This is the Pod Share in Marina District in San Francisco. I stayed here for 1 night and it's one of the nicer neighborhoods in SF. Let's go through pros and cons and why the 1 star off. If you're a low budget traveler, bring your own power bank and don't need to plug in a laptop or work from cafes, then this will work for you. It's about $35 a night here on a weekday.
Pros:
1. Great location at Marina District. Walkable to many northern parks and Marina District shopping/dining area. Walkable to many coffee shops and Body Temp Yoga...there were several yoga studios nearby.
2. Clean, cool, fresh vibe. It was spacious and had lots of light.
3. Outdoor garden - to relax, smoke. There is a pond and the sound of running water is so relaxing. Looks like some cruiser bikes were there either for you to borrow...not sure.
4. The common dresser area had alot of amenities such as sunblock, hair spray, aloe if you get sunburned, deodorant, hair gel, lotion, face lotion, etc.
5. Safe - the neighborhood and the tenants/guests seemed nice
6. TV at each pod - don't know if it works, I didn't use
7. Upstairs conference room for working, taking calls, I saw someone gaming in there. Also there is a TV couch lounge to work or take calls.
Cons:
1. Can't really work here unless you bring your own power. Most of the POWER OUTLETS and USB OUTLETS DO NOT WORK. I tried all in the common downstairs work area, and plugged into a few empty pods that were not mine. Tried the sofa/tv room upstairs as well. One USB outlet worked in common downstairs area.
2. There are 17 pods (beds) and 2 bathrooms. If you are waking up from 5:45a to 9:30a, you will have to wait. When I stayed, only 10 or 11 pods were occupied, and the bathroom was not accessible. I booked a yoga class nearby at Body Temp Yoga (ashtanga style). It's a 3 minute walk, just use restroom there, or figure something else out.
3. Only 1 shower inside the gender neutral restroom. There were perhaps one person who smelled of BO, like they didn't shower for a long time, and you can smell them 15 feet away. Not the fault of the Sharepod.
4. If you check in after 10p, all the lights are out. If you check in after 11pm, there are additional procedures. Just keep it in mind.
5. Parking - didn't see a parking lot. I took BART and rideshares, so not a problem for me.
6. You're in a big open room with 17 people. I rather have a place like Orange Hostel, where its 4 females to a room and 4 persons share 1 restroom. They wake up at 5:45a. If you're a light sleeper, this will not work for you. I'm a heavy sleeper and I woke up.
7. Last thing, the blanket was so small it covered only half my body. Use your coat to cover the other half. lol. At least they ran the heat in the beginning of the night and the place ran warm (even for me who likes hot yoga). It may get chilly in winter, so bring you wool layers and socks.
Will I stay here again? For the location maybe. If I can figure a better power outlet situation to charge laptop and cell phone, and access to restroom. Also, I like being closer and walkable to Financial District and Chinatown. read more