Bon Paul & Sharky's Hostel

This place felt like home away from home! We met Oscar was who was best and he really made the stay so much better. The whole place was clean and organized and had a great vibe to it. Very laid back and we met a lot of great people there. We hope to be back soon!

I've stayed multiple times in all 3 hostels in Asheville, and I like each for different reasons. Bon Paul & Sharky's is definitely the "funkiest" of the 3, & depending upon who else is staying there, it probably has a bit more of a "party hostel" vibe to it. This hostel is in a great location if you don't want to be downtown but prefer the Haywood Road side of town--there are a ton of cool stores & great bars and restaurants within walking distance. Parking can be tight in the back, but you should be able to find nearby street parking. It's an older house--& while superficially everything looks fairly clean--truth be told the hostel could use a good deep cleaning. This hostel isn't as "nice" as the other hostels in town, but it's got a cool "Keep Asheville Weird" vibe that the others don't have. Clearly this hostel has been a "labor of love" for the owners, and I really enjoyed all the cool photos & ephemera they've filled with hostel with. Would def stay here again!

I loved staying here. I was in the cottage in the back. Staff were on the front porch when I arrived. Very friendly. Superb location. You'll feel like you're at home.

Super awesome place in the perfect location in West Asheville, within walking distance to so much at a more than fair price. Have stayed here several times and always enjoy it. Cool people in a cool place. Will be back.

We stayed in the cottage behind the main building. Lovely little small house. All was fine except for the shower...I fixed it.

Had to come back to Asheville on a work-related commitment after the hurricane and took a chance on this hostel. I met lovely first responders and a Norwegian film crew, all dealing with the direct impacts of Helene. I loved that the place was quiet for sleeping, but social enough for making new friends. Comfortable beds and the perfect level of heat on a cold night were a big plus. I would recommend this gem of a hostel, though hopefully it's great when there isn't a devastating hurricane too.

Great location, and I met some great people, which is why I use hostels. PROs: Someone made huge pots of soup for dinner the 2 nights I was there. -the water was nice and hot for showers (it's winter). -coffee shops, entertainment, bars are all close by. (Walkable) -Bed was very comfortable. CONs: -staff didn't help when someone parked and blocked my car in. -not very clean (kind of standard for hostels, but this one was a little more run down than usual) -was kept up at night by drunk men fighting outside on the street. (Prob a rare occurrence- i hope) -seems like staff are on site but out of sight. All diy check in. No one around to ask questions to. -kitchen was a bit dingey, not well labeled, fridge didn't work well, breakfast was like oatmeal packets and fruit cups. Overall, I had a good time, but it did not seem like they cared about the place.

Fantastic hostel with friendly people in a great location. I felt right at home in the shared bunk room, which has curtains on the beds for privacy that really do help. I'll absolutely stay again the next time I visit.

This place had no intention of confirming our stay months prior to us traveling across the country to stay -- but took our money. There was no one that worked there that was present to help us. We were told there were no beds for us and we were left stranded on a cold, rainy night that turned into a stressful weekend trying to find a place to stay. I wouldn't recommend this place. They're still defiant to give us a refund for a place we never had a place to stay. Please, don't commit this in your plans as a safe space to stay.

This was my first hostel experience and it was great! The space is clean, well organized, and has detailed instructions throughout the house. Check in instructions are sent the day of- a couple hours before check in. You're provided with a comforter, sheets, and towels are in the living room. The beds are very comfortable and bottom bunks have privacy curtains. They even put your name on your bunk! There's several parking spaces behind the building and lots of parking on the street. The house is within walking distance (like within 2-3 blocks) of bars, restaurants, shops, and a local grocery/deli. The workers at the hostel are super friendly and down to hang out. As a solo female I felt safe while on site and would definitely come stay again. They have a female dorm, 2 mixed dorms, and private rooms, a cottage, and tent camping space. There really is something for everyone. Keep in mind this is a shared space and is pretty close to a busy road- the hostel provides earplugs but if you are a light sleeper maybe bring headphones for those snoring guests.

I would love to come back to visit Asheville someday, especially because I didn't manage to finish off the list I made before getting there to visit the first time around. I definitely plan on staying at BPS again if that does get to happen! This was my first time staying in a hostel, but it was a lot of fun! I got there on a Friday evening and it was freakishly dark, and I couldn't see house numbers anywhere, so I called for halps and was directed to "the house with the Christmas lights on the porch--I'll go stand outside!" Since I booked the female dorm through AirBnB, I'd already paid, so checkin was super easy! Rules are pretty standard--no liquor/cigarettes/weaponry, no outside sheets, and check out at 11a.m., don't tell anyone the code to get in, and don't let anyone in. There were 3 bunks in the female dorm--the uninhabited beds already had clean sheets and blankets, so I picked one of the bottom bunks, deposited my stuff, and ventured downstairs to talk with people. There were lots of good suggestions for things to do and places to eat. The kitchen is stocked with spices and has most everything that you'd need to cook your own meals if you so desired. There's also free breakfast every morning (hardboiled eggs, cereal, toast, etc.), but since I was on a self-guided foodie tour and also finishing off leftovers, I didn't cook. There are free ear plugs available, but I've slept through gunshots and an exploding generator, and am also capable of falling asleep standing up, so I didn't need em'. It was a lot of fun meeting + talking to so many new people--I actually ended up spending the day with one of them off in the river arts district. Having that company and conversation was really nice, especially since so much of my residency roadtrip has been on my own! You may get heavy snorers as roommates, or overly enthuasiastic couples having very loud sexy-times next door, but I kinda expected that out of hostel living, and for $25/night, I can hardly complain! No one got super drunk and peed on my bed (apparently, this happened to the friend I'd made at one of the last hostels he stayed at), so I consider it a win on all levels. I would not recommend this to anyone who's super uppity, as they will likely not have a good time, but if you're generally a pretty friendly person and/or you come here with an open mind, you will be good to go! Pick up one of those "I slept with strangers" sticker before you leave! ;P P.S. If you come here on the weekend and the usual parking spots are taken, you can park in the lot next door, so long as you move it before school starts on Monday mornings!

I've stayed at BPS twice now in the private room and have had a great experience both times. The location in West Asheville is about 10 min from downtown but there is a lot to do in the area (although be warned it is pretty hipster). There are lots of bars and restaurants within walking distance to check out. The house itself is really quirky and laidback-- there's a great porch out front and out back for relaxing as well as a common area and kitchen. There are a few parking spaces around back but it can be tricking pulling in and out of the driveway so I recommend parking on the street (I'm a terrible parker). There's free wifi as well as a computer to use and they don't allow you to bring in your own sheets (but do bring your own towels). There's also camping if the hostel is full (or you are just trying to save money) and there's a cabin out back that can also be rented. Obviously, it's a hostel so the downsides of the place are the same as with all hostels-- the walls are pretty thin so you can hear most anything going on, it's not pristinely clean (although still pretty nice as far as hostels go), the breakfast is a little lacking, etc. What BPS has going for it that most places is the community vibe. The staff is super friendly and willing to answer any questions or just hang out with you. All of the other travelers that I met were also really friendly and fun to talk to. The first time I stayed they had a potluck for everyone staying there which was really fun and a good way to pass the time (especially as I was traveling alone). The other great thing about BPS is that it's dog friendly (as in really dog friendly). I brought my two dogs this past time and they were made to feel just as welcome as me-- they could run thru the house off their leash, they could sleep on the bed, everyone played with them-- it was great! Plus, several of the restaurants in the area and Pour Taproom next door are dog friendly which made it super easy to find places to take our pups. If you are heading to Asheville and want a laidback place to stay in a different side of town where you will meet lots of people, definitely check it out!

This is a review of the stand alone cabin in the back of the property. We booked this cabin through Air BnB. From the outside this cabin looks quaint in a good neighborhood. On the inside it smelled foul, dead bugs everywhere, and live gnats flying through the air. Tailor your expectations accordingly.

This was my first hostel experience during COVID-19 and it was so smooth! They emailed me clear instructions to get in and how the place works, I found my bed and enjoyed an amazing shower after several days camping in the smokies. My favorite part was that the hostel is a house, so I felt like I was staying at a friend's house! Very cozy and homey. Beds are comfy and have a little curtain on them for privacy. I got up and made a pot of coffee. Later at night enjoyed a beer on the porch. Location is great - close to many good breakfast spots. Loved the high quality products in the bathrooms, not the usual cheap stuff you find at other hostels. Also the hosts were very responsive at any issue. The backyard has a fire pit and clothes lines, so I was able to dry out my tent and sweaty hiking clothes! I'd definitely stay here again, thanks guys :)

Pretty shitty experience with this place. Wouldn't recommend. Hostel is currently going unstaffed due to Covid, which is fine, but they also can't be bothered to call you back when you have a problem, so you're kind of left to fend for yourself. Even if that means spending thousands of dollars on alternate accommodations because you can't access your room.

I will gladly return to Sharky's in the future if my travels lead me back through Asheville. This was the first hostel I've ever experienced and I'm glad. I was given a quick tour when i arrived and the people were friendly and accommodating. The other guests were also in good spirits even though our conversation was brief. The living room space was homey and I think it's nice to have that atmosphere, along with good company while traveling solo. I thought the rooms, kitchen, and bathroom were all very clean although I'm not the pickiest pear of prickly pears. I'm not sure about other hostel's but I like Sharky's policy of not allowing guests to bring in personal sheets, blankets, sleeping bags, etc. This prevents bed-bugs and I think it's a necessary measure to prolong the life and cleanliness of the mattresses. Other than that...I had a whale painted above my bunk and I think one of my sheets or pillow cases had Batman on them. You also won't have that in a hotel. Feel free to comment if you would like more details. Safe travels always, JV

I've never stayed here, my son did. Being a " Mom " I was concerned about my son's safety ..We live in the Southwest. I called and spoke to the staff and they assured me my Son was safe and they would have him contact me as soon as possible. Several hours later my son called me..he had been out with some new friends he made and everything was fine. The staff members are extremely understanding and helpful! Thank you all! :)

I've never stayed in a hostel before. My friend and I had planned to get a hotel, but we were in town for a music festival and Bon Paul and Sharky's was the only place we could get accommodations for less than $300/night. They had two openings - one in the coed room and one in the female room, so we jumped on it. $50 cash (I think they only take cash) for both of us (even though the website said $24/night, but I'm not going to argue over $2 and I think they knew that, too). They were decently nice, but there was a bit of a "too-cool-for-school" vibe going on. Ah well. We went to our show and came back late and crawled into our bunks. I was on the top bunk and the mattress felt similar to the one I slept on in the holding cell in jail. Thin and limp. I had to use the scratchy felt blanket and falling-apart sheet they provided as additional support in order to fall asleep at all and then I had nothing to cover me up. Luckily, I had brought my own Tempur-Pedic pillow, but I still only got a few hours of sleep. I'm not a diva or anything, but it was just too uncomfortable. I was, however, impressed with the shower. Hot water flowed even after several people had taken showers before me. So yay to that. I didn't pay an extra $1 for a towel -instead I just used my pajamas to dry off. See, I'm totally not a diva. :) Maybe the beds in their private rooms are better, but for $65/night, I would probably be better off paying a bit more for a hotel.

Staff was friendly, and the location really couldn't be better. It was a 3-mile walk to downtown, GREAT breweries and restaurants all along the way (Pour Taproom is literally next door!). Yippee! We didn't use the car once! They have a book exchange, and WiFi directions are posted in the main room. Light breakfast (bananas, bread and coffee) is available in the mornings. There's a nice deck out back, too, but we didn't use it, as we were out and about the entire trip. Room was bright and clean (we had the single upstairs with shared bath). There was a friend who visited my boyfriend while in the bathroom (a wee lil mouse who hopped over his foot!). This wasn't a problem for us-- just one sighting and he bothered no one. I would not recommend this hostel if you're a light sleeper. Then again, I probably wouldn't recommend ANY hostel if you're a light sleeper. The hostel appears to be an old home converted to commercial use. As such, floors, doors and walls are old and not the greatest at insulating noise. Overall, I was very pleased with my stay here-- incredibly laid back, as is the vibe of Asheville. :D

Comic Sans sign, quirky backstory with name. Communal spaces reminiscent of drama club enthusiast dorm room. Accommodations are not disgusting. High rando factor in dorm-style rooms June/July. Overall, if you say things like "we're all connected" and have a pin on your backpack quoting "not all who wander are lost," you'll probably be very excited about this hostel. TL;DR - Good spot for thrifty, sturdy extroverts. Not ideal for misanthropists with bad backs.

Sometimes a place can be better in your memories than in reality. I remember a nice retreat. A sweet, little house outfitted with a fully functional kitchen. It was cold outside but baseboard heat sufficed. The bathroom was rustic. The bedding spartan. The books on the shelf were gems. The price was just right for living on mentos and twizzlers. So close to the great venues of West Asheville. A great little place, for the moment, if you have the right perspective. I'll never return but will always remember.

This was a terrific hostel. It was very affordable, friendly, and well-run. We were given a quick, fun tour when we arrived, which covered the essentials and made us comfortable with our weekend home. They had great shared resources- food, books, movies, maps of Asheville and the App. Trail, and more. The rooms were comfortable, the location was nice, and our large group all enjoyed the hostel. I have only two suggestions...one is that they not keep a fish in a small aquarium (basically a large vase). I get it's part of the pirate/aquatic theme, but it was sad to sit in the common area and look at this fish swimming in circles because it had nowhere to go. Fish should really stay in their natural habitat, or if they have some special reason why they have to be in captivity (rehabilitation?), then at least give them sufficient space to enjoy their existence. (Yes, fish do have memories and feel emotions, like pain). Second, is more of a heads up to everyone about camp fires. (The hostel has a place for camp fires). Very few people think about the health hazard of being near an open fire, since humans have been having them for thousands of years and they smell and feel so comforting. Camp fires actually contain hundreds of compounds known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and irritating to the respiratory system. So please think about your health and read more about the health risks when you decide to be around or build an open fire. www.samharris.org/blog/item/the-fireplace-delusion

Amazing hostel!! It is in West Asheville, so it's in a quirkier part of town that I don't think other travelers would get a chance to see if they were staying in downtown. There are dorm rooms, private rooms, and the sweetest private room with a private bath and small kitchen (the cottage)-- all of which are super clean, and already have the beds made for you (a rarity!), and if you're lucky, you'll get a pretty rad power rangers or muppet print fitted sheet. Juuuuust saying. The staff are really friendly and helpful and put a lot of heart into the hostel. It has tons of books and plants and things to look at, as well as a hot tub in the backyard and a cozy porch in the front. It is easy to feel completely at home here.. I can't wait to go back!

I've stayed in quite a few hostels in the USA and in Europe, and I've gotta say this one is one of my faves. The staff is very friendly, its cheap, it right in the center of west asheville - with great cafes and indie shops.. near the City of ashville - Bikeable. The hostel itself is decently clean. 2 bathrooms, full kitchen (and group meals), offers group hikes, bikes to borrow. They even have a Hot tub, though from what I heard its kinda gross. and If you don't want to stay in the hostel, you can camp out in the backyard. There's lotsa drunken get-togethers on the front porch late night.

My boyfriend and I camped here for a night during a weekend stay in Asheville and liked it! We got the camping spot on late notice and paid $18/person cash (be sure to have cash for your payment) for the night. Normal hostel - free wifi and computer inside, free light breakfast, and nice people. Only issue was that there were 2 bathrooms for everyone in the hostel and that meant waiting or feeling awkwardly rushed while you were in the bathroom. It's in West Asheville, which has a couple outstanding well-known establishments as well as some up-and-coming (but still great) places to eat, drink, shop, and listen to live music. Important note: bring your own towel! They'll rent you one for $1/day I think and I'm not sure what quality those are, but I'd suggest remembering to bring your own.

Helpful staff+new friends+a community style dinner+drinks on the town+ hot tub in the rain+clean shower and bathroom= $17?! Sharky's = WIN on an adventure? you're going to feel right at home :)

I was in Asheville for Moogfest, and while it would have been nice to stay somewhere in walking distance to the clubs I could stay here and drive in for a lot cheaper than I could stay elsewhere. So this already had the price going for it, but when I saw the sign on the front offering Bill Murray a free opportunity to crash I knew I was someplace special. I had a very late check-in but from talking to them on the phone we worked it all out. It's a pretty chilled-out place and the mornings start a bit when they want the morning to start (about 8-8:30ish in my experience) but being laid-back comes with the West Asheville territory. Truth be told, I spent very little time here. Days spent hiking, nights spent Mooging. But when I'd return around 1ish, it was a quiet place and I had a comfortable rest on the lower bunks in the shared room. In the mornings, I would share some talks with the one other traveler who woke up as early as me before walking out for some good coffee down the road. It made for a nice base. I visit Asheville every so often, and if I return for solo trips I know where I'll be staying. And the next time I run into Bill Murray, I'll try to remember to tell him about the place too.

I LOVE BON PAUL AND SHARKY"S I have stayed here numerous times to work in the area - ultimately resulting in my residence in this great town. Each time I came Bon Paul and Sharky's it seemed more and more like home. Joe (the owner) is kind, funny and personable, and when he's not in town leaves the place in great hands. One of my favorite perks of this place is a variety of places to hang out or do whatever it is you want. Many hostels have one or two common areas and have all kinds of restrictions on when you can be there. At Bon Paul's there is a front porch, living room, kitchen, back porch, HOT TUB and back yard. Often some of these places have travelers hanging out, sometimes they are empty. Like many hostels, the kitchen is moderately equipped and totally available for use by anyone staying - but really, you should go out and check out all the restaurants Asheville has to offer. Go get a Tempeh Ruben somewhere, you wont regret it. Another great feature of BPAS is a variety of staying arrangements - there are private rooms, co-ed and single sex dorms and camping available. only thing to be careful of -Bring cash. no credit cards here.

I've stayed here twice and had good experiences both times. The first time, my wife and I reserved a private room which was homey and provided lots of natural light. There are a total of 3 shared bathrooms. There's a beautiful front porch to sit and relax on with a swing. The backyard is equipped with a back porch to gather with your new hostel friends, a yard where tents are pitched, a few parking spaces, and a tiny cabin. From the hostel, you can walk to just about anything: a bar, a breakfast joint, a restaurant, a book store, and arcade room, a gas station, a general store, you name it! I love this place and this area, and I'm certain we will be back a third time.

Home sweet hostel A traveler's hostel, for and by travelers. An amazing place to meet amazing people. This is one of my favorite spots in the world, the front porch especially. You'll get a homey, relaxed atmosphere with plenty of common areas and shared kitchen. There are often shared meals, especially around weekend time. I think spaghetti is the standard. There are PLENTY of restaurants and really cool bars within walking distance, and new ones seem to be popping up all the time as West Asheville develops. Expect to meet some new folks, share great stories, and possibly stay up way too late, if you're so inclined. Like many travelers' hostels, they don't allow local guests, so you're sure to meet folk from all over the place. There seems to always be a resident Aussie and/or Irish dude.

What a wonderful lil' hostel. Joe was our host and was very friendly, funny, and accommodating. Clean, kitschy, and cozy, this place is in a decent location and there are many neat little shops/restaurants/stores within walking distance. Excellent brunch-lunch-dinner place called Sunnypoint that serves delicious food made with house-grown veggies! If I ever return to this area, I will definitely be staying here again.

Good, inexpensive place, with a few caveats. You're probably better off bringing a tent and setting it up in the backyard (the beds here are not the best). There is space for three tents at most in the postage-stamp sized backyard, and you will need to be able to negotiate tent around organic garden, clothes line, fire pit, etc... Justin is a hard-working manager who cares, but he is currently overworked and understaffed. He does try to make everyone feel comfortable, and many people who stay here get to know him on a personal level. The group that gathers here at any given time totally sets the tone of this place. When people pitch in to keep the kitchen clean, wipe down the bathtubs with bleach after use, wash their dishes and wrap up their food immediately after eating, make an effort to clean up the bottles on the back porch, and use the hot tub without whining about how dirty it can be (it would need to be cleaned daily to remain pristine, and this is not possible), this hostel becomes a more positive environment for everyone who stays here. Conversely, this place can turn into a dirty frat house real fast when people aren't conscious of their impact, particularly the kitchen. Typically a friendly place, with people drinking on back porch, and going out with other hostelers to see bands along Haywood Ave. at night. People went all out for 2009 4th of July pot-luck, so everyone had good food and drink.

Super cool place. Very clean! My first experience in a hostel so I had no idea what to expect. Everyone was friendly and helped with restaurant and nightlife tips! And a single was only $26! Def can't beat that!

I stayed here for a week, on a random whim. The manager is amazing and he sets the tone for a happy respectful, yet exciting hostel experience. This is a social hostel, where people congregate on the porch, meet up and go on hikes together, make community meals, etc. The location in West Asheville is really great. There are a couple nice bars two blocks away, as well as a co-op, grocery store, liquor store, gas station, and some fabulous restaurants for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The area has a new age Main Street feel. You can venture the mile and a half downtown, or you can have a fabulous experience in the vibrant little microcosm of West Asheville too! They definitely keep the place clean and its the more affordable than the other hostels in the area and parking is free!

We started off on a great foot with the staff at Bon Paul and Sharky;s as they let us change our dates and upgrade our rooms on very short notice. The staff was super flexible. It's was really clean and quite and Haywood Ave has awesome grub and a couple of nice bars. The area has a lot to do and there is a grocery store near by. There was also a pot luck that happens every Tuesdsay. All and all we'd stop by again if we were in Asheville.

Bon Paul & Sharky's is the shit. End of story. The continental breakfast each morning until 11 a.m. is key. The staff are friendly, helpful, accommodating, and, well, human! I had the misfortune of staying at Sweet Peas hostel in downtown Asheville for a week that felt more like seven years in hell than seven days in a homey sanctuary, as they so falsely claim to provide their guests. This hostel is hip, clean, and just a great spot to be. Located in the heart of West Asheville, it's surrounded by bars, all sorts of eateries, and plenty of local shopping. I never once felt unwelcome or that my presence was a burden to staff; the staff working here genuinely care about your Asheville/hostel experience, and will gladly sit down to chat, relax, and relate to you on a human level. If you're looking for a sterile, unfriendly, controlling atmosphere that feels more like a dungeon owned and operated by Mr. Clean and his henchmen Mophead and Windex, then please head on over to Sweet Peas hostel, and get ready to be raped by a $10-a-day parking garage hell, rude staff, and just a general vibe that your every move is being recorded via video cameras. (HINT -- you ARE being recorded and Big Brother is ALWAYS watching at Sweet Peas. Not even the bathrooms are safe; Sweet Peas gives you comfort knowing that the very flow/direction/color of your piss stream is being monitored by an overhead camera aimed directly at the giant bathroom mirror. I can only assume something similar of the female bathroom.) Bon Paul & Sharky's provides you with the opportunity for both privacy and mingling with all sorts of amazing people from all walks of life from all over the globe. There's a covered front porch with a bench and a swing, where one can enjoy watching Haywood Road bustle before them over a cup of free coffee/tea. There's also a huge deck, a firepit, and all sorts of quirky gifts/murals left by former guests. You can camp, get a bunk in a dorm-style room, get a private room, or rent the quaint studio cottage out back. There are options here, and guests always come first. You don't have to feel like a criminal for getting a midnight snack from the fridge, nor will you be constantly reminded that there is ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED IN THE HOSTEL by way of laminated, bold-face signs posted around nearly every corner. Bon Paul & Sharky's has created a comfortable place for travelers to rest, connect, and exist without creating a hostile environment full of absurd rules for the sake of control. It is truly a home away from home. All this being said, Bon Paul & Sharky's is the way to go, unless, of course, you like someone watching you pee...

Awesome hostel! Friendly, clean and great area. Free towels and nice breakfast. Walking distance to many spots

I booked a one-night stay through Airbnb in one of the dorm bunk beds and thoroughly enjoyed the stay. The hostel is in a lovely converted house and I was impressed with how clean the place is. kept. Breakfast was included which was an added bonus. The staff were friendly and helpful and the environment made it good for interaction with other guests. While the West Asheville location is a little out of the central city, there's plenty of good bars, cafes and food places within a short walking distance. When I'm next in Asheville I wouldn't hesistate to visit here again.

Although I often enjoy the covenience, comforts and amenities of hotels, I agreed to make my first hostel stay, during a recent weekend, group hiking trip. After reviewing some hostels around the Asheville area, Bon Paul & Sharky's was chosen. The reviews were great, but still, I wondered about the level of cleanliness, safeness, and the others who'd share those spaces. I arrived with a group of six and was promptly greeted by Joe and given a welcoming tour of the house. Those things that attract me to some hotels were at this hostel, even more. Complete with a full kitchen, living room, dining room, two full bathrooms with showers, outdoor spa and deck, a large front porch, backyard for tents, and storage lockers (bring your own locks). I'm glad to say that my first hostel experience was safe, clean and fun. Staying there was like being part of a small family of distant relatives, just getting to know each other better, this, not likely at a hotel. The staff and other guests were all friendly and helpful, full of good conversations and laughter. As BP&S is located right in the heart of the happenings of West Asheville, it was a simple stroll down the sidwalk to extend the good times. We had an awesome time hanging out. As long as this establishment remains open, they've surely got me as a return guest. In addition to Joe, I'd like to acknowledge April for being an awesome host. Finally, if you're considering Bon Paul & Sharky's, forget about it and make your reservation already; you'll be glad ya did.

Stayed for 2 weeks and it was comfortable, clean, and really quiet for a hostel. The computer was slow which was a bit of a downer, the street was busy and loud, only 2 showers for max capacity of 30 guests, hot tub was a Luke-warm tub, but joe and his dog Nina were nice. Not a young crowd like I had expected, but actually a lot of older adults.

Bon Paul and Sharky's is great and I have a crush on Asheville now. The young gents running the show here were friendly and engaging. My friends and I had a good time drinking booze by the fire with Jeremy. I wouldn't stay anywhere else.

Great place to stay if you have a dog and want to avoid the chain hotels. The pillows were kinda thin, and the bed kinda stiff, (it is a hostel after all) but the people are friendly and they've got parking out back. If I bring my dog to Asheville again, I'll be staying here.

This place is great! Zach cooked us a delicious pasta dinner and gave great tips on where to go (try the Admiral on a Saturday night!). Overall a very clean, accommodating and affordable hostel. I'll stay again!

Great hostel! Very homey with a nice living room and friendly staff. Free parking out back. Supposedly an operational hot tub in the summer (wasn't open yet when we stayed). The shower doesn't have great water pressure, but other than that I loved the place.

Clean, simple decor, friendly staff and very comfortable beds. 3 bathrooms and 2 spacious porches as well as camping spots. This place is great! Plus location is good as its not in an over stimulating area but there are plenty of restraunts, cafes and other stores around. Locals vibe! Only complaint is pillows are not comfortable... Other than that small detail this place is a great spot to rest your precious head while visiting Ashville!

This is the place! Nathan and Zach (the 2 guys who run it) were excellent hosts. They are very knowledgeable about the area and are very kind as well. They are good about screening the clientele and are quick to turn away any shady characters. Everyone who was there when I stayed were quality people. I never felt the slightest bit uneasy. The place was very clean and had good off street parking. There is a kitchen with pretty much anything you would need if you want to bring in your own food and cook, as some did when I was there. There's a light breakfast of bananas, toast, cereal, or eggs in the morning if you like. My bed was comfortable, and I rested well both nights. There are lots of restaurants, clubs, and grocery, and convenience stores within walking distance. I highly recommend that you stay here when you come to Asheville. I will most certainly be back!

Bon Paul & Sharky's is a great, affordable way to explore Asheville. It is in the smaller, up and coming West Asheville neighborhood just a few minutes from the busier downtown area with great restaurants, bars, music venues and shops within walking and biking distance. There is also free parking! I have stayed in coed dorms as well as the private cabin that is behind the main house and both have been a great experience. The common areas in the house are kept very clean and feel very cozy and friendly. I've also stayed in the hostel downtown but prefer BP&S because there is more socialization amongst guests. Most nights there were people cooking and eating together or hanging out on the front porch. The staff is also great. They are flexible and relaxed but are there for anything you need and to help you navigate the area. BP&S is definitely the best way to explore Asheville with new friends without getting stuck in the most touristy areas and to feel more at home.

i was told that there were only premium rooms available, so I payed more than a hotel. the place was empty. I talked to someone local, and they said that the place has a reputation for that.

Loved this place. In the perfect spot for doing some in town exploring. Is in West Asheville so if you don't drive as this fella doesn't, don't expect to get to downtown by walking. However, it is right between two public bus system stops and they aren't far either way and you can get to downtown by riding it to the main station. There are plenty of food and drink options within a walking distance. This was my first hostel and if others are like this I will no longer be staying in your standard hotels. If you are traveling and want a great experience, I highly recommend this place. Great people, great place, and great vibes make this place feel like home. Enjoy a beer with others on the front porch while someone plays music. You may even wind up singing Wagon Wheel with them. Don't hesitate and get your bed here.