My boyfriend and I stayed at the Whiteaker Hostel while we were looking for a place to live. We camped out in the yard at the annex, and really enjoyed how mellow the house was, with a nice little living room area, big kitchen, and stuff for pancakes and oatmeal. Mac (the owner) is just about the nicest guy you'll meet, he is very friendly and was really helpful in making us feel welcome and comfortable. He's always working on the house and garden and seems to really love his work and the community. His dog Oso is also really sweet and always up for a belly scratch :) The hostel is in a good location for people who want to get downtown easily. Some people have complained about the trains, but it comes with the territory. You definitely won't find a better deal in town! read more

Great location, comfortable bedding, nice common areas, good price, outdoor area, kitchen friendly staff.. very good.

Charming and homey. Clean (far beyond my expectations for a hostel). I stayed in a private room for 3 nights in early June. On weeknights, there was no ambient noise. On weekend evenings, there was some noise til about 10 and then it quieted down, but I bet it's a lot louder in the summer. I slept very well all three nights, and I found the bed to be very comfortable. If you prefer a firmer vs. softer bed, or if you need a quieter room, let them know when you book and they will tell you which room is best. The music room has several guitars, and the first one I picked up was actually in tune. Imagine my surprise. Pretty cool. There are books and games to borrow. The staff was friendly and attentive. One of the employees asked my name and which room I was in - I appreciate that he was keeping tabs on who was around, and not allowing random people to drift through. The handsome owner, Mac, keeps the place nice, and he's good for advice about where to grab a healthy bite nearby. read more

This is a great place to stay!! Friendly helpful staff, clean, quiet bedrooms with attached restrooms and great showers, unique and eccentric, magic bullet in kitchen for folks interested in smoothie making, and the bonus of wonderful evening bonfires out back. read more

Eugene Whiteaker is unlike any hostel I've been to. There's definitely a cozy homey built-into-the-community vibe which can only be achieved by the owner's (and staff) efforts. The hostel suits the eclectic houses in the neighbourhood and the neighbourhood gives an interesting psychedelic hippy vibe that's as inviting as it is surprising. I had a great time socializing with the staff there - the hostel's more like a community than a hostel. Mac (the owner), Venecia, Brandon, Marileah (I think I got her name wrong), and Jerry. Oh man! Jerry is so cool - he speaks some profound spiritual truths - once you get past all the fantastical imagery. But a warning though, I don't think he's for everybody. Oso the dog - very cute. As for accomodations, I took the single women's dorm separate from the communal women's dorm and found the bed to be pretty squeaky. Being a late sleeper, I found it difficult to access the washroom (single w dorm connected with the communal dorm) without tiptoeing and possibly waking up the women in the communal dorm. Other than that, the hostel was an enjoyable experience. Would definitely visit again to talk to Jerry and Venecia! Very cool experience for me read more

I stayed at the Eugene Whiteaker Hostel for two nights while in town visiting the University of Oregon. As it was my first time in town, I didn't know where anything was and got the low down on where to get everything I need in the neighborhood. The hostel is very close to a natural grocery, restaurants, and a local brewery. The walls are filled with great art, and the den area was complete with foosball and a small home theater. The kitchen had everything I needed, and I especially enjoyed the breakfast in the morning. The back yard is beautiful, featuring a fire pit and open space. It turned out that I was the only person staying in the 4 bed women's dorm, so I felt like I had my own little apartment for the weekend. The bed was cozy, the shower warm, and the heater worked well. The culture of this hostel is very honest and genuine. I felt like I was there to meet a bunch of old friends. I couldn't have asked for better hosts in Eugene. The only thing I needed but didn't get on this trip was rain boots! I would recommend the Eugene Whiteaker Hostel to anyone needing a place to stay. read more

i am staying here now and i REALLY like this place. I am from san diego and was staying at the hot springs for two weeks before Oregon Country Fair but got really lonely and homesick....so i came here. first time in a hostel. I love the sense of community here, all the musical instruments...there is even a dog! i love the backyard chill zone...just a really cool experience. so very colorful. the owner is super cool as are the other guests. I would def prefer this over any hotel. i will def be here for a few nights. read more

It was a very rough experience...filth/dirt, drunk and drugged people, unprofessional staff, property and food theft, I haven't seen anything quite like this... Sad, since it was intended to be different, I think. But if you want a place where party never stops and you don't care whom you party with, perhaps you'd close your eyes on everything else. read more

Stayed here for two nights- it was very clean and everyone was extremely welcoming and kind. There is beautiful art everywhere, a cool patio area to hangout and the room was comfortable and a perfect place to crash during the block party this year. Will return!! read more

Most definitely not my best experience at a hostel. We rented a private room that wasn't really private. You have to walk through a dorm room to get to it and the shared bathroom is in the dorm room....that is not a private room. The room also REEKED of sweat and B.O. The bed was the worst bed I've ever slept on, I'd rather sleep on the ground. It slopes down to the middle and is very loud and lumpy. Also the "organic breakfast" is whole oats or Krusteaz pancake mix (not even prepared batter). Also, they charge for coffee and there is no cream/half and half. Lastly, they wanted to charge us $5 for a towel!!! WHO DOES THAT?? I've never brought my own towel to a hostel; it's pretty much a given that they are provided for free. Lots of letdowns at this place. We won't be back. read more

The Whiteaker hostel was way cool. The staff was friendly, accommodations comfortable, and the neighborhood can't be beat with its variety of breweries and restaurants all within walking distance. The hostel actually owns two locations very close to each other (I've stayed at both) and they are each unique and great in their own ways, just depending on the experience you want. If you're looking to socialize with other travelers, I would recommend Hostel Oz, whereas if you're looking for more privacy and quiet, The Garden Hostel. I thought the owner, Mac, was a cool dude and he really looks out for his guests. And with free pancakes, how can you beat it? read more

Clean, safe, affordable. Good neighbors. I wish the owner ran the state, because the man knows how to get work out of stoners.

Great place to stay short term or long term. Clean rooms, great welcoming people, and a really cool vibe throughout the whole building. Beautiful art everywhere. Thoroughly enjoyed my stay here. Will return read more

Courteous staff, but shared bathroom in female rooms was dingy and the tub was backed up. For the price tho it's an OK place

We travel with a little trailer, so we stayed at The Garden, where we were able to park right out front (and still pick up a wifi signal!). The hostel and gardens are very cute, we loved the ivy arches and veggie gardens, and all of the sweet paintings and art hanging from the trees. The management is very friendly and helpful. There are a variety of options for housing and they are all very affordable. The facilities were clean, the neighborhood is fun and funky, and there are plenty of great restaurants, breweries, and cafes nearby. The Garden hostel seems to be a little more quiet and guests seemed more private than at the Whittaker hostel, which is right around the corner. Whittaker hosts a potluck every week, and it is a larger space with music room, poker table, and bigger kitchen, which is a great space for community gatherings and making connections with fellow travelers. As like most hostels, expect to meet some characters and keep your heart and mind open and you will certainly have a good time. read more

Had a great time in a great space with great people. Free breakfast and good facilities in an interesting neighbored, highly recommended!

Horrible place: the hostel was full of people who weren't paying guests and were living for free in exchange for doing chores, they were smoking certain stuff and drinking all day, harassing paying guests; by their own admission they had zero money to move out. At the same time, some of them acted as the most arrogant 'hister wannabes'. Alcohol was just flowing. Noise at night was unstoppable. Also, some paying guests (there weren't many at all) were of the same variety; during my stay, the cops were called twice on guests. There was also one theft. Single travelers, especially women, beware. This is not a hostel for international or US travelers who want safety; this is, in fact, a shelter. read more

A very comfortable stay last week. Steve was a great host. Great potluck on Sundays.

Staying at the Whitaker Hostel was a really great experience. I met some really cool people. The staff felt like they new friends, too--and kept the whole vibe really pleasant and friendly. Particularly, I enjoyed the atmosphere because it felt like a mini family. Even though people were coming and going, it was full of energy and good vibes. What else can I say? it was clean, comfortable, reasonably priced. I stayed in a variety of rooms--because I stayed at the second house, located a short walk from the main house. The Sunday potluck dinners were lots of fun and jam sessions were excellent. I rented a bike quite a few days which was nice to get out and see Eugene. Overall, I had a great time here and would recommend it to everyone. read more

This was my first experience in staying in a hostel and I must say I was extremely pleased with the Whitaker hostel in Eugene. The staff were amazing from the minute we arrived to the day we left. Mac and Steve were so helpful in making our stay a good one. We met several people also at the hostel and they were also very kind throughout our stay. I am so glad we chose the Whitaker hostel for our weeks stay. It was truly a Eugene experience!!!! I would highly recommend it to anyone. Again thanks to the staff for making our week a truly enjoyable one. read more

well another stay at whiteaker hostel on 970 w. 3rd in my travel's, booked a dorm style bed for 2 nights. but changed to private room with private bath, just had to pay a extra $ 20 for up grade room, nice warm room, i had a good sleep. second day transfer to the other hostel on 170 monroe, for a test run with a private room and shared bath never stayed there before the room wasn't ready yet. when they said it was, there's no microwave to cook your food. computer is not tuned up it's slower than hell, they had some dude staying in there that said i couldn't sit where i wanted to sit. he even told me to turn the radio down, i've never had that told to me before at a hostel. most people would tell me to turn it up. some up tight weirdo hippy, i thought they were suppose to be laid back especially at a hostel. my room was warm and quiet. i will never stay at the hostel on monroe again. the one on 970 w. 3rd is alot better. read more

Had horrible experience staying there. The hostel is essentially a homeless shelter that charges the price of a hotel room for no service and shady situation. Being a paying guest there is actually the way to get insulted and harassed by deadbeat "employees" (people who "work" there in exchange for free dorm bed). These deadbeats were found around the hostel badmouthing paying guests or engaging in bigoted conversations making "gay jokes" (knowing guests can hear them), jokes insulting to guests due to their minority status. The cops were called twice during 10 days, plus a very drunk guest harassed a single female traveler. For the price they charge fora private room one could get a hotel room in Eugene area, especially with a hotel coupon or doing weekly rate. The "service" included filthy bedsheets with someone's hair and bread crumbs all over them (had to walk to the main building late and get new bedding and change the bed), layer of dust, old junk plus spiders under the bed in one room (one of the spiders ended up in my sock and bit me) and filthy stinking carpet in another private room, my food being thrown out twice, while, at the same time, no space was made in the fridge for paying guests while the fridge was full of old rotting junk some of which had been left to rot there for months, NO internet service in the 2nd building (was not possible to open google maps or gmail, it was so slow). Dorms were smelling like sweat as people didn't shower at all, apparently. One of the employees had their pack stolen from the dorm they slept in. The couches were stinking as various dogs slept on them and never cleaqned and if you sat on these couches your clothes would smell really bad. One of the homeless "employees" tried to harass me apparently being envious that I could afford private room, trying to prohibit me from using my own teapot, accusing me falsely of "stepping on tea strainer" and saying that I was showing off by doing my engineering work in a hostel -!!--(this is what paid for the room, by the way), or by buying $2 piece of meat to feed a hungry dog as apparently he couldn't afford it for himself and he thought it was unfair for me to feed the dog but not him, this person also made bigoted joke. In general half of the "workers" there were unfriendly and unhelpful, not ever bothering with a simple hello for entering guest, etc. Wow, it was bad. read more

This place is comfortable, warm, and staff are very accommodating. It feels as though they are glad you are there and genuinely want to help you enjoy your trip. I slept on 2 different beds in separate 2 bedroom suites and they were both very comfortable and clean. The vibe is welcoming and there is beautiful art everywhere, and lots of instruments to play with. They have dorm-style and also more private accomodations, for those who want complete quietude. They charge $1 for delicious coffee (cheaper than in a cafe) and there's free oatmeal with fixin's, as well as a full kitchen to cook if you desire. They have a computer to browse the web and a printer as well, lots of books and games. The owner is incredibly helpful for points of interest or anything you may need. Its also within walking distance to tons of tasty restaurants and nightlife, as well as a beautiful park. Great for any kind of traveler looking to get a taste of Eugene. read more