HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel

I've been to four different Hostel International branches, and they are all amazing—Santa Monica is no different. One thing I love about HI Hostels is the consistency. You’ll find the same amenities across all branches: same-size lockers, two outlets by your bed, a bed light, three other dudes snoring, water-filling stations, vending machines, clean bathrooms, laundry and so on. The quality of the breakfast was also similar at all the branches I’ve been to (though SM charges you $5). Another thing is the location. At all three locations I stayed in, they were at the center of the city. Five minutes’ walk to CVS and Trader Joe’s and ten minutes to the railway, which saves you so much time. The common spaces have a pool table you can play at no cost, desks to study, and even books. Plus, the yard at HI SM is beautiful; I find it very relaxing. The staff are always kind and helpful. The events they organize help solo travelers like myself find friends and make great memories. I made friends from different countries with whom I almost talk daily. About the comedy show... I don’t know, man....

Always like staying here when I come LA, nice location near the beach and felt safe here. They also take card payment on your phone which was very handy. Had events on everyday so there is always something to do, they also have a study room where you can work.

I really enjoyed the comedy show, my roommates, the kitchen, and the courtyard. I also really loved how close it was to the pier and lots of nice places to get drinks and food. The kitchen is really big and accessible. I appreciated the free bin! We did have an issue with a homeless person sitting out by the front of the hostel but the security and front desk staff took care of us and made sure we were safe by removing the woman from the property. They offered to give us an escort to ensure we made it safely getting to and from the hostel which was also a nice option to have.

Perfectly clean! Totally trustworthy. Lots of events. Great crowd of people. Great staff. Amazing location, accessible to beach and transit, and located in one of the few neighborhoods in LA you can walk around and find food, live music, etc (even if it’s a bit touristy). Has laundry and free light breakfast and bike storage and luggage storage for $5/day. Obviously sharing a room with other people is not for everyone, but for the value you get I think it is totally worth it! You’ll be much happier here than in a dirty motel in a random LA neighborhood, which would still cost you more.

I stayed here for two nights at the end of May 2025 on a bicycle ride from Santa Barbara to San Diego. If what you want is a hostel, this is a great one! Clean through out: room, kitchen, bathrooms/showers, common areas. Kitchen is restaurant quality, large with many of amenities. There is even a free pool table which for me was a highlight. Close to many services and destinations. Rooms have lockers for items needing security. Friendly and helpful staff. Safe area. I've stayed in many hostels (I'm 62) and this is the best I've been to. (I didn't give the room five stars because it is still a hostel.)

Friendly and warm welcome, the people working there are super friendly and always ready to help! Big full furnished kitchen at disposal. Small and basic breakfast, which for the modest price of 5$ is actually quite good, with coffee always available even after breakfast time!

I want to share a very serious concern about safety at this hostel. During my stay, another guest brought a firearm into the dormitory and became violent. There were clear warning signs beforehand — including aggressive behavior and visible property damage such as broken windows — that should have raised immediate red flags. Despite these obvious risks, staff refused to contact the police even after I reported the situation. This left me feeling extremely unsafe. For a place that advertises itself as a welcoming and secure environment for travelers, the lack of response to such a dangerous incident is unacceptable. I strongly urge management to review their safety policies, train staff on how to respond appropriately to violent or threatening behavior, and put guest security first. Until then, I cannot recommend staying here.

Today is my last day at HI Los Angeles Santa Monica, and I honestly feel like I made the best choice. The hostel and bathrooms are clean, the dining room is big, there’s a pool table and a fireplace with couches around it — super cozy vibe. The room I stayed in was nice and had air conditioning, two big windows, and a comfy bed. I guess I was lucky to have really nice and respectful roommates too. The front desk staff were great. There’s even an ATM in the lobby. The location is perfect — close to shops and restaurants. I didn’t use public transport, but I saw there’s a bus stop and metro station nearby. My experience was 10/10. They also sell snacks and drinks at the reception. The breakfast they serve has good options — for me, it was really good. Thanks so much!