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Summary of reviewsHI Boston Hostel is highly regarded for its unbeatable downtown location in Chinatown, Boston with easy access to major landmarks such as Boston Common, the Public Garden and the Freedom Trail. The hostel's central position provides convenience for dining, shopping and public transport, making it an excellent base for exploring the city. The well-maintained facilities, clean and spacious rooms and common areas add to its appeal, complemented by a friendly and helpful staff that enhances the overall guest experience.
Guests appreciate the complimentary breakfast, which includes a variety of items such as cereal, yogurt, bagels, toast and beverages like coffee, tea and juice. Despite some suggestions for more variety, the breakfast is generally seen as a convenient and cost-saving start to the day.
The rooms at HI Boston Hostel are noted for their cleanliness and spaciousness. While some guests mention occasional temperature control and noise issues, the modern, well-equipped private rooms and clean bathrooms contribute to a satisfactory stay. The presence of spacious lockers, individual lights and plugs for each bed and communal activities further enrich the experience.
Cleanliness is a strong point at the hostel with high standards of hygiene maintained across rooms, bathrooms and communal spaces. The dedicated housekeeping staff ensure a spotless environment, making it a reliable choice for travelers seeking a clean and secure stay.
The staff at HI Boston Hostel receive positive feedback for their friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness, contributing significantly to a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. Though there are occasional reports of rudeness, the overall impression is that the staff greatly enhance the guest experience.
The free WiFi service is generally reliable and strong, particularly in coworking spaces, though some dormitory rooms experience connectivity issues. Nonetheless, the included internet access remains a favored amenity.
The hostel's vibrant social scene and organized nightlife activities, including pub tours and movie nights, offer excellent opportunities for guests to socialize and enjoy Boston's entertainment options. The lively atmosphere, coupled with the central location, makes it a great choice for those seeking to immerse themselves in the city's nightlife.
Beds at the hostel provide a mixed experience with many guests finding them comfortable and clean. However, noise from bed frames and a lack of privacy curtains are noted drawbacks. The beds are equipped with personal outlets and lamps, adding convenience for guests.
Overall, HI Boston Hostel stands out as a budget-friendly option, offering cleanliness, modern facilities and excellent service. Its central location, combined with practical amenities and a vibrant social atmosphere, provides great value for money, rivaling more expensive accommodations. The hostel also offers commendable accessibility for guests with disabilities, ensuring a convenient and comfortable stay for all travelers. Show more
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Categories
Hostel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Hostel near Nightlife Spots
Accessible Hostel
Hostel for Adults Only
3-Star Hostel
Room Types
Private Queen Room EnsuiteThis room is air conditioned.
Bed in Men's 4-Bed DormitoryThis room offers air-conditioning and heating.
Bed in Men's 6-Bed DormitoryThis room offers air-conditioning and heating.
Bed in All Gender 4-Bed DormitoryThis room offers air-conditioning and heating.
Please note, the mixed dormitory space is reserved for guests in parties of 2 or more. No single travellers are permitted.
Bed in Women's 4-Bed DormitoryThis room offers air-conditioning and heating.
Bed in All-Gender 6-Bed DormitoryThis room offers air-conditioning and heating.
Bed in Women's 6-Bed DormitoryThis room offers air-conditioning and heating.
Bed in Women's 8-Bed DormitoryThis bed in dormitory features air conditioning.
Bed in Men's 8 - Bed DormitoryThis bed in dormitory has air conditioning.
Guest Reviews
8.3
Very Good
Location
HI Boston Hostel is consistently praised for its unparalleled location in the heart of downtown Boston. Guests frequently highlight the hostel's proximity to major landmarks such as Boston Common, the Public Garden and the Freedom Trail, all within walking distance. Its central position in Chinatown also offers easy access to multiple subway lines, South Station and the bustling theater district.
Visitors find the hostel strategically placed near numerous restaurants, supermarkets and clothing stores, making it convenient for both dining and shopping. Accessible public transport options make it easy to explore the city, whether heading to the airport, attending events at the convention center or visiting nearby universities like MIT and Boston University.
The central location is complemented by the hostel's well-maintained facilities, including spacious rooms, clean bathrooms and inviting common areas. The friendly and helpful staff, combined with the excellent value for the price, further enhance the overall experience, making HI Boston Hostel a highly recommended choice for travelers seeking to explore the vibrant city of Boston.
Breakfast
Guests at HI Boston Hostel have largely appreciated the free breakfast, often highlighting its inclusion as a positive aspect of their stay. Many found the breakfast offerings to be ample, varied and a good value for money with items such as cereal, yogurt, bagels, toast, peanut butter and jams available. Some guests particularly enjoyed the addition of Greek yogurt and Nutella, describing the breakfast as well-stocked and delicious.
The inclusion of beverages like coffee, tea and juice was also well-received. Moreover, the extended breakfast hours accommodated both early risers and late sleepers, adding to the convenience.
However, some reviews pointed out areas for improvement, indicating a desire for more varied options such as eggs or cheese to be included. A few guests felt the breakfast could have been better organized and noted the limited variety on certain days. Despite these critiques, the consensus suggests that the breakfast provided by HI Boston Hostel offers a satisfying start to the day for most travelers.
Overall, while there are minor areas for improvement, the complimentary breakfast at HI Boston Hostel is generally seen as a convenient, cost-saving amenity that enhances the stay.
Rooms
The reviews for HI Boston Hostel present a mixed but generally positive picture of the rooms and facilities. Guests frequently highlight the cleanliness and spaciousness of the rooms. Many appreciated the modern look and well-equipped nature of the private rooms, which were described as large, comfortable and offering good value for money. High ceilings and sufficient luggage lockers were commonly praised, enhancing the overall convenience of the stay.
Several reviewers noted that the hostel's rooms were consistently clean and tidy with comfortable beds and bedding. The bathrooms, both shared and private, were reported to be clean and readily available on each floor, contributing to a satisfactory experience. The presence of spacious lockers and individual lights and plugs for each bed was also well-received.
However, some aspects could see improvement. There were multiple mentions of temperature control issues with rooms being either too cold or too hot. Ventilation and the noise from self-closing heavy doors were also points of concern. Additionally, some guests found the rooms smaller and more basic than expected, leading to discomfort, especially in dormitory settings where the space was often crowded.
Moreover, amenities like privacy curtains for bunk beds and more consistent cleaning services could enhance the overall guest experience. Despite these drawbacks, the general sentiment about the rooms was positive, making HI Boston Hostel a commendable choice for travelers valuing cleanliness, comfort and a central location. The hostel's communal activities and free breakfast also added to the guests' enjoyable stay.
Beds
Nestled in the heart of Boston, HI Boston Hostel offers a mixed experience when it comes to the comfort of its beds. Many guests found the beds to be comfortable with several highlighting their soft and cozy nature as conducive to a great night's sleep. Cleanliness was another positive note with clean sheets and bedding provided, adding to the overall comfort of the experience.
However, while some mattresses were praised for their firmness and comfort, others appeared worn and sagging, detracting from the sleep quality for some guests. Noise was a recurring theme with reports of squeaky bed frames and creaky bunk beds that could disrupt light sleepers. The hostel's metal bed frames, while sturdy, contributed to the noise issue.
Privacy is another area with mixed reviews. The beds are basic and lack curtains, leading to a lack of privacy for those staying in shared dormitories. On a positive note, the beds are equipped with personal outlets and lamps, which adds a layer of convenience.
Size was another concern for taller guests, who found the beds a bit too short for comfort. Additionally, some guests had issues with making their own beds upon arrival, which isn't a common preference.
Overall, HI Boston Hostel provides a decent sleeping arrangement for budget-conscious travelers with generally comfortable beds, clean bedding and useful personal amenities. However, potential visitors should be prepared for some noise and bring earplugs and perhaps a willingness to sacrifice some privacy and space for the sake of location and affordability.
Cleanliness
HI Boston Hostel consistently receives high marks for its cleanliness and modernity. Guests frequently mention that both rooms and shared bathrooms are well-kept and tended to daily with a high standard of hygiene being maintained across the property. Even the communal spaces and facilities are often highlighted as very clean and well-organized. The housekeeping staff do an excellent job, ensuring that everything from the bed linens to the bath mats is spotless. Many reviews note the safety and comfort of the hostel as additional positives with clean and spacious lockers available for personal belongings. While there were a few mentions of cleanliness not being up to par in some specific areas or during certain times, the overall impression remains positive. The hostel's emphasis on maintaining a neat, tidy and welcoming environment makes it a reliable choice for travelers seeking a clean and secure stay in downtown Boston.
Staff
The reviews of HI Boston Hostel reveal a predominantly positive impression of the staff, repeatedly highlighted for their friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness. Guests frequently described the staff as professional, supportive, courteous and accommodating. Many appreciated the warm welcome with several specific mentions of staff members who went above and beyond to provide excellent service. The common areas, location and secure luggage storage also received praise, contributing to an overall positive experience.
However, there were a handful of less favorable comments noting instances of rudeness, unfriendliness and lack of customer service from certain staff members. Despite these occasional negative interactions, the general sentiment remains positive, suggesting that most staff members at HI Boston Hostel significantly enhance the guest experience.
Interacting with the front desk was often described as pleasant with staff providing useful recommendations and maps and demonstrating patience and politeness. Many guests felt that the supportive and friendly environment, coupled with the hostel's favorable location and amenities, made their stay enjoyable and memorable. In summary, HI Boston Hostel seems to boast a generally excellent team, contributing greatly to the hostel's inviting atmosphere and overall guest satisfaction, albeit with sporadic lapses in service quality from a few individuals.
Wi-Fi
At HI Boston Hostel, the WiFi experience generally receives positive feedback with many guests highlighting the strong and reliable internet connection available throughout the property. The WiFi is described as fast and excellent in several reviews, especially in the coworking spaces where the connection is notably strong and super quick, making it ideal for work-related tasks. Guests also appreciate the free WiFi access, which is widely available across the hostel.
However, the WiFi performance in the dormitory rooms has mixed reviews. While some guests report a good and stable connection in their rooms, others experience poor or sporadic connectivity, particularly on the 4th floor or in specific areas. Some users note that the WiFi doesn’t reach all rooms evenly, causing issues with streaming services and overall internet reliability.
Despite these occasional setbacks, the WiFi service at HI Boston Hostel is generally well-received and the included internet access remains a favored amenity among guests, contributing to a positive and productive stay for most visitors.
Nightlife
Situated in the heart of Boston, HI Boston Hostel stands out not just for its prime location but also for its vibrant social scene and plethora of nightlife activities. The hostel is conveniently close to a variety of bars, clubs and restaurants, making it an excellent choice for those looking to explore the city's dining and entertainment options. The nearby Chinatown and Irish pub add local flavor to the experience.
Guests frequently mention the well-organized social events, including pub tours, movie nights and pub crawls, which offer great opportunities to meet new people. Particularly popular are the events led by enthusiastic staff and volunteers, such as the pub crawl with Anthony and a volunteer-led pub crawl on New Year's Eve. Free activities like pizza nights and dinners further enhance the sense of community.
The atmosphere at the hostel itself is lively and welcoming with many guests appreciating the sense of life, community and culture fostered by the hostel's events and amenities. However, some guests noted the occasional noise in the halls and the presence of drunk college students returning late at night, which could be a minor drawback for those seeking tranquility.
Overall, HI Boston Hostel earns praise for its unbeatable location, excellent service and the vibrant evening atmosphere it offers, making it a great choice for travelers looking to immerse themselves in Boston's nightlife.
3 Star
HI Boston Hostel stands out as a budget-friendly and functional option in the heart of Boston, offering a unique blend of affordability and high standards. Guests consistently describe the hostel as providing service and cleanliness comparable to three-star hotels, making it an excellent value for money. The accommodations, including private rooms, are praised for being as nice as a five-star hotel's, especially for those who are focused on business or leisure activities and need a comfortable place to rest. The hostel is especially noted for being practical rather than luxurious, making it ideal for short stays. Overall with its free breakfast and other amenities, HI Boston Hostel offers a great experience that rivals more expensive three-star hotels in the city.
Accessible
HI Boston Hostel offers a commendable level of accessibility for guests with disabilities, making it a convenient choice for travelers needing special accommodations. The hostel is located centrally in Boston, which allows for easy navigation to and from various points of interest and is well-connected to public transportation, including proximity to the subway and airport bus routes. Guests have praised the location as being accessible and easy to find with many highlighting the ease of accessing major attractions either by foot or via nearby subway stations.
For those with mobility issues, the hostel provides key accessible features such as handicapped accessible rooms and private bathrooms. The presence of an elevator further facilitates ease of movement within the hostel. Additionally, the hostel staff, especially individuals like Zoe, have been noted for their helpfulness towards wheelchair users, ensuring that their needs are addressed promptly.
The hostel also boasts numerous positive amenities including spacious lockers, a community kitchen, several common areas and clean, modern facilities. The complimentary breakfast, though limited in options, is deemed sufficient by guests. The presence of recreational facilities like a pool table adds to the overall pleasant ambiance of the hostel.
The hostel's close vicinity to Chinatown and various bars, clubs and restaurants ensures that guests can easily explore the vibrant local dining and nightlife scene. Overall, HI Boston Hostel stands out for its strategic location, ease of access and attentive service, making it a highly recommended option for travelers, including those with disabilities.
No, HI Boston Hostel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at HI Boston Hostel.
No, HI Boston Hostel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at HI Boston Hostel.