HI San Diego Downtown Hostel

It's not the best hostel I've been to, but also not the worst! Decent location, although definitely louder at night. I slept warm because a roommate must have turned off the window AC unit. Check-in was wonderful, very kind and professional. I appreciate having a towel included, an ensuite bathroom in the room and a privacy curtain on my bunk. The kitchen facilities have all the necessities and there's a Ralph's about ten minutes away walking. Public transportation is very convenient and getting to and from the airport is easy. Cute artwork and nice chill music.

I just came back from staying at this hostel. The rooms were nice, the staff is friendly and welcoming, and the location is good. Some people have complained about the noise level but honestly I didn't hear anything with earplugs in (I may of been lucky with the location of my room. Plus I stayed in the off season of San Diego, maybe it's different in the Summer). My only minor criticism is that I wish the shelves by the bed were a bit larger. I had a hard time putting all the things I needed to get ready in the morning on the small shelf (granted, there are lockers, but I like having all my toiletries out on the shelf). Overall I would recommend this hostel to others.

So hanging out in SD waiting for my flight (red eye).After lunch nap was calling me so I found this place on Google. I walked over after they told me the price. I didn't expect much. The security and staff made me instantly comfortable. I've only stayed at a few hostels before this is hand down the best. The common areas and diets were great. Cream quiet place to rest in the heart of the Gaslamp.

It's a good budget place. The location is also very good. I stayed for a conference and saw lots of other people from the conference as well. The kitchen is well equipped. There were dozens of great places to eat within 5 min walk. Staffs are friendly as well

Great location at a walking distance of everything at Gaslamp. The staff is super helpful and always there to go the extra mile. Clean, with a nice playroom and a kitchen that includes everything you'll need if you plan to cook. Super recommended (as all the HI I've been), would go back.

The staff does do their best to accommodate you, but the building itself has terrible sound isolation. You can hear EVERYTHING outside the room, the motorcycles, cars music, all of it. To make matters worse, they have music playing throughout the building during the day, which they cannot control unless a manager is not on the premise. If you’re jet lagged or have a headache, then you will not be able to rest The staff did change my street facing room to a different one, and it seems that they were able to turn off the music eventually, but it was still the worst night sleep I’ve ever had to be honest...

A decent enough hostel. If only it were in a better location and had a more friendly atmosphere. It’s spacious, quiet, and nice inside but just lacks some love. The northwest facing window made the room roast during sunset, and my bag reeked of urine after sitting in the locker for a few days. Weird. Staff is overall responsive but just there to do their job. It is a bigger hostel after all. I left a night early to go to another hostel by the beach.

Had a great stay here while I was in town for a conference and sightseeing. The beds have a privacy curtain and individual power sockets, and there were plenty of bathrooms. Safe area for a solo traveler and it was easy walking distance to the conference center. There are large lockers you can fit your bags in. I would stay here again!

I had amazing time about 2 weeks lived here. Location: It is located on Market st and 5th Ave Downtown, in center of Gaslamp area so very convienient for everything. Near by CVS, close to Ralps market, restaurants, bar club.... Room: they clean everyday. They give you shower towel for each bed, also there are a lot of towel in bathroom. So many bathroom in this hostel, one in room and another 2 each floor. Kitchen: this area is big and comfortable with all of stuffs you can use. Open 24 hours, whenever you feel hungry you can make some foods. Hot water, coffee machine,....always ready for you. Laundry: $1 for wash and $1 for dry. Only quarter so you can get change at cashier. A little but old system but good condition and working very well. Customer service: They have so many people who work as a receptionist at different time. I lived here 2 weeks and met all. All of them is friendly, kindly, helful and professional. Impressive work!!! Price: Im pretty sure you will get cheaper price when you book the room at this hostel, or on official hostel's website more than on any online app. And cheaper if you book on weekday compare to weekend. Great job Hi SD hostel team!!! Very high recommendation for all of travellers around the worlds!!!!

just stayed at this hostel and it was wonderful! The room was spotless, cozy and decked out. The crew went the extra mile to make my stay enjoyable. The breakfast options were tasty and the site is convenient for investigating the area. I'd definitely return!

HI is one of the cheapest options for accommodation, so you get what you pay for. I'd recommend only staying for a day or two, but it's fine if you just want a roof over your head. While the place advertises meeting new people, most people just keep to themselves. You get a bunk and a large locker to yourself, and then everything else is shared. The bed and pillows left my back and neck so stiff, I could not last another day on them. The bed just gives in the middle so it's terrible for back sleepers. The toilet and shower were good, water pressure and heat were great. They have extra full bathrooms around the floor so you should always have one available. The game room has 2 arcade cabinets to pay for, a pool table, and over a dozen board games to play. There's a lot of seating for eating and it was always pretty empty. The kitchen is well-stocked with tableware and you could definitely cook a full meal with easy. The continental breakfast is extremely bare-bones: oatmeal, bagels, and cereal.

Initially I'm always a bit cautious about staying at hostels but this one was really nice. Good staff that was very friendly and helpful. It was very vibey and spatious and clean. We were provided with bedding and towels. The rooms were large and there was a ton of bathrooms. The beds were pretty comfortable. Was happily surprised by the amenities - a game room and a movie room and a really large kitchen. Also a perk that they had free breakfast. Only complaint is that they don't have a heater on in the hallways so it's freezing. Also it's not very soundproof so it's very loud being so close to the gas lamp quarter.

It was a clean hostel, but I leave a 1 star review because of customer service.I wasn't going to post this, but felt obligated to in case it helps any women out there from being put in a uncomfortable/unsafe situation. I reserved a bed in a 8 person dorm all female.FYI Hi Hostel when women choose all female dorms 9out of 10 times it's because they don't feel safe falling asleep around men.Anyway lo and behold I show up and there is a transgender person staying in the all female dorm.I have nothing against the transgender community at all, but I do feel that I as a paying customer I should be given the basic curtsey of being told there is someone who is transgender in the room in case it's not something I feel comfortable with, so that I can take my business else where( I booked via a 3rd party so it was non refundable).This is something that should be posted on their website, said at check in and with the 3rd parties they work with.I am not saying by any means that transgender people are not to be trusted or bad people or whatever, what I'm saying is there are bad human beings in the world emphasis on human beings NOT trans people that can easily take advantage of this loophole of being put in a room full women while they sleep. Saying that someone who was born a man and now chooses to be a women to say that they are no longer a man falls under a belief. Most business's don't generally force their beliefs upon paying customers not the case here.I made sure to be as polite as possible about the whole thing.I was not rude to the person in the room at all I quietly went about my way again making sure to be polite as possible I did not want to offend "Her"or hurt their feelings. When I went to have my room changed the manager was pretty rude about it although he did try to be polite , there was a boiling animosity directed towards me to where I could tell he was ready to get into a yelling match at any given point.He gave me sarcastic remarks such as"well if you don't feel safe then we generally suggest booking a private room".Just because I have a difference of opinion does not make me a"karen". That seems to be the new cop out, force your beliefs onto someone if they don't agree call them a karen and treat them like their part of the goddamn KKK right?The ironic thing is they have signs posted all up and down the hostel about how their so tolerant and accept all forms of life, please be respectful of others that have a difference of opinion etc etc.They forgot to leave out the part where it only applies to those that have the same beliefs as them. Had I booked a coed room it would be a different situation, but the issue is that I booked all female dorm.That is when you should let your customers know.I had to pay an extra $30 to switch rooms since my room was non refundable.They will gladly take your money while looking down their nose at you like your a piece of trash, all the while preaching tolerance. Hi hostel I understand this is a complex situation, but please use your critical thinking skills to see that their are people out their that can take advantage of this loophole so it's a basic curtesy to let your customers know the situation they are walking into in case it's something they don't feel comfortable with.Also that just because someone is born a female does not make them any less than a transgender person.If you feel so strongly about things please be transparent about the situation so that people are not put in uncomfortable situations were they are demonized for having a difference of opinion.Outside of this it was a decent stay.

You won't believe what happened. This place completely ignored my reservation, even though I called to confirm, had a bed assigned, and called again before arrival, they sold my bed to someone else. It was approx 11pm, delayed travel so I called and they tell me they don't have a reservation. The girl on the phone was so disrespectful and even hung up the phone on me. I have never had an experience like this at a HI property and this is unacceptable. Yeah you see the stars but it could be you in spite of the high reviews. Stranded and stuck because some idiot prob gave my bed to a friend.

I was very surprised by the cleanliness, staff, and amenities. I stayed for one night in a shared room. We had a shared bathroom, bunk bed and locker. For such a low price I was surprised it would have so much. The place was much larger than expected. It has 3 floors with a game room, computer room, TV room and free books to read. Many people stayed in the hostel last night however it was still quiet. The outside was pretty noisy but they did provide ear plugs. In the morning I was treated to a free breakfast. They had oatmeal, bananas, coffee, tea, juice , and Coffee. Everything was fresh and great tasting. Such a friendly and clean place. I would not hesitate to stay there again.

No complaints for this hostel. It was super clean, friendly staff, and accessible to the downtown area. They are super good at having events for visitors and providing spots to check out!

Don't care for much space? Enjoy art? Love colors? Are bagels part of your morning routine? If you answered to all these questions then this Hostel is the right place for you! Very hipster. Honestly I wouldn't stay at a place like like this but after the exceptional service we were provided by all of the staff I cant help but consider it for my next San Diego trip. Right off 5th and Market Steet kinda hidden so do not forget to turn on you eagle eyes! There is NO parking lot or parking structure that goes straight into the building that I know of. The street is very busy and the front 8 minute loading zone is almost always full. Remember this is in the vent of San Diego Thank you Monica and Judy and Michael!

I didn't have a great experience at this hostel last year but decided I'll try again this year. It's 2024 and they still print off these little receipt papers with a number on it and tell you to show it every time you walk in even though they know who I am and that I'm staying there. I've never had trouble at any of the other countless hostels that I've visited. This is the only hostel that has consistently treated me like a trouble maker even though I'm not doing anything to anybody. The crowd that comes and stays at this hostel including some of the staff is very dark and depressing so it's not the place to meet people. And I thought about staying a few more nights but I waited to see if I was going to be harassed by the staff again to book for more nights. I decided to just avoid the front desk as much as I could because I'm a smoker and just use the back entrance. While I'm on the phone with my mom a staff member threatened to kick me out if I keep opening the back door. The sign on the back door says you will be kicked out if you let or sneak anyone into the hostels so I don't understand what I did wrong by using the back door. It was so embarrassing and I really wish I could have my money back but based on the culture at this place I'm sure management doesn't care about my complaint. Won't ever come back again.

Probably more like a 3.5 star but I'll round up. Paid $370 for a Thursday and Friday night in early September. My boyfriend and I stayed in a private room with its own bathroom. It's your typical hostel setup, the bare minimum in the rooms with majority of the amenities shared (tv room, kitchen/dining room), in an older building. The location is right smack in the middle of Gaslamp and only a 5 minute walk to Petco park. Warning!!! If you're a light sleeper, be prepared to the hear the nightlife around you until 2am. Luckily they provide earplugs. $20-25 overnight parking at "Park it on Market" which is a garage across the street on the next block. Free breakfast and coffee were available from 7:30-9:30. I'd rate it down 1.5 stars because there were small hairs in the shower, rough/small towels, and my boyfriend had to clean the filters of the window AC that was provided in order for it work better.

I stayed here during 4th or July weekend and I absolutely loved my stay here! Pros: -it's CHEAP! -They have professional staff that clean EVERYDAY. -The kitchen is spacious and they have a huge fridge (even a section of free food that is up for grabs!) it has a really cool set up with wall art all around and small sections perfect for reading, playing, or watching movies. -the location is GREAT!!! If you're wanting to be where it's all at in terms of bars, clubs, and restaurants, then you got your spot. It's all walking distance from the happenings in gaslamp quarter. Since I went out every night, by the time I got to my room and showered, I didn't feel it was so loud outside so I was able to sleep pretty well (but I also stayed in a double twin so I didn't have to deal with a lot of roommates). Cons: -PARKING SUCKS!! They don't have their own parking lot so you have to park on the street (hourly parking which is almost impossible to find) or pay expensive prices at a parking garage. They have residential parking about 10 blocks down which is free and no limits but then you have about a 15-20 min walk back -Not allowed to meal prep in kitchen and no food amenities during COVID. During my stay, I couldn't cook which messed up my plans a bit since I planned on doing that at least once/day. If you don't really care about parking and plan to stay in gaslamp or at least don't mind to drive out to other places, then this may be your spot. Ive stayed in other hostels and this is by far the cleanest, nicest, well-maintained hostel I've seen with the greatest amenities. I'm definitely coming back!

Lobby opened 24/7 free coffee, no free breakfast ,towel use free, paid 160$ with tax four nights, will beat online prices

The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The location is very close to the Convention Center and near tons of restaurants and clubs. The prices for rooms are reasonable. Recommend !!

First time in SanDiego and this Hostel sit in the heart of downtown perfect location Beds you have to make but it's cool Lots Bathrooms all over the building fabulous tv and Game room Staff was so kind to me they check my bags in early and stay until my flight was ready WiFi very fast Reason why I don't give it 5. Stars Breakfast starts a 8am and housekeeping put out old food and rotten fruits

This place is clean and the staff is friendly, but it's apprx 40% more expensive than the nearby hostels (and I mean hostels within 2 blocks of this place) and for this dramatic increase they offer: A hair dryer in every bathroom Handicap accessible bathrooms (all of the showers have seats) A street fighter arcade game House cleaning staff that comes to your room 3 times every morning/afternoon. (I found this irritating, especially in a mostly empty hostel) In summation it's not a bad place to stay there are just many similar options for about $100 less. A four bedroom stay at nearby hostels is somewhere around $220-$250 (4 room dorm), here it's $320 plus an extra $18 fee.

I had a wonderful stay at HI San Diego. The staff was helpful and courteous. The rooms though basic were clean and tidy. I stayed in the female 4 person dorm even though I was the only guest in the room. Would recommend.

I've stayed at hostels in Australia before with the same company and only good things to say = my go to, anywhere I go now. It's clean. Safe. Simple. Affordable. And always a good vibe. They know what they're doing. I stayed in a 10 person female dorm which was still spacious and comfortable. The room had its own bathroom and shower which I thought was a major plus that I wasn't expecting! Convenient AF. Being clean and safe is # 1 for me. They always gave me a towel for free which was nice bc u did forget to bring one and other ones I've been to does charge you a few bucks. Hey, that's a few bucks I saved that can go towards a drink visiting a new city!!

As a life member of Hostelling International, I can confidently say this is the best downtown HI location in the United States. Nothing else comes close. While it may only have a fifth of the rooms of larger hostels like in Chicago, NYC, or D.C., this location is absolute tops for a number of reasons. Other pros: 1. It is so aesthetically pleasing inside. The walls are covered with gorgeous art and murals, and the color is just inspiring. 2. The dining room and breakfast area are spacious and great and include not only tables, but couches, and even old-school arcade machines. The free breakfast is minimal, but you can take as much as you want. It includes bagels, cream cheese, peanut butter (including a nut-free option), coffee, juice, oatmeal, tea, and fruit. 3. Every hall has couches, chairs, and bean bags for people to just chill (and there is also a movie room). 4. I stayed in an eight-bed co-ed room. Each bed comes with sheets and a really bright comforter, which is comfy, but also adds to the overall "rangichangi" feel (Nepali - "colorful"). However, the best part about the room is that it has its own bathroom and shower area. 5. The hostel is only two blocks from Petco Park, half a mile from a 24-hour grocery store (Ralph's), and a mile from the Amtrak train/bus station. 6. The staff are warm and friendly and are full of great suggestions.

It's been so long since I've stayed in a hostel, and this made it easy to reacclimatize to hostel living. Very clean, very friendly staff, and excellent location in the center of Gaslamp. Only drawback is that parking is not provided, but Parkit on Market is right across. Advise anyone to park their car their early and be prepared to pay around $20 for the night, sometimes a little more and sometimes a little less. However, the hostel itself is a great option if you want to budget travel in a lively part of town. Spend that extra money at the restaurants, bars, clubs, and getting around San Diego. Thank you HI San Diego Downtown for an excellent stay!

Wow!!!! I've stayed in my share of hostels around the globe and this one is one of my favorites! Super clean place in the middle of Gaslamp District. Decor is modern with some traditional San Diego flair. They have a well kept kitchen, game room and movie room. Super secure and staff was very helpful and friendly. Next time you travel to SD skip the over priced hotels and give this place a chance! Love, peace and chicken grease.

Do not stay here if you plan on sleeping! It's a beautiful hostel with a comfortable bed but in the middle of the Gaslamp District. Super loud, till 3am at the least. My bed was next to the window which was by a street light, so to make matters worse, I couldn't sleep further. Every person in the room was awake, tossing and turning. Also, the stale bagel and the "do your dishes on the honor system" for breakfast was an added insult!

Absolutely tremendous in every way! When you're looking for a place to stay when visiting a new/different city, it's really not as simple as just picking a hotel or motel and booking it. You have to decide what you want out of the place you're visiting before booking. HI San Diego provides wonderful sleeping quarters with fun and interesting details throughout, but that's not what makes it incredible. Cute little nooks throughout the building, seating areas on every floor and around every corner, mid-century modern design aspects mixed with industrial accents, and an atmosphere that encourages meeting people from all different walks of life... The ability to enter as one person and leave as another: THOSE are the things that make this place incredible. The location is also absolutely AMAZING as well; overwhelming, but amazing. You are walking distance from so many fabulous bars and restaurants and the diversity of the Gaslamp District just lends itself to whatever you desire. Stay here. Love it. Experience cultures from all over the world, and enjoy your surroundings. FABULOUS.

I have always been wary of staying in a hostel because of urban legends about their cleanliness and safety, probably not helped because of the horror movie, Hostel, from a few years back. But last weekend during Memorial Day I did a mini-tour of some San Diego hostels and was surprised how nice Hostelling International was when I stayed over night on Friday. I would definitely recommend it for individuals who want to save half off room and board, versus when you're traveling with someone and it's better to just split a proper hotel room. Here's the lowdown: Rules: --18 and over. No age requirements otherwise; in fact there was a woman who was probably in her early 40s in our room although most are people 18-30. --No curfew, so you can stay out late (and note that people sharing your room may as well), but quiet hours start at 11PM and it really does get quiet as people stop partying or hanging out in the common areas --You must live at least 45 miles from San Diego County. Hostel does not allow local residents. Must show proof of your address. --If you are not a member of Hostelling International you are charged a $3 fee on top of your rate --If you need to cancel, you must do so by 6PM the night before if you don't want to be charged. If you booked during Comic-Con then there is a whole different policy requiring weeks' notice. --Check-out at 11AM. You have to have all your stuff out of the room and then check out, unlike hotels where you can check out and then take your time to actually physically leave. You will be charged if you stay past 11AM versus hotels which give you some leniency. Pros: --Location: Right on Market Street across from Side Bar and Bang Bang. I was able to walk across the street to get a pizza slice from Ciro's and then it was only about two blocks to Omnia. --Security: building seems extra secure over the other hostel I stayed in San Diego that weekend. You need to swipe your electronic keycard on the main lobby door, then there is a staff member 24 hours there to check your ID and papers to confirm you are a guest. You are not allowed to bring outside guests. From there, you have to swipe your card again to get into your actual assigned room. --Activities: staying at a hostel isn't just about getting a bed to sleep; they have a few organized activities like free city tours and get togethers. Great way to meet people and be oriented with the city. For this reason I might do this hostel in another city since they have locations everywhere. --International crowd: people who stay are usually young travelers from around the world. Ever been on a Contiki tour? It's kind of like that. --Women-only, male-only, or mixed rooms. Definitely recommend getting a female only room if you're female. --Quiet: We had a room facing a back alley, NOT Market Street, so I was surprised how quiet it was when it was time for bed. --Facilities: modern and hiply decorated; game room and common kitchen with shared refrigerator (labels provided for your food) --Bathrooms: there were single ones where you could lock them completely and also shared ones. Very clean and upgraded bathrooms that were as good as a 3-star hotel. --HUGE lockers in the bedrooms, 1 for each bed, so plenty of room to store and lock your stuff securely. Bring your own lock or buy one at the front desk for $4. --Free breakfast from 8-10AM! Also I think they do free dinner as well here. Cons: --Beds: there were three bunk beds for a total of six beds in our room. They were comfortable enough but the spring mattresses were not great as you would sink in a bit too much. Still, this wouldn't deter me from this place but it's worth noting. --You have to make your own bed, which is hard on a top bunk. But that's hostel life... --You will probably end up with a top bunk unless you get there early upon check-in (3PM) and provided someone isn't there already on a multi-day trip. But that's hostel life... --It's a shared environment, so you will have to expect that people may come and go in/out of your room when you're trying to sleep, but if you didn't mind this you wouldn't even be staying at a hostel. Bring ear plugs and an eye mask for sure! --Hostels are known for bedbugs, but I didn't see any when I was there. The bed posts did have BB circle traps as a precaution, but the traps looked dusty and needed refreshing with new silica/DE powder (a natural pesticide that is safe for humans to eat but dries out bugs). Still I would not let this deter you, but when you get home I advise you wash your clothes in hot water and hot dryer just in case. --Not as cheap as you would think ($47 for me), although you're still saving compared to getting an entire hotel or motel room yourself where it's more like $90-100 a night.

I stayed here for a weekend getaway with my boyfriend and we loved it! It's right in the middle of EVERYTHING so it was super easy to get around. However, we arrived on a Friday night and couldn't find parking ANYWHERE. The garage they suggested was closed for the night so we managed to find another lot that was ridiculously expensive for the night and then moved the car in the morning. My suggestion, definitely take the train or Uber...DO NOT DRIVE. But this place was super friendly (the person who checked us in offered suggestions on where to go), clean, and welcoming. We got one of the private rooms and it was perfect! We had our own restroom, small desk, and mini fridge. It was extremely noisy at night, but they provided earplugs automatically. They checked our security passes every time we came in so it felt safe and they provide bagels, oatmeal, coffee, and tea every morning in the kitchen common area, where there were also cubbies for guests to use as a pantry and a large fridge for guest use. The common areas are lovely and spacious! There's lots of space to lounge, read a book (they have some book shelves on the 2nd floor), and there's plenty of local art to look at. Everyone we met who was staying there was very friendly too, so it would have been easy to jump in on a group outing if we wanted to. I will definitely stay here again when I'm looking for that nightlife in San Diego!

I have stayed at 20+ hostels and this is definitely a nice one. In summary, these are the highlights and the lowlights: Pros: - Fantastic location, close to everything downtown - Staff were very easy going and accommodating, it's rare to find a place that will let you check in before noon, and they let me get in early - Elevator (small one) between floors - Very spacious, nice layout of the building - Mattresses will not leave you with scoliosis or a broken back in the morning, they're decent Cons: - Very loud outside and until late into the night (1-2am), the windows must be closed to sleep, and I wonder if they have A/C in the summers to avoid the noise and impending heat death (also, BRING EARPLUGS) - Sunday nights are a some sort of R&B/hip-hop club night which is fine except for two reasons 1) it's on a Sunday and some business/working travelers have work in the morning 2) it's currently 10:15 pm and still going... - Bed sheets are the "build yourself" kind which means no matter how much elbow grease you use, you're waking up on a bare mattress in the morning - The hostel in general should cater the ambiance to be more respectful of business/working people, especially because there's a giant Convention Center just a few blocks away and quite a few people will stay here from that, it's not just all young and broke world travelers

This was our first stay in an International Hostel, we where very excited, since we where meeting family to go see the Padres. Maggie in the front desk was very helpful and helped us with suggestions where to park over night . we had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Michael the Facilities Manager. The staff was very nice!! And accommodating. Breakfast was good. Place was Safe. @@@@@@------------@@@@@@------------ With that said, there are definitely a few things that DO Need Improving. The Sheets where very smelly and the rooms where not very clean unfortunately, there was dust everywhere and the other roommates had there personal dirty undergarments hanging all over the room . The room had no window to open and the room quickly was hot and smelly with 6 people in it, I do understand that personal hygiene is something that you can not control, but having air properly ventilating through the units with a window allowing fresh air would help. And I noticed behind the bunk beds there was an inch thick of dirt and dust And trash. The front lobby area and elevators needs to be cleaned with a little more attention to the common areas as well .

Giving a shout out to Maury (sp?) who saved my break this weekend in San Diego! I just got off the phone with her (7/15/17 approximately 12:00am) I was scheduled to arrive on Thursday July 20 and leave July 24, but the studio changed my arrival/departure date to Friday leaving Sunday. I was really stressed since this was my first vacation in a long time, and its Comic-con weekend and space is tight. I asked if it was possible to change the dates and she made it possible! I can't stress how relieved I am. I stay at the facility last year and it was beyond relaxing, very stress free. Thank you again Maury, I was so stressed, I forgot to ask her the correct spelling of her name She rocks! Said

Affordable communal housing in downtown San Diego accessible to most public transportation. Good location to buy grocery at Ralph's, friendly staff members to ask questions, excellent resources and group activities in the summer. Private twin beds are also available at around $60/night. Hosteling International lives up to its mission of serving affordable housing to all travelers. Many European travelers go through here. The age is towards the young end. Most of them looking for a good time, some seeking the nightlife. No drinking, smoking in the hotel. Quiet hours after 11pm. Very clean in all 3 floors. Nice linen. Good area to read. The internet here is spotty. Free for laptops but charge for computer usage.

Stayed here a night & it was great, the front desk ppl are very nice & helpful. You would think I would give this place 5 stars for that but until the next morning when we went to get the continental breakfast we had a problem with the kitchen cleaning lady. My boyfriend & I had just finished heating up our food & there were no tables open to sit & eat so we stayed eating on the table where you prepare food meanwhile & the kitchen lady told us we were gross & to go find a seat & raised her voice at us just so she can make a big scene about it in front of everybody. It was very rude of her & unnecessary. Really ruined our morning.

Looks good so far but this lady at the check in has problems. She's like Hella paranoid about security and stuff and where you're coming from. I honestly felt like she was discriminating against me for having tattoos and the way I look. Didn't appreciate the way she treated me. A person of color and a veteran that struggled through a lot. The other employees were nice though. Never had this problem at any other hostel. The place looks clean enough.

Reviewing this hostel in terms of other hostels, it has a spectacular location in the heart of the gaslamp district. I'm not talking about walking 4 blocks like most of the other hostels...it's right in the middle of it. On 5th street, walk south for great shopping and eating, and north has most gaslamp nightlife w/ tons of bars and nightclubs. The hostel is safe for the most part. They ask you to show your room receipt as soon as you enter the hostel if you're coming in from a late night of partying. That keeps outside creeps from coming in, but that doesn't keep the wierd ones away who are staying in the hostel. There is NO age limit on this hostel: there was a 70-something roommate I had from England, who was charming. However, there was one seedy (jobless) guy who had the angle of cornering the single females in the hostel and trying to teach them "self-defense" moves. I warned the hostel about that guy and they said he only had three more days there. Basically, if you're travelling alone and a female like myself, just be careful, no matter where you are. Aside from that, the hostel was awesome. Perfect price, clean bathrooms (and I never had to wait for a shower in the morning), helpful maps and brochures to attractions, and transportation directions whether you were driving or taking the bus, to many locations such as the Zoo, La Jolla, Sea World, or the football stadium. They stock one and two-day passes that are good on all buses and trolleys. Other Highlights * Free breakfast from 8am to 10am, * Daily group activities, such as pub crawls and walking tours of Balboa Park and Tijuana * Internet is $4 an hour, or $1 for 15 minutes * Free wireless internet * Laundry room * Personal storage lockers, big enough for a carry-on luggage and a couple shopping bags If you are willing to pay for a better breakfast, you must go to The Cheese Shop, on 4th and Market. This is a San Diego institution and the food is delicious!

Another GREAT hosteling experience. As usual: friendly staff, quaint-and-cool building, great kitchen. Sure, the building is pretty worn in spots, but what do I care if the doorframe has 20 chipped coats of paint? I don't. The sheets are clean and soft. The bed is comfy. And the location is *ridiculously* good. And whoever did the interior decorating for the common spaces? Genius. Please note: you will need an eye shade and earplugs here. This area is like Bourbon Street in New Orleans. If you take Unisom or Ambien, bring that along, too, just in case. When I stay at a place this great, it baffles me that everyone doesn't use hostels. They are GREAT!! The free breakfast was ample, too. Cereal, breads, schmears, coffee and fruit.

HI San Diego was by far the best hostel I've stayed with! Maggie and the crew were awesome and accommodated me whenever necessary. They were very informative about events, local attractions, tours, and discounts. The ambiance is chill, nice tv lounge, laundry room, awesome kitchen, and I enjoyed walking the hallways to see the artwork. The kitchen was neat and organized, and seemed to be the focal point of the hostel. Free breakfast is offered from 8-10 am everyday. I was extremely excited to see some old school arcade games, but the game room was under renovation; which broke my nerd heart. I highly recommend staying here if traveling in town or in transition to finding an apartment. I met some awesome people here and look forward to staying with you guys in my future travels! Best of luck!

I've stayed in a lot of hostels around the world and this is one of the ones i would put on the bad end of the scale. Too expensive and a bad value. I made a reservation for a private room for myself and husband. Was told the private with double beds would be 72 and 77 with tax and a private with a queen bed for 99 and tax. I said I'd got with the 77 rate. Upon arrive I was told the total was 99.00. I almost passed out. I decided against a hotel because the private was 77 and I saw the lowest hotel was 99. Then I find out the room doesn't even have a toilet. 99 for a room with twin beds and no toilet??? Good God... She then said something about 89.. I noticed other reviewers being mislead by the price as well. Her explanation was that rates fluctuate. I said, within four hours?? I could have handled 89 if there was a bathroom and the place had some sort of ambience. The dorms are $30 per person. That's a bit expensive but I guess ok for the location. The location is great but after the high price and the tiny room I was very stressed. The staff were ok. The building was very old and not too clean. There weren't enough showers and if you wanted to go to the bathroom between 8-10 good luck finding a bathroom since people were showering. I saw one bathroom for girls (without showers) but it was out of order. The breakfast was pretty good but I noticed the woman packing it up at 9:45. If the room was $50 I would have been ok, but 89??!! Good lord, not ok. I wanted to stay in another hostel but all were booked, this was the only one with openings. I won't be back.

I stayed here on August 12. I liked my private room with bath a comfortable bed too. It includes breakfast but all you get is fruit, bagels and oatmeal.You can get coffee , tea, and juice all day. They have a myriad of recreational opportunities a pool table arcade games many tours and mixers. They have a communal food preparation area. One drawback no alcohol is allowed nor any outside guests.But the location is great and the price is reasonable. A good option for budget mined travelers. Definitely will stay again!

If I could give this place zero I would! It's AWFUL. Yes the staff are friendly at reception, but that's it. The rooms are boiling, it's impossible to sleep in the heat. They have the windows open and a fan because of the fact they have NO air conditioning. Right in the middle of the gas lamp district which means: LOUD; music, people, drumming, music, cars, engines being revved ... I could go on and on. Feel like you are stuck in the middle of a club. COULD NOT sleep, you can't close the windows because then the heat is even worse! STAY AWAY from this place if you can!

2.5 stars. I knew what I was getting into by staying in the Gaslamp Quarter (noise, and lots of it!) but I still decided to stay here. I have stayed in HI hostels before, but this is the first time I've stayed in one in the US. When I first checked in, I found salt or sand all over my bed. The locker that went along with the bed was also being used by someone. The person at the front desk handled that quickly enough, she even offered a quieter room for me (but warned that it was "stuffy" since it only had one window). I chose the same room I was first checked into, but a different bed - top bunk, right beneath the ceiling fan! The kitchen is well equipped and always clean whenever I went into it. They provide free filtered water and coffee/tea. There is free breakfast in the morning, but I didn't wake up earlier enough for that. Wifi is spotty as some reviewers have mentioned, especially on the third floor. There are some computers available for use near the kitchen/dining room, but you have to pay for internet usage. The people who work there know the area well, definitely ask them for recommendations. However, when I asked about the SoCAL Music Festival that was happening the day I was staying there (and it was pretty much down the street), they had not a clue.

Not the cleanest or nicest hostel I've stayed in, but you can't really beat the price or the location. They also have single rooms and free make your own pancake breakfast, which was in itself an adventure. Every morning like clockwork, someone would burn a pancake and set the fire alarm off in the whole building a few times, rather terrible way to wake up if you ask me. Otherwise I appreciated the complimentary food, decent sized kitchen, and safe atmosphere of the place.

This was the best hosteling experience I have ever had. Everything was super clean and pretty (great furniture!) and staff was extremely helpful and open. The kitchen is super big and equipped with all the stuff you need to make a great meal. I met some pretty cool people there. Together, we cooked meals and hung out in the common rooms. There is a TV room and an awesome room with a pool table, boardgames and old arcade games. The location is great - right in the heart of the city with bars and restaurants around. You really can't go wrong here!

Great place for the price. I felt safe and comfortable during my stay. Amenities provided are great and the vibe of folks all around is friendly. Highly recommend for all.

I was a little nervous about staying at a hostel but the rates were so good that I wanted to try it out. I've stayed in hostels before but it was about 20 years ago. This place is so nice! As I walked in I was greeted with a smile. Check in was easy. When I got to the third floor and started walking to my room I fell in love with the ambiance. The local art on the walls was a great touch and I loved the midcentury modern furniture. I glanced up and saw an open air ceiling. So cool!! My room was very clean. I stayed in a 4 person female bunk. I was the last person to come to the room but I hardly saw my roommates throughout the whole trip. (I was there for a fitness conference and I wasn't in the room during the day much at all.) My room had a portable air conditioner and I appreciated that! Keeping the curtains closed during the day helped keep it cool also. The room was extremely clean and my roommates were tidy. The bed was comfortable. The only downside was the lack of outlets. It wasn't an issue on my trip, but if everyone charged their devices at once it would be a problem. The biggest issue with the room is that at night it is LOUD. The bars on the street bumped until 3am. Make sure that you pick up the free earplugs at the front desk. They helped a ton!! Many of the restrooms on the third floor were a little older so they didn't look quite as clean as the one I found on the second floor. A little exploring helped! The kitchen was awesome!! I loved having access to it and no one bothered my bag of food in the fridge. It saved me a ton of money just to prep 1-2 meals in there a day. I also liked that the coffee machines were going 24/7. The security of the hostel is high. No one gets in unless they are staying there or work there. I absolutely felt safe traveling alone there. I would totally stay here again. The location was perfect, close to everything that I needed. Also, I met a pedicab driver who took me around to some of the coolest places. "Tours by Tony" Look for him if you're there. All of the locals seem to know him.

Visiting San Diego for an extended amount of time and needed to crash some place for two days before goin' on my journey, brah. I have never stayed in a hostel before, but I made the decision to come to San Diego 2 days before I actually left NYC so ALL hotel rooms were going for $440 and AirBnBs were 90% filled. My flight to San Diego was delayed A LOT - so I got the city at 4AM. Thankfully, the front desk is 24HRs and someone left a note with the front desk that I'd be arriving super late. Aw thanks! I was given a card, went to the 3rd floor with my hostel mates all asleep and passed out on the top bunk. The decor is SUPER cool. There is so much art all around you, bright colors and gives you a very vibrant and friendly vibe. There is a kitchen, some free food you can cook yourself and a game room that becomes lively at night. I planned to never be at the actual hostel during the day so I cannot speak to what happens there during the day. I don't imagine a lot. Here's what you should know: - like other reviews, you're in the Gaslamp district so it's going to be loud. If you don't like to stay up late or enjoy parties much you shouldn't stay here on the weekends. - ACs are non existent. My room had one that was half working and it does get a bit hot. I slept in my underwear (female 4 bed dorm) so idgaf. - Sheets are placed on your bed so you have to make your own bed. I threw the sheet on top of the bed and called it a night. I don't need much. - Location is perfect for downtown. If I came with friends, we would stay here. In retrospect, since I came alone to San Diego I should have booked a hostel closer to the beach. - Cannabis delivers here. They had promo codes and cards at the front desk. Got my Jack Herer on. You cannot smoke in your room or in public, the hostel does not allow drugs inside the hostel or alcohol either. I just bagged for later :) - Lots of international people stay here! I love traveling and meeting other people so this was great! - 1 locker in your room big enough to hold a regular size backpack and MORE. You have to bring your own lock though! - Luggage can be stored downstairs at the front desk, so bring your jammies upstairs! - 2 nights in a female 4 bed dorm was a $115 total. One hunna! I'd stay here again for sure. If you are no frills person and don't give a fuck about sharing a room or a bathroom with people you should definitely stay here. It was a GREAT and CLEAN experience.

This was my very first time staying in a Hostel. I am so happy that I stayed here. The place is beautiful, clean. The staff are very nice and Im excited about coming back OFTEN in the future. I LOVED IT. The free breakfast was great, the bathrooms were always clean. The hostel is enriched with art and decorations that make you feel right at home. Its in the heart of the Gas Lamp quarter which makes it so convienient.The world needs more places like this. I loved my 4 days. Ill be visiting San Diego more because of the great stay at this establishment.

Last September, I decided to take my boyfriend to watch the Dodgers v. Padres game for his birthday and was looking for a place to stay in the Gaslamp district, not far from Petco Park. I hopped onto yelp, found this place and booked a room for the next weekend. A week or so later, we made the drive down from LA and found out that they weren't exaggerating when they said they were located in the heart of the Gaslamp district! This place was such a short walk from restaurants, bars and the stadium. It was awesome! The only slight downside was parking. You have to park across the street in a structure which was $15 per day... which was fine by me, since we were only going to be there for one night. When we arrived, the people at the front desk were so sweet, they even upgraded us to a better room! I was really happy with the overall cleanliness, cozy set up of the room, and the nice view of the street outside. This hostel had a really casual atmosphere with its lounge chairs and common rooms. Its kitchen was pretty cool too, but I think my boyfriend and I were a little late for breakfast because by the time we had gotten there all the good stuff had already been eaten. Long story short, if you're college kids or seasoned travelers, not terribly high-maintenance and are in town and looking for an affordable place to stay for a few nights I'd highly recommend this one.

Nice and clean area but gets really loud on the weekend if you're trying to sleep! Friendly and helpful staff

I wanted to enjoy my stay here but it was hard to do with the loud, heavy bass music blasting from the restaurant below all night. I'm used to sleeping with noise, and expected a fair amount of it given the central location of this hostel in the heart of downtown, but this was excessive. My first night there, I tried taking a nap but could not go to sleep because of the music, which was pretty invasive in my room. I even tried ear plugs, but could still hear the bass from the music. Finally I went down to the desk to ask for a possibly quieter room, only to be told that the room I was in was supposed to be one of the "quieter" rooms in the building. The worker at the desk was very nice and came up to see where the source of the music was. He said it was from a nearby restaurant and that they would tell them to turn the music down, as apparently this is a reoccurring problem. Unfortunately, the music never got lower. It was the same thing again the next night (Sunday) which prevented me from sleeping until the music stopped at around 2am or so. I had to be up for a flight at 4am. Would also like to add that there were lots of rules here, and it didn't have that friendly hostel vibe I've experienced in other hostels at all. I don't think I'll be staying here again.

Awesome spot in an awesome neighborhood. Right in the heart of San Diego with short walks to Little Italy, Gaslamp Quarter, and Seaport Village. On street parking is hard to find but there are several paid lots nearby and a parking garage on the corner adjacent to the hostel. CVS is nearby in case you forgot or lost something in your travels. TIP: Consider local events if you'll need a place to park. Lots and garages fill up quickly in this area on Friday and Saturday nights, and any time a big event is in town (KISS was performing during my visit). Friendly staff and LOTS of activities. You can find something to do every day of the week. Hostel is friendly for any age traveler. I shared a room with 4 other travelers, from 21 to 66. Plenty of bathrooms available but the early bird gets the worm. Lots of hot water to go around, just be mindful of wasting water - CA is going through a drought. TIP: Hostel offers discounted tickets to popular local attractions. Highlights include modern decor, an activity room, and spacious kitchen. TIP: Small parking area directly in front of the hostel to check in and unload (15 minute loading). Hostel has an elevator.

Best deal in the area. Been going here for 5 or so years. Great location, good deal, and wonderful staff. Recommend this place while in San Diego