Monterey Hostel

What a find! I had planned to find a nice hotel, traveling alone with my two young grandsons for spring break. Reading reviews and noting pricing of local hotels, few located near the main downtown area and Aquarium (our main focus), I was not excited. The Monterey Hostel had great reviews, and I decided to take a chance. Of note: I haven't stayed in a hostel in decades, and my friends and family were sure this would be an epic fail. Wrong! I reserved a room with a queen bed, bunk beds for the boys and a private bath. Check in was welcoming and friendly. The Hostel is immaculate, modern, and has a wonderful atmosphere––-with travelers from all over, and lots of activity. The young woman at the front desk offered to help me with my bag (no elevator) without my asking, and we found all of the staff incredibly friendly and helpful. Quiet hours start at 10pm and we had no problems with noise or privacy. Our beds were very comfy and the environmental showers and faucets were easy to use and a great conversation starter for me and boys, around conservation. The walk to town is a short and scenic 2 long blocks (really 3), and $10 weekend parking felt secure and was really easy. I cannot recommend the Monterey Hostel more; we loved staying here.

We had a great time staying at the Monterey Hostel! We stayed in one of the private suites, which was very spacious, clean, and cozy. The staff and other guests were very friendly and respectful. The location was great, as we were able to walk to many places in town, including the coast/water. I would definitely stay here again and recommend it to others :)

loved this place! Highly recommend it... if. you have never stayed in a hostel before, try this one! We had a family room so had privacy and our own bathroom, then cooked in the kitchen- it was never awkward sharing space with people. They have very strict quiet time from 10pm to 6am which was amazing. Everyone was friendly and it was such a great atmosphere, even with our children with us. Also, it is 2 blocks from the aquarium and bike/walking trails which go up/down the coast all the way to Seaside. We paid $10/day for parking which was great as well, and they stored out biked during the day. It truly was a WONDERFUL stay!! :)

As a family of four, we truly enjoyed our stay at the Monterey Hostel! It was a refreshing alternative to expensive hotels or budget motels. What stood out most was the cleanliness, thoughtful amenities, and private rooms with private bathrooms, making it incredibly comfortable for our family. Ryan and the Hostel staff were fantastic—attentive, friendly, and made check in and out so easy. One of the biggest highlights was the location—just a few blocks from Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row, putting us right in the heart of all the attractions. Also, Gianni's pizza and Starbucks is only a 2 min walk from the Hostel! Bonus tip: There is free street parking, no meters on the front side of the Hostel, which is a huge plus! Overall, we had a fantastic experience staying in a clean, comfortable, and affordable place with a great atmosphere. Our two young boys (both under five) loved it, and it’s definitely a family-friendly spot. We will absolutely be returning!

Truly a 5 star experience. I stayed here as a solo women traveler and never felt more at home! I left feeling truly obsessed with the Monterey Hostel. Located in a central neighborhood that is close to the water, restaurants and tons of activities! The staff were kind, friendly and knowledgeable about the area. All common spaces were welcoming and intentionally adorned with colorful decorations. I loved the warm afternoon light that would trickle through the golden yellow curtains (perfect reading conditions!). I made so many friends while cooking meals in the shared kitchen space. If I could move in, I would! Highly recommend staying here for singles, couples and families!

The Monterey Hostel is well located and I highly recommend it. I appreciated that there was on-site parking available. The main reception area is an open floor plan that includes the sitting and kitchen areas. It has lots of light and looks inviting, clean, and spacious. The kitchen is organized and well equipped. It's easy to navigate where to store your food/snacks. The coffee pot was ready to go first thing in the morning - which pleased my craving for coffee first thing. The sleeping rooms were neat with lots of plugs for phones and tablet outlets. The shared bathroom was well maintained. The staff was friendly and helpful. It's my new "go to" place when I return to Monterey!

This place is pretty great - the location is walkable attractions, it's in a quiet neighborhood, the kitchen is well stocked and organized, the rooms and common areas are frequently cleaned. Easy to get in and out of the hostel and rooms with electronic door codes. Love the decor and artwork. The staff are helpful. The only things I would change is more common area seating and white noise machines in the room. I would recommend and would book again.

This is a really nice hostel that was recently redone, and looks beautiful. All rooms are clean, beds are comfortable. (Dorm rooms are much more economical but private rooms are really nice) Staff is friendly and super helpful. Many downtown attractions are walkable, local buses nearby, supermarket 3 blocks away, so convenient. (Try not to miss local attractions Alta Bakery, Captain & Stoker coffee bar, walking at Lovers Point, and definitely trip to Big Sur.)|Highly recommend 🌟

Very clean, cozy, and welcoming hostel! 10/10! It's nice they have their own parking lot which is $10 from Thursday - Sunday. Outdoor hangout / seating area with a bbq grill! Hostel is very clean and well maintained. Walking distance to many things including the beach. They are dorms and private rooms. The kitchen has lots of cooking tools, fridge and pantry space and a "free" bin of food from past guests. It's nice they have free earplugs, a calendar of free events or nearby events. Large family style table by the tv and an area to casually hangout. Love the environmentally conscious awareness throughout. They had soaps and toiletries if you need it which is nice. The bed was comfortable and other guests very respectful of quiet hours. Bathroom and showers are in each room which is very nice and feels luxurious compared to other hostels. Overall a lovely family friendly hostel, great location, well decorated in plants and beautiful art. Starbucks and other food just walking distance.

We had the best time at the Monterey Hostel. Our family has been visiting Monterey for roughly 30 years and this was our first stay at the Hostel and could not be happier with our experience. We wanted to be close to everything and boy were we. We walked to the aquarium. We could walk to almost every activity we had planned over our time in town. Fantastic place, great for a large group, family, or a solo traveler who's budget minded. The staff was super helpful and the space is bright and cheerful.

This nonprofit hostel just recently reopened this year in March. I paid about $80 for a shared for bed dorm that had a bathroom outside of the suite. Parking is an additional $10 on certain days so check the website to see which days you can park free. This hostel also offers a day pass option for $20 which includes free parking. Overall, besides the snoring roommates and the fact that they don't have single sex dorms, I enjoyed my stay . I had to use the free earplugs, but unfortunately, they didn't work that well. The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable, and overall the place had a good vibe. Bonus points for being walking distance to Starbucks as well as cute antique stores and a grocery store that stays open till 11 PM. This place is also walking distance to a lot of common sites in Monterey as well. Pricey ( but the cheapest accommodation on the area by far ) but I would come back if I needed a place to stay in the area .

Wow, what a hostel. It's nice and new, so now is the time to come. It doesn't have that... "many people have came through and havent' showered smell", because this is so new. I rather give my money to this non-profit hostell then pay for a for-profit hotel somewhere else. Convenient. Nice people all around. I left a toothpaste, some snacks, and pens here - pay-it forward. I have a good job now, and can afford more expensive places, but I still appreciate, the humble hostelling experience. I did book my own room, so I'm not socializing that much. Keep on going, and I'll be back!