Hotel Tropica (San Francisco, USA)

If you stay in San Francisco, you want to be 'in the thick of it' .. where everything's happening. Can't go wrong here; there's so much happening nearby and the fact that the hotel doesn't offer catering, is hardly noticed. There are so many choices nearby, it's doubtful if many guests would use a hotel restaurant!

It's sparsely furnished, but includes all the things we deem necessary - such as TV and surprisingly good WiFi. The kitchenette area is perfect if you want to prepare your own meals or snacks and the views from some of the rooms are tremendous - and free!

Everyone seems very friendly and helpful. Language may be a problem as not everyone understands much English but, with patience on your part, you'll get there in the end and find the staff to be very informative.

Rooms are very small. OK for one, but somewhat overcrowded with two people. Depending on location, there's only one small window opening on to a courtyard housing extract units from the adjacent restaurant. The hotel itself forever smells of curry!

There's no air conditioning, no daily room cleaning ... so no (much needed) changing of towels. There's no effective curtains or blinds ... and no hint that this is anything other than a hostel pretending to be a hotel!

The lack of air conditioning leads to over heating and verbally over heated exchanges coming from neighboring rooms. There's no soundproofing of course so if there is an argument going on, you almost feel part of it!