Definitely a no-frills place. But the staff were friendly, someone made coffee each morning, and it was quiet (except for noisy drunks outside one night). A couple of good aspects (in my opinion): the hostel doesn't allow alcohol on premises, so as a single woman traveling alone, I felt pretty safe. And again, quiet. Also, the hostel is located across the street from the beautiful Minneapolis Institute of Art - and it's free! There is also a pretty park across the other street. And it's within walking distance (maybe 15-20 minutes) of the Lowry Hill neighborhood (good bars, restaurants). read more

This place is kind of a mess. I've put different family and friends here half a dozen times, and it always works out ok, but my mom won't stay here anymore because the place is just too messy. The management of the establishment is also totally disorganized, the owner just has random employees cycling through this place, and given not much in the way of support or training. A while ago they renovated three of the rooms and started listing them for over $100/night. The rooms were pretty nice, but who wants to pay that price in a mismanaged youth hostel? Every once in a while something random and half-way happens to the exterior or landscaping, then is left to linger haphazardly (are you seeing a theme here), like the back porch, driveway, or where the lawn/dirt/rock meets the sidewalk. If someone else would just take this place over, it could be really cool. read more

I canceled my reservation 48 hrs before my check in date and received email confirmation stating that I would see no charges if I made the cancelation by 3pm the day before check in. The day after I canceled, they charged my account twice. When I called manager Courtne White, she stated that she would not refund my money and that what I was charged for were cancelation fees ($90+ all together). I shouldn't have been charged anything, per their cancelation guidelines. Management is rude, unwilling to listen or to look at my information to see that I am in the right and really couldn't care less. Gave them a few chances to reverse my charges, to no avail, so I'm making the rounds on review sites, contacted the BBB and will be filing a small claims suit if things aren't resolved. You do not treat people like this. read more

First, the good: it's a clean, attractive, well-kept place (both rooms and common areas) in a very pleasant neighborhood.    I will stay there again!   No staff on site (no human check-in), but we and others had good interactions with staffers via e-mail and text message.   And, we left a thing, and they sounded really helpful about getting it back to us. [However see update below.] Quirk 1: when you make a reservation, *watch your e-mail*.  They'll send you (a) a resv. confirmation and also (b) an "ID Request" from mplshostel.com.   *YOU MUST RESPOND* to the ID request, sending a photo of front & back of your ID.    Then they email a PDF with your door code, room assignment, staff contact phone numbers.   (They also send a "SALTO Keys" invite, but that's optional.   Might help remember your door code.)  ***ALL THIS SHOULD BE MADE CLEAR ON THE WEB SITE & INITIAL E-MAIL RESPONSE***.   We helped another guest who hadn't noticed the ID message.  Fortunately staff were promptly helpful - but he'd have been stuck if we hadn't been there & known staff phone numbers. Quirk 2: I made two reservations, and for each of them, they recorded it as *ONE DAY LATER* than I'd signed up for (correct number of nights, but starting 1 day late).   In each case I had to ask them to shift the resv back.   Dunno if I'd have been able to get in if I hadn't caught that.   This should be fixed. Quirk 3: you can review your reservation on their web site, and it shows the room and number of days, but doesn't show the range of dates you're signed up for.  Should be fixed, too. [Update to earlier review, 2.5 months later: though a staffer initially offered to help get our lost item (a pocket radio) back to us, and we offered to pay them for the trouble, it never happened, and a couple of queries went unanswered. Oh, well. I'm still happy with the place, as mentioned above, and would stay there again.] read more

Worst experience ever. Do Not Stay Here **Just the highlights** Due to multiple miscommunications between staff my stay here has been a nightmare! In the end I was harassed by a member of staff for having a service dog. I had been there three days already with no problems but she just decided I had to go and was aggressive and in my face about it. I did not feel safe and called the police on her. The police informed her that she couldn't make me leave so here I am with 7 days left of my pre-paid stay. *The details* I travel with a service dog due to an invisible disability. My dog and I are protected under the federal ADA regulations I made my reservations on the phone and notified them of this. I was staying 10 nights for a conference and they had no single rooms available but I was told to call back and double check for cancellations. One month later I called back. I spoke to a new person, they had a cancellation and I was told I could have a private room for three nights but would then have to move. I accepted this and notified them that I would be mailing my dog's food ahead of time and asked if she would hold it at the front desk, she accepted, I mailed the package. The package arrived and I received an email (another person) that someone had opened my package, saw that it contained dog food and reminded me of the no pet policy. I notified them that I did not have a pet I had a service dog. They apologized for the confusion and that was that. I arrived, checked in and paid for the entire stay. I was checked in by the person that emailed me about the dog food. He was very helpful, I requested an itemized bill for the different room rates but they said that I was going to be in the same room for the whole stay so it was not necessary. Three days later a new front desk person tells me it's time to move. I was about to leave for the day and had work obligations and a tight schedule. She told me it must have been a mistake when the other guy told me I didn't have to move. She was very rude and aggressive and I caved and began packing my belongings. While packing she came into my room and told me the dog couldn't stay. I reminded her the "dog" was a service dog (she wears a red vest) and handed her a PSA flyer for people unfamiliar with service dogs and continued to pack. 10 minutes later she came back in to the room and said that because the flyer mentioned ESA animals that my dog was obviously an ESA so I had to leave. I corrected her, again, and shut the door. I finished packing and started to move in to the new room and she called me in to her office. She asked me if I had the dog because of a disability, I said yes, and that ended the conversation. I went back to unpacking. She called me in her office again, then asked me what service my dog provided. The room was full of people, non-employees, I had to ask them to leave. I informed her of the task my dog is trained to do, She had never heard of it and did not believe me. It was at this point that she got angry and aggressive again and told me to leave again. I refused, she insisted, then came out from behind the desk like she was going to do something, so I called the police. I am still here for another 7 nights and she can't legally make me leave according to the police. So here I am getting dirty looks from the entire staff if I leave my room, and no recourse to leaving as all of downtown is booked from the conference. DO NOT STAY HERE All the online images are old or doctored, this place is seriously run down and not cleaned regularly. The bathrooms are filthy. There is only one overflowing refrigerator for the whole place, and the internet only works on the main floor. I could go on for another hour but I won't waste any more of your time or mine. read more

See all

Yes, I'm giving it four stars, but those are *hostel* stars, just to be clear. My parents were children of the Depression, and they both could pinch a penny until it screamed. When we went on vacation, accomodations were most often tourist cabins, camp grounds or...if Dad had a wild hair, an actual motel with (gasp) air-conditioning. That's why the unpainted drywall in my room at the MIH didn't bother me. I didn't mind the Christmas cookie tin wastepaper can, either. The blankets looked a little dubious, but the sheets were spanking clean, and those I kept close to my face. The hostel is located close to all the hipster action on Lyndale and Nicollet, and I could walk nearly everywhere I needed to be within 20 minutes. The common areas are clean, relatively quiet and there are two computers and free wireless for use by residents. Most importantly, I had a private room with a shared bath for $35.00 a night, and you can't beat that with a stick. read more

This is the worst hostel I've ever stayed in, hands down. The 'mens' area was just an upstairs room with 15 beds 18" apart. The bathroom didn't work my entire stay: the shower handle was broken off, the sink was plugged, and the bathroom had an overwhelming sickly sweet smell that I can only describe as a cross between wet dog, vomit, and bacterial vaginosis. The owners seemed unconcerned about these problems, defensively retorting "sorry about that, but I didn't break it" when I mentioned the broken shower. The rest of the house looks like it's been under construction for years, with sawdust and slag piles in various corners of the house. To top it off, an alarm went off in a locked private room on my 2nd morning, and we all helplessly listened to it for 2.5 hours without a staff member on site. I ended up going to the YMCA for a shower. Stay away stay away stay away. Even though it's the cheapest stay in town at $40, it's way overpriced for what you get, which is basically nothing. read more

I tried canceling my reservation 2 weeks in advance and asked for the manager to call. Never received a call back. After I had ask the manager to call they took the money out of my account the next day. The person answering the phone was very rude unprofessional and didn't care about there guest. I highly recommend you stay away from this place. They will RIP you off. When I reserved my room it stated a private room with private bathroom. Then they said you will be in a room that could have up to 14 people like a dorm. Sharing a bathroom and shower. When I has how much for the private room they would have asked for 200 more. Was going to stay for 5 nights. For that price I could rent a regular hotel or motel for that same price. This place has no customer service. They get no stars.... it made me select a star but this place doesn't deserve a star. read more

I've stayed here 3 times when I've visited Minneapolis and knew what I was getting into before making reservations. It has two small private rooms that I've stayed in, one at the top of the back stairs, and one built inside the mens' dorm room - if you choose to get a private room, get the one at the top of the back stairs. The one inside the mens' dorm room had thin walls that did nothing to reduce the chainsaw-drone of multiple snorers although earplugs helped immensely. Other trips, I've been in shared rooms with relatively few people staying in them. It's basically a place to sleep and park your stuff but convenient to most everything Minneapolis. The staff doesn't help much in getting to know the city but I had guidebooks and done my research before each trip. It was an interesting place to meet international travelers and I wanted an inexpensive place to stay during the Minnesota State Fair. I loved that it was so close to various business areas and walking distance to the Art Institute. I remember watching the Beijing Olympics at the Hostel and made sure I was finished with my days activities in time to catch Olympic events I wanted to see. Despite the inevitable bathroom hogs you run into, if you know where the other bathrooms are and what facilities are available in each, it shouldn't be a problem. It's a decent place to stay in a quiet neighborhood at a price that affords me savings to otherwise spend on attractions and food. read more

Not bad, MIH. Not bad. This place is not a palace. But you can get your own room for $35 a night which is pretty cheap. More money to spend at the fine eating and drinking establishments this city has to offer. MIH is not for the prissy or squeamish. There are strange collections of things in corners, funny mismatched paint jobs, and no glasses to drink out of. But none of these things particularly bother me, and I did appreciate the plethora of chandeliers (two in the bathroom!) and found the rooms named after royalty amusing. Also amusing is the abundance of signs posted around, some more helpful than others. One in my room read "Do not open the skylight more than one inch as animals have been known to crawl in." Good to know. Some of the signs had this total bitchy-bitter-housemate vibe to them which was kind of funny. Examples: "The floor in this bathroom has been wet every day this week. Close the shower curtain all the way so this does not happen again." (It wasn't me!) and "Wash your dishes right away after using them. Failure to do so will result in immediate eviction." And then the petty: "There is a 20 minute time limit on this computer. Even if no one is waiting." The people who work here run the gamut of friendly- not friendly. The girl was really nice (I forget her name...) The guys were mostly silent. I stayed here a week, and each day I thought I almost put my finger on what that intense smell was in the bathroom....never figured it out. read more

This place is OK. Quiet hostel in an old--doesn't have the crazy, college dorm vibe that many other hostels have. Staff here was kind of unfriendly but never rude or anything. This hostel is in a great location. RIGHT across the street from Mineapolis's amazing, free art museum. Ample parking and I felt my car was pretty safe as security for the art museum discourages the sketchy types from hanging around. The parking situation may change during snowy months, though. Not sure. The location is also near a lot of other cool places that one might want to walk over to. Oh, there are mice. 2 Free computers to use along with wifi. The mac was basically busted to the point of no return, though, as far as I could tell. read more

I stayed over here one night when a friend was visiting. The romance of Europe is not found here in the united states where anyone is welcome to stay. A hostel should be considered as a step up from sleeping in the gutter or squatting in a condemned building with a bunch of addicts. You have a place to sleep, a door on your room that you may lock to keep out the other people staying here from looting your things, and use of a kitchen to make things to eat. Things in a place like this can be highly variable depending on who is staying. If you have a good group, it can be a great time. Other times, not. Just like with anyone who is living close to the edge, you shouldn't show too much of yourself or you may have an uncomfortable situation on your hands. read more

This hostel was my temporary home while apartment searching after I had flown in: ended up being a couple of weeks with the apartments that fell through. For a few days this hostel will more than suffice: very nice kitchen, friendly staff, and I never had anything stolen, although I kept all of my electronics in my messenger bag which was always with me when I left. It can get a little breezy, so in the fall you'll want to wear a bit more at night and the shower has no pressure. You can also buy groceries, store them in the fridge and cook up some food. The downside is that with a shared dorm, hence the $27 price tag, is that you get the guy who snores like a horse (be smart: bring tunes and earbuds like I did), the guy who takes an hour in the bathroom, the guy who leaves the shower curtain outside of the tub with water everywhere, the guy who....well, you get the picture. *That* guy (what an asshole) almost always shows up and has to be the thoughtless prick of the day. The location is great: right next to Nicollet with Lyndale a handful of blocks away and Hennepin a bit further (the #17 bus will take you there if you don't feel like going on foot) So with uptown (a trio of dense commercial streets), Eat St on Nicollet, and Downtown. just north you could easily spend a weekend in Uptown & Downtown here without even knowing that there's plenty more going on in other parts of town. Overall, it's definitely worth it if you're looking for cheap accommodations. read more

Trust me, I've stayed in less expensive places in developing countries, and they were way better than this. I think most people who stay in hostels don't expect squeaky-clean accommodations and beyond, so the general shabbiness and lack of service that comes with a hostel is anticipated. But this place is in a beautiful building, and it feels like it is not maintained and thus about to collapse. Sort of shady, I'd even venture to say. When I stayed at this place, it was my first time in Minneapolis and I was learning my way around the city. Unfortunately, I arrived about half an hour before they officially "welcomed" guests, so they wouldn't let me hang out in the living room or even leave my bags until check-in. Instead, they directed me via mumble to a coffee shop a few blocks away, where I lugged all my stuff to wait until check-in time. Seriously? I understand to a degree that policy, but come on! Oh, and from then on I was told to use the back door. How welcoming! The staff isn't friendly, even when I tried to talk to them and learn more about the area. Like other Yelpers have noted, they were essentially there to take the money. I never used the communal kitchen facilities, but they looked messy and random (in the middle of the living room, I believe). My recommendation: spend a few bucks more for a discounted hotel or look for better hostels/B&Bs in the neighborhood. read more

I did not receive room confirmation for 10 hrs. I left and e-mail showed at 8:01 am the day of reservation. Drove to the Hostel and there was no staff and nobody would answer the vague phone number. Did not return message I left and apparently they do not text confirmation. I assumed they would have staff/concierge since I had not received confirmation by my departure time. Well I ended up locked out with no passcode or room number. No refund and I am out $86 dollars. They actually charged me twice but took off the faulty cancellation fee of $86 dollars. Quite sketchy. Somebody is on the make there! I was going to throw my tent up in their front lawn since apparently tent living is common in Minneapolis, but chickened out. Buyer beware! No staff and characters hanging around the back patio. - 0 Stars read more

It was a great place to stay for my trip. The house is lovely and full of history. The staff is very discreet. The location is right next to the MIA MN Institute of Art. It was very clean. read more

See all

I know it's tempting because of the price but warning: this place is a scam. I booked a night at this place, and when I got there, there's no one inside when I rang the doorbell, and no one answered the phone. I ended up waiting outside for 3 hours before finding a vacant motel on my phone at 2 in the morning. The next day they refused my refund arguing that although I had booked that night, I didn't call them to inform them. I said that I did call but no one answered and no one's inside the house to answer the doorbell. But they denied that I called them because I didn't leave a message after the tone. If you need more information about this disaster, feel free to contact me. I would hate for more people to fall for their scam. read more

i got a call from Minneapolis Hostel on Tuesday, March 27th 2018 (2 days before my booking: Thursday,March 29th- Sunday, April 1st) telling me how my booking was cancelled and i'll get a refund. The guy on the phone said they need to renovate and will be closed indefinitely. They also sent me an email the same day stating about the closing and the refund. I called them back on Saturday, March 31st to inquire about my refund. It was the same employee on the phone, he wasn't making any sense. He told me i never showed up at the Hostel. I replied , cos you told me the Hostel is closed for renovation.The guy sounds high like he was on drugs, thinking forever before talking. Very slow! I also told him about the email he sent that confirms everything. He first told me ,he doesn't know when i'll get a refund then directed me to Hostelworld to get my refund. I talked to Hostelworld ,they told me Minneapolis Hostel are the one responsible of refunding me. Just like i thought. Hostelworld emailed the Hostel on the same day about the matter. To this day i still didn't get any refund and nobody from the Hostel contacted me. I'm sure done with this Hostel! The lack of professionalism is a astonishing. My advice , keep your money for a good Airbnb in the same area just like i did! read more

Totally legit and budget travel worthy. Great location, great accommodations and wonderful staff. l totally loved stayin' here and will be back soon! read more

This place looks like and is run like a decent hostel, but priced like a mid-level hotel. I was disappointed in the quality of the rooms for what we paid--our queen single/private bath was located in the basement, and the room was about 80% finished--the lighting fixtures were only half installed, there were no baseboards, and the construction of the bathroom looked like it was done by a layman. The flooring is tile, so even is summer the floor is so cold it makes your feet hurt if you're barefoot. Also, the window is nailed shut and fogged out, so it made the room feel weirdly claustrophobic, what with it also being located in the basement. That being said, it's in a very good location next to Eat Street and MCAD. The kitchen and common area was clean and well-equipped. General cleanliness was very good. It just depends how okay you are with throwing a bit of your money down a hole. More cost effective with big groups in the dorm rooms, but still not as well priced as your average hostel. read more

By far the worst hostel I've ever stayed in. This place is wildly overpriced ($50 for a 15 bed dorm is ridiculous). Good luck finding a locker or an outlet. The way the house is set up, it encourages you to avoid common areas. The location is convenient for Eat Street, the Minneapolis Institute of Art and a bus to downtown. But by night the area is downright scary. A deranged guy chased me down the street after I got off the bus. read more

This place calls itself a hostel but the people running it don't know what hostels are supposed to be like. First off, the cheapest shared room is $45, while the cheapest private room is $56. Lucille Bluth must be running this place because it's like they have no sense of what a reasonable price for something is. There's a lack of enthusiasm about the local culture. Minneapolis has a lot of coffee roasters, but this place only serves Folger's with coffee mate. They don't organize group events or walking tours. There aren't any recommendations for local events that are going on or things you should visit (the hostel does have books on Minneapolis but the people running the hostel apparently have nothing they recommend you see while you're there). They do not offer breakfast at all whatsoever (which totally sucks because staying here is freakishly overpriced even with breakfast, and because that's the main way you meet other travelers at hostels). I had to ask for a towel, and when I did the woman who checked me in told me that if I needed anything I should feel free to ask, but you shouldn't have to ask for something like that. The hostels I stayed at in Mexico for $8/night were better at anticipating guests' needs. I didn't bring a wash cloth with me and the hostel didn't have any. The bathroom in my room wasn't very good. There were a bunch of random shampoo bottles in the shower; I'm not sure if the hostel purposely put those in there for guests or if they were just abandoned by people (probably the latter given how stingy this hostel is). The shower was also so small that I could barely turn around in it. The guests who were here during my visit were bizarre. Over half the people I met told me they live in Minneapolis and were only staying here while looking for a new place to live. I overheard one guy telling his friend on the phone that he was there because "Anthony got sick of me." At one point I left my digital camera in the kitchen for a few minutes while I went back to the dorm for something, and when I checked it later there was a picture on it that had been taken in the kitchen. Be careful about leaving your stuff where other guests can access it. This is the only hostel in Minneapolis, but the minute another one opens this place is going out of business. read more

I had a great expeirence staying here. By far the best hostel I've stayed in. The house is an antique beauty and the kitchen is well stocked and clean. There is also free computer and internet access (I've had to pay for internet at many other hostels I've stayed at). The location is great, as you are near the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MCAD, Washburn Park and Nicollett street (known as "eat street", for its many good resturants). All of the staff were extremely helpful. Charlie (who lives in and manages the hostel) gave me a great introduction to the neighborhood, as well as information on Minneapolis as a whole. If you want a four star hotel, go pay for one. If you want a helpful, fun and chill but cheap place, the International Hostel is perfect. read more

Great place for a quick stay! I was in need of an affordable place to stay, and the Minneapolis International Hostel fulfilled my needs. I met great people in a 4-person dorm and slept well. My only issue was that the WiFi did not reach the basement level. Would recommend to anyone in need of a place to sleep on the cheaper side. read more

The one star reviews are definitely not an overstatement. This place stinks to high heaven. Coming from the hospitality world myself, I understand customer service can be challenging at times, but the owner was not understanding what-so-ever and rude. The hostel itself (common area and rooms) are not terrible, but not great.. it just really irked me the way I was treated here. I know this is the only hostel in the Twin Cities area, but seriously DO NOT STAY HERE. This was a terrible hostel experience. read more

I had a pleasure to stay at this place for 3 nights and absolutely loved it. First, I had to check in very late - at about 1 am. The day before, I called and warned management about my arrival at about 11 pm. So, I was 2 hours late and manager was awake to let me in. He is the best at customer service I've ever had. I was lucky to be in an empty female dorm. It was very clean and quiet, and if you need additional blankets, sheets etc., they don't have any quotes on that per person. (that might be related to non-rush days) I've planned staying there for only 2 nights, but it was snowing the last night in Minneapolis, so my flight was cancelled, I urgently called the manager warning that I'm coming back. Very flexible and polite management with all amenities and good coffee :) read more

It was a good location, extremely affordable, and easy. I stayed in the 4-bed female dorm for 5 nights, and only shared it with one other person for two days (otherwise it was all mine). It is an old Victorian house, with a full, usable kitchen - like a home away from home. It sits across the street from the Minneapolis Institute of Art, within two blocks of Eat Street or the 18 bus to Nicolett Mall. It isn't fancy by any means, but for the price, it's worth a stay! read more

There was confusion at checkin; seemed like there was a lot going on and it felt like the staff didn't have things under control. Not very clean...shared dorm room, the bathroom and shower were passable. There was no toilet paper in our shared bathroom the first day. The kitchen area was not very inviting...the refrigerator was full of things that seemed to have been in there a while or were unaccounted for. I was offered a discounted rate by email in advance of my reservation. When I asked how to confirm the rate, I went ahead and reserved online like I thought I was instructed to. However, apparently the online reservation actually charged me, and at the regular price. When I asked about it at the hostel, at first the staff did not know what was going on. When I finally got an answer, I was told it was my fault for not booking properly and that it was too bad. Seems like there are some people living at this place? Got a house of refuge type vibe. The hostel met my basic needs for the weekend, but it was not my best hostel experience. Also pricey compared to any other hostel I've stayed at, and given the passable experience. read more

DON'T EVER STAY HERE! This place is awful in all respects. The reception by the lady who worked the evening shift was distant and unpleasant. I booked the single room, which looks nice on the website. The room turned out to be - literally - a bed stuffed into a storage space. It was awful and the opposite of what was advertised. The pillow was brown from drool. The bathroom on that floor was defect so I had to go one story down to a truly nasty bathroom with full and dirty wastebaskets and lots of pieces of old soap on the floor that had clearly been there for a while. AWFUL!! The whole vibe is strange - the staff is not helpful nor friendly and there are aggressive signs around like the one on the front door saying in capital letters you'll be evicted if you use it.... No matter how broke you are, you really do not want to spend a penny of your hard earned money here. Avoid this hostel. read more

Great hostel. I would definitely stay here again. The common area is inviting ( I took advantage of the complimentary tea and coffee). Location was very convenient-- a block away from Eat Street, buses, and the bike share. I stayed in a loft dorm room and had no problems or complaints. Not sure where all the bad reviews are coming from! read more

Minneapolis International Hostel - The lovely Victorian entryway - Hostels Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

This place was great. My wife and I got a private room with a private bath for $70 ($80 after tax). It was spacious and clean. The mattress was new and very comfortable. (It was weird because they had a queen mattress on a full sized box spring, but that didn't seem to affect my sleep.) Internet worked. Smelled fine. Not noisy. Pretty impressive for a hostel. Be aware, though - checkout is at 9 am. read more

I only spent a night in the Hostel but I found the place to be both homey and accommodating. The kitchen was kept clean and the free coffee was a great perk. The price was fair for the accommodations and was quite comfortable as long as you don't mind sharing a room with a lot of people. I stayed in the attic which had a total of 15 beds and one bathroom between them, thankfully only about 4 of the beds were occupied when I was there though. There is a strict check out time of 9 AM which can be disincentivizing but the owners are willing to be flexible provided there isn't a large crowd waiting to check in. The location is also fantastic, literally next door to the Minnesota Institute of Arts which has free entry and within walking distance of downtown. The location plays a large part in the 5 star review. read more

My bf and I stayed there for a weekend last August and it was great. Friendly staff, cool people hanging out at the common kitchen area, free good coffee, it was just great. We got a private room with a common bathroom which was always clean and tidy. Walking distance to downtown MN (if you like to walk I mean lol) where you find great food&drinks at a decent price. Don't forget to go to the Ethnic Market in downtown also. read more

This is the hostel that did me in on hostels. I write this as a veteran of youth travel hostels - I've stayed in probably a dozen of them, around North America, and have had experiences ranging from above board (NYC's Jazz on the Park and HI Toronto) to wretched and scary (the Venice Beach Hostel, where I once found hypodermics on the floor and had personal items stolen). In some ways, Minneapolis International possesses a unique charm - it's a late 18th or early 19th Century manor, converted into a low-rent dormitory. So think Roman columns on the porch, a sprawling Afghan rug in the foyer, glossy buffed wooden floors, 3rd story window boxes, impressionist paintings, a first floor bathroom with a marble vanity. But upkeep is everything, and this place has zero. At all hours, the front door swings open and closed... no lock, and no security code, and no buzzer, so virtually anyone could just wander in off the street and steal anything they like or assault lodgers. Add to this the fact that the administrative staff (at least judging from when I was there) is rarely present, and must be "summoned" to the front office, and it's amazing that anyone even bothers paying for a bed. During my stay, many of the lockers were broken, and the toilets and sinks were almost all plugged up ,and in the case of the first floor toilet, that meant one hell of an awful mess; I plunged the sink adjoining the third floor dorm room and horrific things began to seep up from the drain - not simply gunk and hair, but plastic, paper, a toothpaste cap, garbage that people had stuffed down there days or weeks prior. I didn't see mice, or rats, or roaches ,or bedbugs... But neither would they have surprised me given the deep, massive cracks in the ancient ceiling above my bed. At one point I also ventured down to the basement level and it looked like something out of 'Hostel' or 'Silence of the Lambs' - a grungy crawlspace hewn out of cavernous rock. Other guests were friendly if a little bit seedy and questionable; I slept lightly, with my valuables zipped into the pillow under my head. As mentioned I'll likely never stay in a hostel again on the basis of this experience - I'd rather pay more for a motel room (even a modest room) and sleep with some assurance of cleanliness, comfort and safety. read more

Excellent location - close to bus lines that run quite late. Enjoyed food and great music on a Friday night at the historic Icehouse restaurant. Walked over/checked out the wonderful Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The Minneapolis Hostel staff was friendly and helpful. Didn't have to deal with any bunk-beds on the top floor. I would stay there again if I'm ever in Mpls again and need some lodging. read more

What a great place!!! Stayed there for a week before travelling to California to visit some friends. What a great location for a hostel!!! It is in walking distance next to downtown and a block away from about 100 restaurants. Also, it is right across the street from an amazing museum(they had Van Gogh paintings-it was awesome!). The staff was so great, they told me where all of the best places in town were and were so friendly. I definitely recommend staying here if you like big beautiful mansions! read more

I stayed here during the Labor Day weekend and I couldn't be more happier with the service from the staff I met at this hostel. They listened to my needs and provided me with a great private room at an affordable rate. The staff here is very helpful and and courteous. I felt it was a safe place. I recommend staying here if you are looking for an affordability and interesting community experience and if you don't mind shared bathrooms! It's a plus that they are located near a park, an art museum and a great food coop! Plus eat street restaurants and transportation to go downtown. All great to me. Thanks for all ! read more

I really enjoyed my stay at the hostel! It was a beautiful private room with a lovely private bath. The hostel was well kept and clean. The kitchen was large and easy to use. It was located across from the beautiful institute of art and a lovely park! It was also walking distance to several awesome neighborhoods with local food and shops. Definitely would stay again! Great price, friendly staff. Can't ask for more read more

I've stayed here a few times and have never been anything but satisfied beautiful cozy mansion in amazing location with great service free parking in the back for any size vehicle my van like a charm read more

Very helpful and friendly staff!:))) would stay again! Close to bus and across from Institute of Arts, quite area.