. Next morning when I call the hotel the receptionist was yelling at me. The hotel looks like a nasty dungeon.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

19 Nov 2021

Jose

Then only thing I did not appreciate was the male staff at the front desk who was not there for 3pm check in. I even called ahead of time to let them know I’ll be there by 3pm and still waited over half an hour to get any help. I even called all the phone numbers they left for help and it took awhile to receive any assistance.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

09 Nov 2021

Juan Pablo

The friendly staff and hotel location

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Oct 2021

Shelley

Denicia at the front desk was very nice and helpful. She made the check-in and stay easy. My room was nice and spacious for the price I paid.

The location is prime for SF and I was able to be anywhere in the city within 15 minutes.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

31 Oct 2021

Michele

Loved the elevator. Son left his blanket there and they can't find it...frustrating. I would stay there again in the future

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

25 Oct 2021

Mary

No room for me at the i n n.

There was no stay when I arrived at the hotel the front desk was closed the door was locked and I could not get in I could not check into my room the reservation that I had was a non-refundable reservation and yet I couldn't even get into my room cuz there was nobody there that worked at the hotel

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2021

Annabel

It was great! It is located in Union Square. The staff is very nice and helpful. The guests are clean cut tourists or start up short stays. I would stay there again. Thank you!

Business_and_leisure Self

4/10

Poor

10 Oct 2021

Myrna liz

Muy pequeño hotel todo viejo ... no personal en el lobby hotel para check out ...

Partner

2/10

Poor

02 Oct 2021

Chris Bryant

No one was available to check me in.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

01 Oct 2021

Paul

Don't forget your key! You'll be locked out of the hotel which has decided to save $200 a night by not staffing it afterhours. There's an \"emergency number\" you can call. Nobody will pick up. Congratulations! You're now stranded in a sketchy San Francisco neighborhood at 2am.