I'm from California and it was my first time staying at a Hostel of any kind and I had a very pleasant experience. I was traveling on a budget to Boston for the very first time and Hostel International seemed to be the best bang for my buck. All The facilities worked and were clean. The room I stood in was a 6 bed male dorm. I had no issues with my bed or the other guys in the room. If your planing to take advantage of the free breakfast my advice is to either get there just before 7 am or after 8. The chaos that's involved with a free breakfast is nothing you want to get in the middle of. I would stay in another HI property when traveling alone no problem. I would avoid it if you are traveling with a significant other that requires the privacy and luxuries that would come with a standard hotel room. -Cheers. read more

HI Boston Hostel - 6 bed male dorm. Very tight spaces but it does the job. - Hostels Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Many people may wince when they hear someone mention staying at a hostel. But let me tell you that the Boston Hostel is a great place to lodge. About eight years ago, this hostel relocated to this Downtown spot around the corner from Chinatown, the theater district, and Boston Commons. Harvard Medical Center is kitty corner. Hopefully, you won't need it. It's within walking distance to the Waterfront District, the New England Aquarium, Boston Convention and Exhibitions Center, and, one of my favorite buildings, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The hostel is in a great location. Anything further way, you can catch the train. This hostel really stands out the others in Boston, and around the US, in that it is still relatively new, the architects did an excellent job making it a fun space to socialize in when you want to stay indoors, and a welcome space away from home. The entire place is clean, and they make security their priority to help you feel comfortable. The kitchen and dining area is open and bright with ample room for many to prepare a meal. If you're looking for a quiet space to hang out but don't want to spend it in your dorm room, there are quiet cubby-hole spaces to chill out and read, take a nap in a cozy chair, or surf the next. They have a small conference room that can be reserved. If you need ideas for exploring the city, they offer up daily activities you can do alone or with a group. If you're lucky enough to stay there when their free tour of Harvard is, don't miss this opportunity. The guy giving the tour is amazing and makes it informative and fun. You'll get your steps in for the day. There are so many perks to staying here, if I listed all of them, this review would be much longer than it already is. read more

I love staying at hostels since it's always located in a pretty convenient place, for a fraction of the cost a hotel in that area would be. My flight got in at 4:30am, and although check in was at 4PM, I decided to see if they had any beds open. They didn't but the person working the desk was really kind. They let me hang out in the lobby (wifi & outlets) and they told me I could shower & store my luggage if I wanted to. Since they didn't have a bed for me, I got bumped up for the premium dorms (4 people) for free so that's nice! 1. Clean, modern looking - think college dorms. 2nd floor was the kitchen/common areas where you can hang out 2. Showers, each suite (3-4 rooms) had a few showers - single. They provide you with a towel and had some soap in the shower, but bring your own if you can. 3. Beds - clean sheets, blankets, and two pillows. They have a good sized locker, easily fit my backpack. Just bring your own lock! 4. Free tours! I didn't get to participate in any, but they have a calendar of events 5. LOCATION! right by Chinatown and walking distance from Boston Commons Overall, it's a great price and since I never really stay in the hotel room when I travel anyway, this wasn't that big of a deal. It does get a little noisy in the morning, but that's just what happens when you don't have your own room. I would recommend this place if you're looking to save money and still stay at a clean place. read more

You guys, this place is amazing. I couldn't go to Boston unless I could do it on the cheap, and this hostel made it possible. Here's the thing, though: not only is it cheap, but it's REALLY NICE! It's new, it's clean, it's quiet, and it's in a great location with easy access to transit. I'm so glad I stayed here. I especially loved the comfy and beautiful lobby, the free wifi and free breakfast, and the plentiful private bathrooms. I stayed in a 6-person room with 5 strangers, and the only downside is the fact that the beds are really creaky. Make sure you use the restroom before you settle in for the night, because whenever anyone came or went out of the room, beds would creak as people woke up and shifted in bed. Bringing earplugs and an eye mask definitely helps. It's so awesome that each bed has its own plug (for charging your tech) and desk lamp (for when everyone else has gone to sleep but you need to read). Worried about being the only person over 30 there? Most of the hostellers were twentysomethings, but I managed to find some fellow 30+ folks to chat with, including a 58-year-old marathon runner from Amsterdam. Very awesome. I appreciated that there was an HI staffer in the lunch room each morning to answer people's questions about things to do and how to get around. I believe his name was Aaron, and he helped me figure out how to get to Allston on the T, and showed me on a map where the Freedom Trail went. I went on the Beacon Hill and Back Bay walking tour that he led on Sunday morning, and really enjoyed it! That tour was definitely worth going on; he shared a lot of great information. He also gave us a pro tip that the winter rates at the hostel are much less than what we paid in summer, so I really hope to be back soon. read more

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Very clean and the staff is friendly. Steps from Orange and Green T stops. Lots of good, cheap food within a block. Multiple coffee shops within a short walk, too. I was impressed, and our gang of church teenagers liked it, too. Breakfast is included but it's pretty spare- toast, cereal, yogurt, some tired apples, instant oatmeal, milk, coffee and OJ. Lacking good fruit and protein, though not wholly lacking, see list. It's fine for free, but don't expect much. read more

I give a lot of thanks to Aaron for taking time to go over with me all the sites to see in Boston. He was really helpful and friendly and i really appreciated him taking the time to talk with me on Thursday morning. On a separate note, Im not sure what the issue is with distributing towels but i had been told at 4am that i couldn't have a towel. I would have requested one at 9pm but the line to talk to a staff was ten people long for over a half hour so i figured it wasnt that big of a deal and I would just try in the morning. Ok that was really my only issue. Every thing here was really nice and I appreciated all of the hospitality read more

HI Boston Hostel - The 5th floor - Hostels Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Only thing I'd say missing was a computer station. Front desk will print for you but they're busy so just adding to their work load. read more

Clean spacious safe great for Students and folks on a budget Like the helpful staff

Excellent spot. 1) If you want to enjoy your stay in Boston and are here solo. This hostel is right for you. 2) The lounge is fantastic. Great place to relax. 3) Just bring a lock, they provide the locker, but not the lock. read more

what you wanna know: SAFE (most importantly) someone is always at the desk 24/7 has wifi but kinda weak HELLA bathrooms and showers to use they do have lockers HUGE kitchen area GREAT prices FREE cookies! (trust me its amazing) they provide sheets great location (near bars and near the T subway) which will get you everywhere Negatives weak wifi My story: so i had messed up my flight dates and had to cancel the day before, luckily it was hassle free and no charge! pluse the girl on the phone (reace i believe) was really nice and made it easy for me. when i arrived i was greeted my nice and friendly (Melissa i think and a dark haired girl) really nice and got me on my way. TIP: before you go on any tours they have a wall with TONS of free tours INCLUDING boston lager factore yes free! so check it out first! my stay here was pain free and most importantly it was in a safe area and they made it safe, definitely a good place to stay in. read more

This reminds me of a 70's style dorm. Lots of winding halls...kind of a subtle mildew smell... Not a modern HI location at all...but I think they've picked up on this as they are opening up a new location in the Downtown area... However, I did appreciate the free breakfast (bagels, coffee, cereal, yogurt) and courteous staff. I also really liked the location (close to the T and Berklee...very short walk to restaurants, cafes, Boston Public Library, Fenway park, etc). They have free WiFi (lobby only), cool events (free beer tasting at local breweries, tours of Fenway park)...but horrible water pressure in the showers and we did kill a few bugs in our room. read more

Great location! The doors were incredibly loud and slammed shut, making it hard for light sleepers to sleep through the night. The amenities were nice, and the staff was pleasant. read more

Third hostel I've stayed at and easily the best one. The place is rather new and has amazing features. Free wifi, big open kitchen, free breakfast, free cookies, free tours and movie nights, right next to Chinatown and Theater district and a T stop. Short walk to the Boston Commons. The people at the front desk were really nice. Bathrooms were full sized. I know they had rooms that were handicap accessible because my room was right next to one. Had breakfast with one of my roommates and had a wonderful time. If I'm ever staying solo in Boston again I'm staying here without a doubt. The light and cubby hole with access to power outlets for each bunk bed was so convenient. Honestly, everything was great! read more

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I was advised to stay in this hostel, to which I first looked at with fear. I had no idea of what to expect, as I was raised as a hotel dweller. In my safe cocoon, that my parents kept me under. Needless to say I decided to go for it after much research for these short reasons. It's cheap, it's at a great location for the price, and it's a new experience to...experience! Being the fool that I was, I did not write down specific instructions on how to get there from the nearest T station, but I managed to stumble into the place safely. I had forgotten to buy a lock for my belongings, but the clerk was able to accommodate that for a few dollars! After being briefed on the facility and it's policies, I was assigned a room and darted towards it as I was in need of sleep. The place fit all my needs. There was all you could want: free breakfast, amenities, decent beds, showers, and all that jazz. The only negative experience I had there was with the awful wi-fi, which was incredibly slow even at the dining room floor. Thankfully I didn't need the internet, or I would have lost my mind. There are a lot of places to eat, shop, and have fun in around the area. It's secure, open 24 hours, and is a steal compared to all the other hostels/hotels in Boston. Being the first hostel experience of my life, I now prefer them on every trip! I have a feeling I'll be back. read more

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I'm a pretty stuck up New Yorker studying towards my masters at Harvard. This place exceeded my expectations and I would not at all feel like I was slumming it if I stay here again. It is now an option. read more

HI Boston Hostel - Lobby - Hostels Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I booked via Hotels.com for 4 days (Su-Th). I called the day before to let them know I was coming the day after my booking (Monday instead of Sunday). My flight landed Monday morning, and I promptly went to the hotel to check in. They told me they couldn't check me in because I didn't check in on the day of booking. Then they told me the room would be ready at 4PM and to check in then. I asked to get a refund for the first day in that case, they told me to ask when I came back because that's when the manager would be in. I came back later in the day to find out that they cancelled my reservation fully as a no-show. I told them I called and they said "Well you didn't talk to me!" (As if that was a justification saying that I didn't call). Then they said "You should have called Expedia per the booking! (I didn't book through Expedia, I booked through Hotels.com!). So anyway, I am out of a room now and have to find different accommodations. On top of this, I am trying to get a refund from Hotels.com but HI hotel is not answering the phone, they are hindering the refund process. Please stay away from this place. read more

Even when asking the staff about luggage storage, no one mentioned the need for a lock. In the time it took to come downstairs and buy one, someone had stolen some of my things. (Obviously I had my valuables in a smaller bag with me, but dragging all the luggage back and forth for this is not reasonable.) The staff was entirely unsympathetic when I told them what happened. They didn't even answer my two first emails about what happened, and only answered when I mentioned I'd report the theft. Even then they only sent a snarky reply blaming me. I hope nothing happens to you here, because you will not get any help. read more

Stayed here for a couple of nights in September with family. This was my first time in a hostel and I enjoyed it a lot. We had our own queen room with a bath/shower, and did our cooking/dining in a common kitchen on the 2nd floor. There was also a game room, pool table, etc. for folks to hang out and socialize in. The place appeared to host a mix of students, travelers, business folks, etc. from all over the world. I loved listening to the chatter of different accents and languages at mealtime. Had some nice chats with a variety of folks. It cost about two-thirds the price of an average Boston hotel. I may not make it back to this hostel, but will definitely try another one on my next vacation. read more

My mom and I stayed in a private room for 5 nights and it was a very good experience. My mom is also a very picky person when it comes to hotels and she was impressed upon walking in. The room was huge and had a bathroom with a walk in shower. The bed looked like a futon at first and I was worried it would be uncomfortable, but it was perfect for me and the pillows were also soft. The bed worked for me, who likes softness and my mom who likes firm. The streaming services were spotty - it was difficult to have a movie playing without it stopping. So I guess the wifi was having trouble. We are from Florida so we had to learn the hard way, if you want to cool down the room, don't turn on "cool" because there's no ac unit for winter months. Basically we kept heat on. I picked a hostel because I knew it would be walking distance from transportation and such, this one is located in Chinatown of Boston. Perfect for finding a bite to eat and very close to the T. It was fun staying here. Will do it again! read more

HI Boston Hostel - Hostels Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I arrived at this hostel on Monday and stayed for two nights. I had come to Boston to meet up with friends that were here in the States for the summer. The hostel is located just a 5 minute walk west of the Boston South Station, very convenient to get to. To my surprise, they allowed me to check in early since my room was already prepared! I thought that I would need to wait until 4 P.M before I could get in. When I got into my room, it was very clean. There are lockers between beds, so it gives you a little privacy if you need it. The room itself is cozy and has tight quarters, but it's comfortable to be in. What's better than that is, even though you have a shared dorm, you have a (somewhat) private shower! It's not the shared shower room that many hostels have! The only thing I didn't like about my room was the stairs leading to the top bunk. They were extremely narrow and dug into my feet. This is very painful if you're trying to climb into your bed after a long day of walking around and enjoying what the city has to offer. I recommend keeping your sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, etc on until you get to the top, and then kick them off! At 12:30 PM there was a walking tour being given. The guide was very good and caused me to remember specific areas about Boston. Even better than that, I met two people that I truly enjoyed (one from New Zealand and one from Germany)! I hope that I can have a lasting friendship with them. All in all, I would stay here the next time I'm in Boston. read more

HI Boston Hostel - The entrance to Hosteling International- Boston - Hostels Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

*boop beep beep boop* (At least one in six people in the world have stupid ringtones.) *daaddaaada daadi daa daa* (There are six beds in a hostel room.) *bee bleeetee booop brooooooooong* (It's 2 freaking am...) read more

I cannot say enough about this place. Seriously, I almost never, ever give 5 full stars, but in this case HI Boston deserves the full-five as a full service hostel to people of all ages. Yes, I know, when you think of hostels you think smelly sheets and bed bugs right? This is the first hostel I've ever stayed at and it's cleaner than many other hotels I've been in. The environment of this place is very casual, but also professional. Here's the skinny: --A full service kitchen: It's on the first floor so that you can prepare anything you want to your heart's content. They have toasters, stoves and an oven, a huge refrigerator, mini Foreman grills and shelf space for your own snacks (sticker labels are provided for your food). They serve free breakfast from 7-10 am that I hear is pretty good (though I've not been able to make it on time...). They have bagels, cream cheese, jams, tea, coffee and milk. I think someone also told me that they have muffins. So far I've had their coffee and make my own breakfast when I finally get out of bed but coming from a Starbucks or Peets's coffee addict--the brew is pretty good here. So far, I don't have to run to Starbucks around the corner. Vending machines and cold water fountain also in sitting area. TV and an array of area newspapers/mags at your disposal. --Lobby: Yes they have wireless but for those traveling sans laptops, there are pay by the hour/minute PCs that you can use. Also, there are cool massage chairs that you can sit in after a long hard day's trekking of the town. More books to browse through (in a variety of languages...) --Rooms: Upon checking in you get a spiffy pair of sandals for those of us who like to keep their tootsies germie-free. You also get a towel and a key card to get into your room. The latter two you can get as many times as you need. They are pretty good about replacing towels and key cards. The room I am in is not co-ed and has 2 sets of bunk beds so there are 4 of us. You get a pretty large locker next to the beds which can fit a moderately sized roller duffel bag (mine is a pink Samsonite-- it's pretty big and still fits in there!). Anyway, it helps to bring your own locks but you can purchase one at the lobby. --Bathrooms: CLEAN! Showers come with shampoo/body wash gel dispensers. There are different types of bathrooms on the floors, and lots of them so in case one is occupied you just walk a few more doors down and will most likely find one. Again, they are cleaned throughout the day, so that's a plus! --Common Areas: Aside from the lobby and the eating/kitchen areas each level has a sitting area with pretty comfy couches and some mags for your reading pleasure. Good place to meet people. Public phones abound in these areas as well in case you need them. --Location: This place is pretty centrally located. The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is very close so you can wander this huge museum all you want and then walk around the Fenway pond/park area to see the ducks. Closer to the hostel is also Newbury street and lots of shopping and cafes. Of course there is a Whole Foods minutes away from the hostel and my favorite yoga studio (see my Back Bay Yoga review) right around the corner. What more could you ask for?Oh, and for the culturally minded, in addition to the MFA there is the Boston Conservatory and Boston Symphony also minutes' walking. Of course, for those shopping minded folks, there is the ever popular Prudential center with some mall-staple stores (Gap, L'Occitane, etc) and Barnes and Noble. --People: The people that work at HI Boston are awesome! They are so nice and accommodating that it's really easy to make friends with them as well as the other hostel dwellers. The manager, Ralph is not only a really great manager, but also very approachable and such a nice guy! No wonder this place rocks!. Above all, this place really caters to people of all ages, there isn't a stereotypical hostel demographic here at all. The other good thing is that the people who work here also have a bunch of resources for any type of activity you want to do while in Boston and they even have weekly activity flyers posted. Overall, I rate HI Boston as an excellent place to stay not only for the price ($36-40 per night) but also because of the experience. It's a traveler's sanctuary when you are alone and don't know the city. Have fun!! read more

I stayed here for another week, because my former roommate mediated conflict by yelling really loud. Thanks for the memories, I am out of here. So after a few days of coach surfing, I came here to buy some time while I found a new place. This time I knew what I was getting into which made the idea of staying in a hostel for a week or so less stress full. Things to bring: A small locker lock Ear plugs to ward off snoring, cell phones, and drunken singing Hot water bottle (in winter) Flip flops and slippers A towel and robe if you have room to pack it Tips: When your sleeping keep your key card under your pillow, so you don't have to search for it half asleep and in the dark. Buy food and cook in the kitchen to save money. You don't need to buy breakfast food unless you are picky. They have a decent breakfast served every morning with coffee. You can't keep booze here, but there a bunch of bars nearby. Use the small bathrooms to shower. Keep your registration paper and your key card in a separate pocket, this makes it easy to find and helps ensure your key card does not get demagnetized. read more

I love this place! You can stay here for a week and still not pay as much as you would nightly at hotels. When you arrive, they assign you to a room and bed (which I like since no one has to fight over the good view; it's just luck). They give you shower flip-flops and if you don't have a lock for the storage lockers, they'll provide you with one for 4 dollars. On your bed sits a towel, blanket, and an extra sheet to use. If you're on the top bunk, be careful with the ladder. One of my roommates fell flat on her butt after climbing down. They're a bit tricky. On the bottom floor, there is the lobby, computer room, TV room, dining room, and kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with two stoves, two refrigerators, three George Foreman grills, a microwave, and lots of pots, pans, and utensils. If you plan on getting groceries instead of going out to eat to save money, check out the free shelf in the kitchen. That may save you a few cents. Whole Foods is 0.4 miles away, Trader Joes is 0.3 miles away, and there's a convenience store right around the corner. The location is superb! You can see shows at Berklee and Boston Conservatory, both of which are very close. The Hynes Convention Center T-stop is close as well; just cross the street twice and you're there. With all the money you're saving by staying at a hostel, you can splurge a little on Newbury Street, which again, is very close. The rooms are, well, what do you expect? It can be a little cramped and it's a bit hard to sit straight up if you're on the bottom bunk but it's certainly doable. The beds are of good quality and the blankets they give you are cozy. There's wireless internet but it wanes in and out on the top floor. The best connection is in the dining room, specifically next to the piano and window. If you use the computers in the lobby, it's 10 cents a minute with a 2 dollar minimum deposit. read more

HI Boston Hostel - Hostels Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Expensive for a hostel (50-60/night in 6 person shared room). But that's central Boston. Very very clean. Included towel and soap/shampoo. Nice that showers and bathrooms we're individual rooms although shared. Also doors tended to slam so was kind of loud. Could hear above people walking around. Free breakfast and free events or low cost tours. read more

Staying here was my first hostel experience, and it turned out to be a good one. This hostel is in a great, central location. You're just off Mass. Ave., which means you can take the 1 bus, or the T subway to get to Cambridge (MIT/Harvard). To get here from Boston Logan Aiport, you take the Blue Line to the Green Line. The excellent access to public transportation means you'll save big since you won't need a taxi. I recommend getting the 7-day all transit pass for $15. The hostel was clean, and well-equiped. You may have the misfortune of getting a snoring person in your room -- if so, you should see if they are able to switch your room. We did this after the first night, and were able to sleep peacefully the rest of the trip. They also have a good kitchen/dining area, as well as an internet cafe. You can use free wi-fi as well (it works best downstairs). We met some cool fellow travelers and had drinks with them. That was really the best part about staying at the hostel. Overall, a great value. read more

Like staying in a hotel with three laid-back strangers. And that's a good thing. The price is very fair considering the other lodging choices you have in downtown Boston. They give you free wifi, and a free continental breakfast; but that phrase doesn't do it justice. Hard-boiled eggs, fresh bread, peanut butter, jams, cereal, oatmeal, milk, coffee, orange slices, it's a feast that other hotels would charge $15 for. Free. There are many community areas and events/tours that you can participate in. Located in Chinatown, virtually everything is accessible by train (station is two blocks north), or walking. Boston Common is minutes away, with plenty of restaurants in the area as well. It's very akin to a dormitory, but without alcohol and partying going on. It's great. I would choose to stay here again even if I wasn't traveling alone, I can't recommend it more. Don't hesitate, this is no movie hostel. It's a hotel called a hostel. read more

The athmosphere is welcoming and the front desk staff are very nice. There are some social areas that are nice to meet new travelers and roomates, if you book a 6 bed dorm, are safe and kind. The cleanliness was also impressive. You'll love it here. read more

Let me start by saying this is the nicest, cleanest hostel I've ever been to. I came to Boston for a 2 day trip, and had business around the Chinatown area. Incredibly, there's a hostel right next to Chinatown, on the nicer side, that charges $70 a night compared to the 200+ for a hotel room in the same area. The location is super convenient, 1 block away from the subway, 3 blocks from Boston Common, and there's lots of good food around Chinatown. I got in early Sunday morning; they can't check me in until 3pm, but they let me store my bag in the back room for free. I hung out and napped in the lobby lounge area for most of the day. The couches are really comfortable. There's free wifi and electrical outlets. It was a really hot day and I can check out the sexy Bostonians through the huge windows out front, while enjoying the air conditioning inside. On Friday and Saturday nights, it gets crazy when the bars and clubs around there let out: drunk and rowdy people everywhere. Most of the people staying there were teenagers from Europe and South America. We watched a few games of the World Cup on the big projector screen. There are organized trips around Boston, and movie nights and club nights, but I didn't participate in those activities. The rooms are small and shared between 4 to 6 people; you're not suppose to spend any time there other than sleeping. There are lockers in the room, but you have to bring your own lock. Sheets are clean, and there are outlets on each bunk for charging your phone. Your roommate may be a snorer, so be prepared for that. There is 1 bathroom for every 2 shared rooms. The bathrooms are single occupancy and can be locked when you use it. There is a stack of clean towels and a soap dispenser in the shower. It is amazingly clean. No stray hairs, no trash, no stains, it's cleaner than the bathroom in my own apartment. The toilet paper is so soft, it's clear they didn't skimp out and buy the cheap stuff. There's free breakfast served in a dorm-style cafeteria, which is rare for a hostel. I know that this hostel is brand new, so everything is still in great shape. I hope they can keep up the same level of maintenance in the future. read more

I cannot stress the quality of this hostel enough. I had to go to Boston for a conference and refused to pay $300 a night so I stayed here. I paid around $40 a night instead. The hostel is new. As per one of the employees there, the Hostel moved locations and the whole building was re-done from the inside. It is a VERY nice looking hostel. When I booked, the old pictures were still up and no new pictures were taken. Take a look at them now-the hostel is very clean and modern. Very IKEA. Modern and youthful- I like it! Free breakfast is decent-don't expect anything too fancy and you're good. I was very grateful to get a free meal every day. The kitchen is huge so one can cook is so inclined. The hostel is in Chinatown and there are great food options nearby. Hong-Kong eatery has amazing roast duck! The kitchen has tons of fridge space to store leftovers and such- as long as food items are appropriately labeled. The rooms are, like most hostel, dorm-room style. They are exceptionally clean, and a locker comes included. There is a little nook for every bed with outlets and a light. Makes for very cozy accommodations. The hostel sets up social events too. I took advantage of this one night and did not regret it. People at hostels are really friendly! Also, it is very easy to get around Boston from the hostel-multiple subway stations are just a short walk away from the hostel. Makes it super easy to get out and explore! I loved this hostel. I loved hanging out in the lounge and people watch from the windows when I had some downtime. Unlike staying at a hotel, it felt "homey" here. I don't know why but it just did. Looking forward to more hostels in the future! read more

This is an update I write with a heavy heart because HI Boston is really a great place to stay. The update to my review has more to do with the staff's apathy for the security of my things than the overall stay. I arrived in Boston early on a Saturday morning and was able to check in my duffel bag for free in the back store room. I needed my backpack for other items and instead of asking the staff to check that bag, I decided to just pay the $3 to lock that bag in one of the automated lockers. When I returned around 2PM, the locker had an "Out of Service" sign on it. I asked the front desk staff person why the sign was there and without much confidence tells me everything is fine. When I went to open the locker my backpack was missing! I returned to the front desk where again the same associate told me that "PROBABLY" a staff person saw the locker didn't close and took my backpack out. This is absolutely unacceptable. For 5 very long minutes I tried to not have a panic attack about my stolen backpack and the absolute lack of concern from the staff. Finally another associate took my backpack out of their store room and said my locker hadn't closed and the staff it took it out earlier. No sign, no note, and no apology. I felt like a total idiot as the staff treated me like I was making a big deal out of NOT BEING TOLD MY BACKPACK WAS TAKEN OUT AND POSSIBLY STOLEN. I question the decisions and choices made by this staff. I normally don't place too high of a value on items but the lack of response was jarring. And it made me think twice about the safety of my belongings and my overall safety. When I was ready to finally check out, I asked the staff if I could store my bags for free in their luggage room as I no longer felt comfortable leaving my stuff in lockers that don't close. The woman declined and said I could pay her $3 and she could store my things in their back room. Total nonsense. Again, no apology and no acknowledgement about what happened. What is supposed to happen the day several lockers don't close properly and several guests find their stuff missing? Is the staff just going to shrug it off? Absolutely do not recommend staying in a place where the staff has no concern about customer service or the safety of guests' belongings. read more

Pfft what a rip. Look into staying at a hotel if there is more than two of you. The hostel is nice, clean and modern but that is all you are going to get. They do not have a 'hostel attitude' and it is purely a cash grab, it is more like a poorly run hotel. If you don't mind an older Hostel stay at the backpackers hostel and pub, it is further out but the atmosphere there is a million times better. read more

This is by far my favorite hostel! I rave about it pretty much any chance I get. Rooms and facilities are very clean. I love the retro chic lobby area, too. Not to mention, I always get to meet the friendliest folks here. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I've since been living in Boston but I would come back to stay here in a heartbeat! read more

This hostel is a located on a side street and within walking distance from the T. Good option if your tight on money, and not looking for frills and the lap of luxury. The beds remind me of summer camp as a kid, lumpy umcomfortable mattress, and feeling the springs in my back. They offer internet, but don't expect connection like DSL or Cable, there is poor connection as everyone is using it. No food options in the hostel, but plenty of food all around the neighborhood. There is an entertainment room with un-matching couches, a broken big screen tv (at least it was in June), and but you can not get internet access in the room either. read more

If you are looking for an all-night party, this is your place. This hostel seems to attract a very different crowd than the pleasant, considerate and respectful guests who care about the travel at the many other hostels I've stayed at. Last night I didn't get to sleep until 1 AM, because a dorm next door was blasting music, and a woman in my dorm was playing with her phone in bed with the phone on the brightest setting. The strong light reflected off the floor-length mirror and made it tough to sleep. When at last I got up and mentioned this to her, she let out a huge annoyed sigh and rolled over! Needless to say, staff did nothing to enforce quiet hours. Given the good reviews, I was surprised that some obvious things common in other hostels are missing. For example, there's no door drafts on room doors, so light and noise from the hall floods in beneath the doors. The key cards are obnoxious in an age when everyone else has switched over to keypads. Cards scan poorly, and having to take one with you everywhere, even to the bathroom in the middle of the night, gets old fast. Don't know why this hostel is so behind the curve on this. The doors are very heavy, so much so that it's nearly impossible to shut them quietly, even when you're trying. Expect to wake up every time someone uses the bathroom across the hall or opens your room door, even if you're using earplugs as I did. While this hostel looks nice, is clean, and has quite a few amenities, it falls far short of others I've stayed at. I only stayed here because my preferred place was booked up. I will not be coming back, not even for a single room. read more

It would be hard to overstate how great this hostel is. MissP's review below is pretty definitive, but for those intimidated by the sheer length of her prose, here's a more concise summation: I've stayed here four times, and each time it was a pleasure. This is by far the best hostel in the Boston area (and I've stayed at three others, for at least a week each), and probably the best I've been to anywhere. The staff is great; they're friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable, and they're always listening to cool music. The location is fantastic: A block from the T (green line), two blocks from Newbury Street, mere seconds from Boylston Street. The rooms are clean, and come with decent-sized lockers (BYO lock, though)... I've never had more than three roommates at a time. The bathrooms are clean, too. There's a full kitchen, including a range, microwave, fridge, an assortment of pots and pans, toasters, etc. They offer a complimentary continental breakfast every morning, free wi-fi, the Boston Globe and other papers, laundry facilities, and a big-screen TV with an extensive DVD library. There are plenty of activities offered to those who are interested. Honestly, I can't think of anything about this hostel that's anything less than superb. Safe, clean, convenient, fun, and chock full of amenities, this is THE place to stay in Boston if you don't mind sharing a room with strangers. read more

I was actually looking to stay at another Boston hostel but my fiance stayed at this one last year. We rented a private room and the room is nice. It's just as pictured everywhere. The second floor has the laundry room, pool table, library, and computer stations. I was printing something and the pages came out somewhat janky, so I went downstairs and they were able to print the docs for me. Since Sunday was Superbowl Sunday, they showed the game downstairs and had FREE PIZZA, WINGS and SODA. I thought that was nice of them to do. There was Superbowl after party scheduled for later on. The personnel are super friendly and I must say I am very pleased. We stayed three nights. I would definitely stay here again. By the way, if you need public transportation, you've got it within five minutes in two directions. read more

It has been a while since I last stayed at a hostel and I am generally used to more comfort and privacy, but for a hostel this place is great. Friendly staff, modern and clean facilities and even a decent breakfast that is included in the price of your stay. The only thing that was really annoying is that it took me and my group ages to check in since the guy at the reception was using only two fingers to type up all our passport details. Apart from that there is nothing that I could complain about. I liked that the bathrooms located outside the dorms could be locked and had both a shower and toilet as well as a hairdryer. Linen and a towels are included, so you really don't need to bring more than if you would stay at a hotel. Thumps up! read more

HI Boston Hostel - Hostels Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I stayed here last October. It was my 2nd time hostelling and I felt the place was good! Felt like how the dorms were in college. (Even down to the shared bathrooms where there's nowhere to put your stuff down! They have the private bathrooms too but those are usually taken.) They do plan a lot of activities for travelers such as the walks, tours, clubbing, bar hopping, museum visits etc. The location is great as the others have noted...right near the T stop. I stayed in one of the woman's dorms and it was a mixed group of people each night. I think your roommates will make or break your stay...one lady our first night was a super loud snorer. Towards the end, some girls flew in from Ireland and were really friendly, considerate, and cool to chat with. (Note: If you show up earlier than check-in time...like...say if you come in off a red-eye flight, they'll let you lock up stuff in their storage area downstairs.) read more

Excellent location in the Back Bay area, and not far from the T station (Hynes Convention Center Station on the Green Line). Lots of great restaurants, bars, etc. nearby. The hostel itself is your average, run-of-the-mill hostel. Nothing outstanding or spectacular. But the rooms are comfy, the environment is safe, and the staff is helpful and friendly. The bathrooms are okay. They weren't outright filthy, but they weren't the cleanest I've seen. I did get to meet some great people and got to hang out with them in some nearby bars in the area (did I mention the location is excellent?). It doesn't have as many events or get-togethers as the HI NYC, but there are tours and events available. The hostel has a large kitchen to cook in, and was a pretty popular place for people to meet up. Do keep in mind that since this is the only hostel in this part of Boston, it gets quite crowded and fills up QUICKLY. Reserve ahead of time as early as possible. read more