Recently spent a week at 24 Henry and we were very happy with the accommodations and reception. We needed to change rooms two times during the week because we had waited until fairly late to book and there wasn't a single room that was available for the full week, but this was not a problem. The house is on a pleasant, quiet street, near Castro but just far enough away from the bars so nice and quiet for sleeping, and we felt safe walking home at night from the MUNI and streetcar stops. Walter, the owner, and his co-workers were very friendly and talkative with guests, helpful with suggestions and directions. We spent the first night in the room that has its own bathroom and shower and the rest of the stay in rooms that had to use the washroom in the hall, but this was never a problem. This place has a cozy, welcoming character rather than looking like something chichi from a home-decor magazine, but the beds were fine and when you're out all day seeing the sights, all you need is a comfy, quiet place to sleep. The rates are also very reasonable compared with what we found at hotels and several other bed and breakfasts, so you can't expect the Fairmont.
A light breakfast (cereal, toast, muffins, coffee) is included each morning as well for those who would like to save even more money. You serve yourself and have to sit at a couch in the living room, since a table is not available. We preferred something more substantial to start our days so we usually ate breakfast at the Squat and Gobble nearby, a friendly place near Cafe Noe that serves nice omelettes and fruit, crepes, waffles, etc...
Walter has also generously included two computers in the living room for guests' use, which we found helpful for looking up sites, restaurants, etc. and he has many books and magazines on the area.
When we reserved he gave very clear, precise instructions on how to get there from the airport..easy to go on the BART train and then transfer to MUNI at Civic Center station.
There is a very nice French bistro, called L'Ardoise, just up the hill from the guest house, at Henry and Noe...which seems to be very popular..Had a delicious tarte tatin there for dessert one night, though we didn't have dinner there.
We left SF very happy with our accommodations choice and the great sleeps that we had each night. For one thing, the nice cool breeze at night in June made it great for sleeping compared to the often muggy hot nights on the east coast at this time of year!
I'd happily recommend this to others as long as you recognize not to expect four stars, but you do get a warm and friendly welcome from Walter. Thanks, Walter!

Our stay in San Francisco was touched by our stay at 24 Henry. The location, friendliness of the staff and value for money are marvellous.

We stayed here in February over the Valentines week. We booked the Mural Room, room 2. Firstly, this place is not the Ritz and you get what you pay for. I don't spend much of my time in hotels apart from needing to sleep and to shower and this place offered me what I wanted. Firstly the booking was easy and the directions from SFO to 24 Henry, very easy to follow, approx 40 mins from baggage pick up to arrival at hotel via BART & MUNI.
The hotel is in a grat location, a very quiet street, apart from the odd passing fire engine, but that made it more fun.
Walter the owner met us, lovely guy and during our stay we also met Michael, Joe and John, who all told us of some fab stories of SF and the Castro. We stayed listening to John for hours at one point forgetting to go out!
As I said, it's not the Ritz, but it is quaint, safe and you get looked after. Our flight back to uk was delalyed by 5 hours and we where still allowed to leave our bags and use shower, restroom, which you would not get in any other hotel, thanks guys.
The hotel is central for Castro and easy reach of F line Market St tram, MUNI metro inc buses.
We had no problems waiting to use shower or bathroom and met some nice people from Indiana and Richard from Brisbane?
For a week was about £400 a bargain and I would definitely return here or to the Village, Walters second guest house.
If you want to spend over $1000 in the ritz and be pampered go there, but cheap and friendly go to 24 Henry.
We was going to stay on Powell St, thank god we did not, as we would not have got any rest from the noise of the trolleys and the tourists who stay out late!

Stayed here at the winter off-season rate. See website for Jan/Feb reduced rates - look for box at bottom of reservations page. We paid significantly less than $100/night, even with the taxes. They have one room with private bath (Room 5). The other four rooms share one bath, with a separate WC out in the hall. We never had to wait for bathroom. Rooms are clean and cozy. Rooms have a TV, but no phone, safe, frig or other amenities. There is a phone in the front parlour. All rooms are on the second floor with no elevator. The included breakfast is served in the parlour all morning long until all guests are done eating. Guests can use the frig and microwave. There are two Internet computer stations in the parlour; one with a printer. Its about a 5 minute walk to Market Street. The neighborhood is quite safe. One night will be charged to your credit card when the room is reserved. Parking in the neighborhood requires a resident permit Mon-Fri 8AM-9PM if parking over 2 hours (you can't get a permit - the guest house has none to use - permits are only for true residents). There are no parking restrictions overnight or on weekends. There is a parking garage on Noe & Market, but we understand it is about $20/day. The host/owner Walter is very pleasant. He also owns a second guest house, Village House, just off of Castro Street. The two guest houses share the 24 Henry website. We would definitely stay here again.