What a GREAT find! I absolutely loved my stay here. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Rooms and bathroom were clear. I would highly recommend. read more

Providence Hostel & Guesthouse - Hostels Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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I cannot even begin to express how bad my experience at this hostel was. My friend and I booked a reservation here under the impression we had booked a room with two beds. My WHOLE issue here is actually the owner, she was extremely inappropriate and unprofessional. We were given a phone call with the woman that began with her already angry before even talking to us or being made aware of our situation. She was irate the whole phone call during which she yelled the whole time and said things like, "(we) should've called to confirm that the room we booked is what we booked" (I've never had to call a place to confirm that what I booked online was in fact what I booked??) she said that she 'wasn't my mother' and 'it wasn't her job to confirm', multiple times. Then, after she was belligerent the whole phone call (and mind you I was respectful and genuinely never said a rude word) I finally said look I'm gonna have to leave bad reviews because I don't want other people to experience this. (And I don't, you should run) She told me I was threatening her and she was recording the conversation. (I hope was and that she plays the convo back someday and realizes how unprofessional and rude she sounded.) And then she hung up on me. Leaving reviews is the only power we as consumers have, so I feel compelled to leave one. Note: it was very hot in the hostel, didn't seem very clean in common spaces, and at that point we decided we didn't feel safe enough to stay there because of the way this woman treated us so we left and stayed elsewhere. Be aware that apparently you need to call to Confirm you want the room you pay for and that driveway parking is actually not guaranteed even if you book/pay for it. You may end up with street parking and a $5/day parking pass. Make sure you read all the fine print. I hate that they're able to prey on people who can't afford nicer accommodations just because Providence hotels are expensive. But, most importantly, do everything in your power to avoid having to talk to the owner. read more

Was a little concerned after reading some of the negative comments from other posters, but I had an unusual check in time and emailed my request before I arrived (twice because I completely misstated my arrival date the first time) and they were very accommodating. I quickly got a very explanatory email back that was meant to help me "self check in." However as I was pulling up my email on my phone to find the code to open the door, this guy from the staff opened the door and immediately knew me by name. Both of the staff people were very friendly, accommodating and even tried to help me decide what to do during my stay - including providing maps, tips and other gems like only locals can. Not even in high end hotels have ever felt like the concierge genuinely cared how much I enjoyed my visit. So it's a definite yes, I'd recommend from me. And if you're not a cat person or are nervous about their cat, don't be. She's gotta be like the sweetest cat on the planet. read more

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I think this is incredibly annoying. They say to call back only between 3 and 9 PM. They don't answer. I called 8 times. I left 3 voicemails yesterday. Then at 9 they say don't call until tomorrow. No one is there. I think it's a lie. I don't think they're at the desk. They don't ever answer and no one checks and returns voicemails. Rude. read more

Friendly staff but I was in for a shock when they wanted to charge me $10 to park on empty drive way! This was never made aware when I spoke with manager that same night I booked the room nor on the website. Smh ‍ read more

Stayed during a Boston-Providence-Newport roadtrip. I chose it because it was the cheapest option ($30/night), but it was soooo pleasant and clean. (Tip: I searched on google but it didnt show the dorm rates, it only showed an expensive private room, but I checked the hostel's direct site and booked the $30 dorm bed, so don't go by google's weird price.) Felt as clean and cozy as a bed and breakfast! read more

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Not my cup of tea. When I arrived they wanted me to pay an extra $10/night to park my car in their parking lot. Upon seeing the outside of the building and the neighborhood and then the add'l parking fee (total cost now $50/night for room shared with 5 other people)... I told them to keep my deposit. I'd be staying elsewhere. Maybe a Walmart parking lot. That would be much more comfortable. read more

Great hostel! As clean and cozy as a Bed and Breakfast but priced like a hostel (my friend and I paid just $35 each for a bed). Really clean bathrooms...and huge kitchen where we cooked dinner with other guests. We came for the weekend from nyc, and this place was so welcoming and homey. I like that their dorms have only 4 beds, and appreciated the flexible checkout (we had our bus back to nyc at 7pm and stayed in their common area till 6 pm). Alina, Joe and the volunteers were super friendly. 20 min walk to downtown and you really can't beat their price! Way cheaper than a B&B, and more friendly than one too. Among the best hostels I stayed in. Strongly recommended! read more

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This hostel is definitely the best hostel experience I ever had. Friendly, cosy and clean, as you want it to be when you're traveling (especially alone). L'auberge étant de la taille d'une maison, on a vraiment l'impression d'être juste dans une grande colocation, où on peut cuisiner, profiter du salon, et surtout où on a accès à deux vraies salles de bain, qui sont propres ! Avant celle ci, mes expériences d'auberge de jeunesse n'avaient pas été concluantes en bonne rencontres parce que les gens y séjournant étaient souvent lugubre. Ici, certainement grâce à la petite taille de l'auberge, tout le monde se connait, c'est facile de rencontrer les autres occupants, qui sont tous des voyageurs, souvent jeunes. Concernant les chambres, il y a le choix entre des chambres privées et des dortoirs ce qui est bien. J'ai séjourné dans un dortoir et ce n'était pas le genre où on essaie d'entasser le plus de personne possible dans le plus petit espace. ici il y a maximum 5 lits par dortoirs, et la maison étant sur deux étages les chambres sont calmes. Le point fort de cette auberge de jeunesse est certainement la propreté. Ca ne se veut pas être du luxe, simplement être agréable à vivre comme une maison où on a des livres et des épices. It's like everything are made to feel like at home. You have all what you need to cook, it's cute and calm, so you are glad to come back the evening, tired by all the things you experienced during the day, just to relax without being alone. read more

My boyfriend and I really enjoyed our stay here. It was warm and homey, very clean, has a nice common area, and the bedrooms were comfy and spacious - we'd booked a private room for 2 but I took a peek inside one of the dorms when the door was open and it also looked big, bright, and nice. Contrary to what other reviewers are saying, the neighborhood is fine. Some of the houses may be a bit run down but it was safe. It's also a quick drive, a cheap Lyft, or a nice half hour stroll to the downtown area (there's also busses but we didn't try that and Providence is very walkable). They were pretty well organized too, with a welcome email full of info - they don't have 24 hour reception but you can arrange something with them if you're arriving after their normal hours. All in all, I'd definitely recommend! I only took off 1 star because I maybe feel like the prices were ever so slightly steep? But that might be the going rate for hostels in American cities now (it's been a minute since I was hosteling around). read more

I highly recommend the Providence hostel and guest house. The hosts were great and really friendly. The place was very clean and smelled lovely ( they had flowers). Me and my girlfriend stayed in a private room which was very quiet. The other rooms were occupied but we had plans so didn't really socialize with the other quests besides some short small talk. Sleep like a baby which was strange as it was so quiet. I mention this as I'm from NY so I'm used to noise. This was the first time for me staying in a hostel and it was a great experience. I highly recommend it read more

Clean and cozy hostel with a very homey atmosphere. Not in the best area, but just a 20-30 minute walk to downtown Providence. Staff is really welcoming and helpful. read more

Really cozy hostel 20 minutes walking distance from the center of downtown. Very clean, and GREA staff, always down to help with anything, from places to see and things to do, and places to ea, and super friendly. Strong free wifi connection, cool backpacker's vibe. Pretty cheap, and it's central location is perfect for traveling to the other big cities for a day trip (only $11.50 commuter rail to boston). All in all a really great experience! read more

The people working there were nice enough, and the accommodations were okay, but I was a little upset at a couple things that I though were done better at other hostels in Europe that I'd just left: this Hostel was in the worst part of providence, and it was unsafe to walk alone as a single female at night; the place looked like a halfway house and was unkept on the base floor, crowded and cluttered; all the doors has keypads on them for entry, with pass codes- but my room door was so old and rickety that it made ghastly noises upon opening/ closing (which I hated since I was up late and rising super early for my flight home); the private room did not have an ensuite bathroom, and for $95 a night I thought I would at least get a full bedroom: instead it was a attic like space w a sunroof one a slanted ceiling, and a fan in my room for when it got hot. Luckily I didn't have to stay long, but for that price I would've expected more. In the future I know to call and ask more questions but since I was in a pinch I made a brash decision and moved to fast. Oh well! At least my Uber drivers were super nice! read more

Great little hostel. Charming staff, very clean, calm. Everyone I spoke to while I was there was very kind and helpful. Close enough to walk to downtown to. read more

The WORST hostel I have EVER stayed at. DO NOT STAY HERE. BOOK AN AIR B&B. SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. STAFF & MGMT. WILL LIE TO YOU. This review is going to sound a lot like Scott L.'s, and only 2.5 months after the fact! When my Uber driver pulled up to a somewhat run down looking residence, she chuckled and said, "I can't believe these people, they're trying to use their house to pass it off as a hostel!" She was from Brooklyn, NY, where I had just come from, and she nervously kept eyeing the house and its vicinity. "I'm not comfortable dropping you off here, but it's your choice. This isn't the type of neighborhood that you want to be walking around alone in, especially at night - you should try Federal Hill or closer to Brown. Did you try Air B&B?" Convinced, I decided to forego the hostel. She graciously dropped me off closer to campus instead. Having hosteled world wide and through the states, though, & wanting to meet fellow travelers, and upon reading one or two positive reviews written by other Asians (clearly not through yelp), I decided I was being too judgmental. I decided to Uber back after eating. I planned on booking just one night to see how it went, hoping to stay an extra two nights so I could really get a feel for the city and have more time to check out some of the schools in the area. When I got back: a sh*t ton of unshoveled ice covering the front steps. Not until I went up with my 3 bags did I see the sign to use back door. Now having read Scott L.'s review, I realize that the Moroccan guy who checked me in lied to me: "You're actually our first walk in. We've never gotten any walk ins until you." First thing the guy said to me. On first impression, the hostel looked clean enough, though the shower on the first level had some weird grout around the drain or something. There were two chatty Asian females in the kitchen, I couldn't tell if they were travelers or staff. I was shown to my room, and told that I'd basically have the whole room to myself since I'd be the only one there tonight. Relieved and tired from my journey, I was happy for such an unexpected respite. I'm thinking this is the same room Scott L. stayed in because in under a minute, I immediately smelled something cloying and strange - the kind of smell that you can't quite put a finger on as far as its source, but here's what it smelled like: rotten eggs / sewage / as Scott L. put it, a whole range of disgusting smells I couldn't quite identify. It wasn't just the room, it was also the general room with the TV that smelled this way, and just basically the entire first floor. I went out and told the Moroccan guy that I wanted to change rooms - he stated that for some reason that room always did smell differently from the others, and after I pressed him for other rooms that might not smell, he offered the room where he and another female worker were staying. I slept on a bunk that wasn't very comfortable, and though that room didn't smell entirely like sulfur, I noticed (as it was on the upper level) that there were still paint buckets and other construction objects left to the side next to the stair case on the upper level. It wasn't in anyone's way, but I found it odd that they would still be open for business if the house wasn't completely done with construction. In the morning after I showered on the second floor, I noticed, oddly enough, that after my hair dried, I smelled JUST like the hydrogen sulfide smell from downstairs. The towel they gave me also had a few little hairs. I just brushed it away. What's going on with this hostel / house though? And this was even though I'd moved all my clothes / belongings to the new room the first night. When I was preparing to check out, a lady was walking around inspecting the light switches. She was complaining about renovation aspects of the house to some other Asian guy. She'd come in and out of the room more than once. She stated she was one of the managers as was the Asian guy. When I politely asked her about the smell, and the possible source of the smell (was it the area? was it construction related?) she noted that the Moroccan guy had told her about my complaint, but then sweetly and abruptly asked me if I have always had a sensitive nose, as she and the Moroccan guy were in the room earlier that day and could smell nothing. Wow. She specifically stated he had told her he couldn't smell anything in the room. That's interesting, I replied, as the Moroccan guy had confirmed that the room smelled when I'd spoken to him about it. Both managers replied that I was the first to bring up a smell. Interesting. Hey, that would be lie #3? One more question for the hostel and for any one who considers staying in that sh*t hole: health inspection / OSHA investigation under way at all? I can still smell hydrogen sulfide on my hair / detect it in my sinus, though I'm back in Boston. Not to mention, I felt light headed during my stay. Refund, any1? read more

Due to the Nor'easter slamming Providence my son's flight was canceled the day before he was to stay. Tried to reach them by phone and email for two days in anticipation this might happen to discuss a refund. Finally they respond saying no! Not even offering any compensation due to the fact my kid won't even get there for two days after he was suppose to check in to no fault but the weather. Will NEVER recommend or use again! read more

I enjoyed my stay at the Esperanto, Providence Guesthouse. I happened to be there when the volunteers were interesting and helpful and the other guests staying at the hostel for a longer period made it quite international. We exchanged foods, the place has a nice ambience, the beds comfortable and quiet hours are maintained later in the evening. There's an equipped kitchen to provide yourself with meals and grocery stores nearby. It's centrally located so that you can walk right into the downtown area and to the bus station. The hostel is equipped with house computers to use and a nice screen to hook-up computers to netflix. There are also large bulletin boards featuring the favorites of various guests, with good insights and leads into activities, cafes and restaurants in town and things to do in the area. I love the house cat Booshi that lives there too, that added a nice treat, along with the bird feeders outside the window. Really cozy and nice place. read more

great staff with always welcoming attitudes and insightful tips for when exploring Providence. as others say, very cozy and seem to make you feel right "at home". For some, the neighborhood may be worrisome, but in any city anywhere you just have to be "aware of your surroundings". Otherwise, convenient walking distance to downtown, The State House, Rhode Island School of Design Campus, and Brown University Campus. Definitely a nice place to relax and take a deep breath during the chaos of traveling. read more