Not So Hostel

Stayed here for five nights and really enjoyed it. The shared bath situation is totally fine (guess I was super lucky regarding other guests). Walls are thin so you will definitely hear the construction site next to the hostel such as people chilling and talking on the porch. The host/employees help quickly if you need something - I could not close my door due to a broken lock so they offered me a different room.

This hostel is a beautiful old double-house, in a lovely neighborhood. I was there in the hellish heat of summer, and they work hard to keep the place cool, with a/c and ceiling fans. Walls are thin and you can hear everything, but my pleasant fellow guests were all careful to observe the 10 pm quiet time. They were also scrupulously clean when they cooked in the kitchen (actually 2 kitchens).|The problem? The place is FILTHY. I was there about a week, the place seemed fully booked, and during that time NOBODY swept the stairs/floors even once. The bedspread in my room was full of dust (I woke up every day wheezing) and clearly hadn't been washed in forever.|There are 3 bathrooms for upwards of 25 guests, and even though we were all trying to be neat, that's a lot of traffic! Yet nobody was cleaning the baths either: in the one near the fridge, there were dry leaves on the floor the entire time I was there. There was paper trash on the floor in another bath, which anyone doing even a quick clean would have picked up. The fridge likewise was disgusting--again, it gets a lot of traffic and obviously hadn't been cleaned in eons. |True, someone was coming every day to change sheets and wash towels for departed/new guests ... but that someone definitely did no cleaning during my stay.|If you need a cheap place to stay, try it, but bring your slippers because you DEFINITELY don't want to walk barefoot on those icky floors. And unless you booked a fully private room, know that you'll be sharing the same 3 bathrooms with everyone in the dorms too.

We had a great time with our family of 5 in the "Cozy Cottage" in the rear of the property. It had its own swingset and toys for the kids. The place is in a super cute little neighborhood though it is a little off of the beaten path. Owner was amazing. If you have a family, don't be scared off by the "hostel" vibe. Great porch. Owner was amazing.

Overall very disappointing compared to the many other hostels I've stayed in around and outside of the country. No staff or anyone at all to greet me when I arrived in the afternoon, which felt lonely and unwelcoming. ||I booked two separate nights, and the two separate check-in emails left it unclear as to which bed I was to take on the first night, with no one around to ask. I found a sticky note on my bed frame later the next day scolding me for taking the wrong bed! ||The small amount of cupboard and fridge space was nearly all labeled for staff only, leaving little space for guests to store their food -- again, very unwelcoming. The check-in email mentions oatmeal for breakfast, but there was none anywhere to be seen. No staff person around to make coffee. There was a container of powdered coffee creamer on the counter the first morning and then nothing the second morning. No drawer containing eating utensils -- I only lucked out at each meal by finding a solitary spoon and fork in the dish drainer. Also a dirty plate and fork in the sink that sat there for a whole day. ||Only 3 restrooms for all the guests, and one of them out of TP with no extra rolls anywhere. ||On my second day, after being gone all day and finding the note scolding me for taking the wrong bed, I found also my small hand towel gone from where I'd hung it to dry on my bedframe, a staff person having apparently collected it along with used bedding -- but there was no access to the laundry room for me to retrieve it. I replied to the check-in email, as it advised for relaying a problem, asking that a staff person retrieve the towel for me before my check-out next morning at 9am. Instead of a reply to that, I soon rec'd a cheery and oblivious email thanking me so much for staying there! They eventually replied to the lost-towel email saying they'd ask staff about it, not seeming to notice that I was long gone by then. No followup from them on that -- I'm just out one towel now. ||In addition, the wifi seemed to be slow and therefore not of much use. ||The overall experience was of a penny-pinching establishment providing the barest minimum and showing little concern for guests. ||A friendly and present staff could make a world of difference.

The newly listed "Cozy Cottage" was great for our family of 5. We weren't sure about the hostel when we booked but it was great. Loved the setup. Cool porches. A little off the beaten path but a super cute and fun neighborhood. Owner was in constant contact with us. We were the 2nd renters and i would give it 5 stars with a few adjustments, which the owner seemed apt to make.

This hostel will hold a special place in my heart. The friendship I fostered here will become part of my memory. Ultimately it’s all about the people. If you need an excuse to talk to people, Not So Hostel provides just that. Wish the best to all those who I talked to during my stay.

UPDATE: After leaving the one store reviews, host offered to refund $100. I told her no and that I would actually be updating my review. Why couldn't she off that then? Its not because its a small business its because she is more worried about money than her morals. - Host is rude. Dont spend money here. I will note I did not get to stay here due to the world wide outage and host was not understanding. Then proceeded to leave a review on air bnb saying I asked for refund out of cancellation policy. Like as if I asked out of no where, there was a world wide issue, how could I have done it on time. I was trying to go. Yet she had no compassion

I recently stayed there with a friend, we got the Carissa room and the experience was really good, excellent location you can easily get to downtown walking, lots of restaurants and bars around, bus stops, etc. big parking lot. You feel like you staying at home, I loved the common areas, they got 2 kitchens and 3 full bathrooms, the only issue is the rooms can get a little hot at night, but other than that a really good stay.

Great hostel centrally located in Charleston. Stayed in a private room at their main building in the Kenya room. Know that this has a shared door with the next room so you will hear more than you probably would in other rooms. There's a ceiling fan and screen door so if you are lucky enough to get good weather then it's perfect. Private tiny half bath with a shared shower a few doors down. Shared fully stocked kitchen as well if you want to cook. Loved the porches where you could hang. In a very walkable location and people brought their cars to get around. Expect a high uber fare from the airport though. A few things I didn't love was that they said there was coffee and tea, but couldn't find any supplies at all. We also didn't have soap in the bathroom so had to borrow some from the shared bathroom. The room was clean and had blankets. The mattress could be better, but is to be expected. Contactless check in and no staff on site. There was no one really around so not much of an atmosphere, but that is typical for the US hostels. The dorms might have been more social.

I stayed at the Annex location in the Kendall Suite. Good value for downtown, though I have a few caveats. The building and neighborhood are kind of loud. The air-conditioner outside, trucks rolling down the street, old plumbing, other guests walking around on the wooden floors... (The hostel provides complimentary earplugs, though.) There is no sink in the bathroom, only the sink in the mini-kitchenette area of the room, which is also the sink for washing dishes/food prep. The shower is tiny, which I don't mind, but there did seem to be a bit of grime stuck in the cracks where the shower walls meet the floor. Personally I would recommend wearing shower shoes if using. The thermostat is controlled centrally to the house, so I had no temperature control over the room. I found myself getting very hot in the middle of the night (normally I FREEZE at night, so the thermostat must've been set pretty warm). Now for the positive. After tax, I paid $105 for the Kendall Suite, which is an OUTSTANDING price for downtown Charleston. I was able to walk to upper King Street in under 3 minutes. The room was clean & bright, tastefully decorated. I had a reserved parking spot (the parking lot is a little tight: my Camry did just fine, but anyone in a large SUV might want to take note). I was allowed to park from 2pm (check-in time) until 2pm the next day. This is a MAJOR bonus for Charleston, as parking downtown can be an expensive pain. Even after checkout, I had access to the main area of the hostel until 6pm, which was great. (I had restaurant leftovers which needed to stay cold, so I was able to leave them in the community frig, while I explored the city for a few more hours before driving home.) There are multiple amazing restaurants close by, & a corner Mom-&-Pops convenience store just 2 blocks away. The little balcony outside my room had a small seating area. It was surprisingly comfortable, & I enjoyed reading a book outside in the cool evening weather. Overall this was a decent place to stay for the price. If you are looking for quiet & luxury, this might not be your place. But if you just need somewhere convenient, safe, & clean to crash after a night of heavy bar-hopping, it would be perfect.

Stayed at the Annex location near King st. This hostel has a nice swing seating on the porch where its great for having your morning coffee. There are a good amount of bathrooms where we really didn't have to wait for more than a few minutes at most. Just be aware that this location does not have laundry available. There's a great takeout place around the corner called Dave's carryout which has very affordable fried seafood platters to go. Place is kept immaculately clean. Would recommend for anyone seeking a location that's in the middle of the action in downtown Charleston.

After a night with a few issues, which I'm sure isn't the norm, the owner was able to make up for it and corrected a few things in house to make sure no guests would have the same issues in the future. Berry accommodating. Thank you .

I recently experienced two firsts: a first visit to Charleston and my first stay at a hostel. The NotSo Hostel turned out to be the perfect place to unwind at the end of each day. The historic building blends old world charm with modern amenities. I stayed at the main location on Spring Street, in the Brazil Suite, which includes a queen bed, a small closet, a small private bathroom with rain head shower, and a desk. The mattress was comfortable, the bedding soft, and there were plenty of pillows to choose from. The first floor, middle-building location of the room was quiet, easy-to-find, and the coded entries felt secure. (Note: The suite is next to a community kitchen and a community bathroom, but the noise from other visitors was minimal.) There is also a small outdoor patio with seating, and private, off-street, parking. Restaurants, coffee shops (try Bad Bunnies), and other small businesses are within walking distance. Initially, I was hesitant about booking a hostel stay, but NotSo Hostel was a wonderful first experience!

This is the only hostel in town I believed. It was like $60 for 2 nights. The email they sent in beforehand was super helpful on how to take the $15 airport shuttle and getting around town. This such an interesting concept because it's self check in. They give you a unique code to get in. They have free oatmeal and coffee and tea. Also, if you forget anything, they have stuff there for you. The showers were super clean. They have 2 bathrooms for use. They provide free towels and sheets. I stayed the 4 bed girl dorm.The 1st night I stayed with only one girl and the next night, I was by myself. I wish they did put the sheets out already because I felt bad making the bed at 2 am. Also, I wish the top bunks had an outlet. They also have this massive front porch if you want to relax. It's also pretty close to King street.

We stayed at the Annex location at 33 Cannon street from Sunday 6/12/22 to Wednesday 6/15/22. I was a little leery because I've never stayed at a Hostel before but I was pleasantly surprised by the accommodations. When we first arrived, we checked in and went to the room on the second floor. It wasn't a large room but it was clean, cool and had a working ceiling fan. The room had a Full size bed, 2 lamps above the bed, a closet and an alcove with 4 large shelves. There's a small bathroom right across the hall from the room which was very convenient until I discovered a send large bathroom around the corner by the bookshelf that held more towels. wash cloths, hair dryer and clothes steamer. There's a small but adequate kitchen on the first floor as well as a small livingroom with a tv. When you first walk in the front door and to the left there's a table with guide books and great info about Charleston which we found very helpful. The room was comfortable except there needs to be boards out underneath the mattress on each corner to stabilize the mattress. If you sit on the corner of the bed, the mattress will sink down between the footboard The only other small issue we had was opening the front door with the code. Sometimes it worked perfectly and others we had to turn the handle & pull or pushed the door so we could enter the code and open the door. These rooms also had a room key for added security. I would recommend staying here and we will definitely stay here when we come to Charleston again

My partner & I stayed in the Kendall Room (located in the annex building) for two nights. The space was very clean, well lit, and well kept. Having experienced various hostels before, this one is definitely above average in its cleanliness, organization, thoughtfulness in providing various essentials, & overall aesthetic. My partner had not stayed at a hostel before, and he definitely had to adjust his expectations about the size of our room and close proximity to other guests. A few notes about our stay: - The Kendall Room is directly next to the kitchen, and you can VERY clearly hear when anyone is in the common area or kitchen. The annex was not at capacity when we were visiting, so this was only an issue at a couple of points. At one point, our fire alarm went off in the morning as a result of someone using the toaster, and it took a few minutes of confusion on our end before it went off. - The bathroom is extremely small (just a toilet and TINY shower, and then you use the kitchenette sink in the bedroom) to the point that it's a bit stressful to navigate, but it was ultimately functional and worked fine. Really good water temp & pressure in the shower. We had a very nice mini fridge, microwave, & coffee maker in our kitchenette which was honestly more than I expected. - The bed is not very comfortable, but we were pretty exhausted and slept fine. One annoying thing was that the room does not get very dark at night because of lights that are outside in the back of the house. - As the hostel is in fact an old house, it definitely feels like it (squeaky wood floor, "old house" smell, etc) - which I love but is of course not everyone's cup of tea. - The Wi-Fi was extremely weak from our room, so we ended up using data primarily (I have unlimited data so this didn't feel like a big deal to me, my partner does not so it was more frustrating for him). - The location is amazing - we are big walkers so doing a 25 minute walk down king street to the historic district was no big deal, and free parking is hard to come by so that is huge. There are some really cute places to eat and shop much closer to the hostel too, and the beach is about a half hour drive. I felt safe in the area as well as the hostel itself throughout our stay. Overall, would absolutely recommend to those who are staying in the area for a shorter amount of time, prioritizing location, and comfortable with hostel-style accommodations - keeping in mind that the private rooms and suites are not as spacious or private as some might anticipate.

I stayed in the Kendall Room, and this has a separate entrance from everything else and is a private room with attached bathroom, so I can only comment on this space. This self-described hostel has two locations and is no longer offering dormitory-style sleeping due to COVID. The private room I reserved was not fancy, with a small bathroom with no sink, and a kitchenette with a microwave, fridge and a sink. It was a bit chilly when I got there and I was concerned, but the heat kicked in nicely. They had wifi, but it was the sort of wifi that was slow and balky enough that I'm glad I have unlimited data and don't have to rely on wifi. You do have to calibrate expectations. Walls are thin and there could be issues if your neighbors aren't quiet. It's limited space. But when you consider the market in Charleston, normally I pay a similar rate and stay in an Airbnb well outside the city. This place is walkable to most anywhere you'd want to go in Charleston, and they have off-street parking (albeit in a small gravel lot which was filled with gratuitously large vehicles on my visit). Parking in Charleston is valuable, and you can use that parking even beyond the hours of your reservation. leeping in town is valuable. So if you're willing to put up with the limitations of a hostel, it's an okay deal.

This is the most squalid place I have stayed in years. It is in poor repair and the facilities are inadequate. DON'T BELIEVE THE PICTURES! We paid extra to have a half bath in the room. It was so small it was practically unusable, measured 20 inches wide by ~48 inches long. Very claustrophobic, don't plan on closing the door while you're in there! There is NO place to hang your clothes, towels or anything else. No hooks, rods, shelves or dresser. Was worried a cockroach would run across me while I was asleep. Take your money and stay somewhere else!

Horrible. don't recommend, they mess up dates and make you pay even if you're not staying there.

We stayed in the Cuba and Kenya rooms and they were great!! Super clean, quiet, and comfy. Lots of room to store and cook food. Loved our stay and would recommend to anyone visiting the Charleston are.

Review of the Notso Hostel Annex I had such a great stay there! The Kendall room @ The Annex was perfect for me while I was visiting my daughter in Charleston for a few days. Simple but nice and clean! Affordable if you are on a budget. Private entrance and private bathroom with a large mini-fridge, microwave, and dishes...plus access to the communal kitchen area with complimentary tea, coffee, and oatmeal. You can also cook meals in the kitchen if you want and the communal living area has a tv...but I never used that space. The room came with all the necessary accommodations and provisions that I needed. [Bring your own shampoo and conditioner...all purpose body wash was provided, as well as hand soap, and dish soap.] The room had a cute little table and 2 chairs with a lamp for reading, eating, or working. Bed was very comfy. [Queen or Full size not sure] They provide a sound machine and ear plugs if needed. Only loud morning was trash pick on Tuesday I think... Loved the balcony sitting area for a cup of tea in the AM and a glass of wine in the PM. Amazing location-2 blocks walking to King Street and Brown's Court Bakery..yum! Parking space right in front of the stairs to my Kendall Room. I felt very safe here. I will definitely stay here again! Best, Kristen

Just finished a stay at Not So Hostel and would say that it was a mixed bag. Pros: As far as I can tell, Not So Hostel is one of the only places you can stay within walking distance of King Street that is under $100 for 2 people in a private room. Really appreciated the prices. The check in procedure was easy and I liked how the doors had codes (no key = no key that can be lost). Glad we could check in at 2pm, but our friends in a dorm had to wait til 5, which is pretty late. Everything is decorated so cute! The communal bathrooms were clean and functional and I never had to wait to use one. I also liked how there were multiple kitchens/communal spaces. The kitties were very friendly, too! We stayed in the Austria room and it was a good size. And there was ample parking behind the main building. Cons: We did not sleep well. The beds are not very comfortable and it was pretty hot even though we had A/C. The first night, our smoke detector beeped (low battery noise) all night. We tried to remove the battery and reset it ourselves but we couldn't get the noise to go off. There was no after hour number to call that I could find, which I found unacceptable. We hardly slept that night with it going off. They were quick to fix it the next day, though. The walls are thin but luckily we had quiet neighbors. The half bath in the Austria room was tiny and it was almost impossible to spit into the sink after brushing your teeth because of the geometry. Not being able to sleep well after long days of walking around the city wasn't great, and is the primary reason I wouldn't come back. Overall, it wasn't a horrible experience, but I think next time I'd rather pay a bit more for nicer accommodations. This is definitely a great place on a budget, though!

Not so hostile is not a misnomer as the staffs most definitely do not give off any welcoming or friendly vibes. The hostel is in a converted old duplex so the sound insulation is quite poor. I would not recommend staying in the rooms by the stairs if you're a light sleeper. You'll be able to hear the squeaky stairs, tv in the other rooms and people coming back late at night. Also, keep in mind that beds are not pre-made in the dorm rooms and they are not the comfiest. I'm not sure how often they wash the blanket since they don't tell you to put that in the hamper along with the fitted sheet, flat sheet and towel provided upon checkout. Having stayed in multiple hostels in Europe and Asia, I would not recommend staying here unless you're in a lodging crunch. (Do make sure the back door code is emailed to you if you do, or you'll be stuck waiting til 5pm for someone to open the front door like I did).

If half stars were possible, I'd give them a 2.5 stars. I mainly chose this place for its great location and free parking. We were able to walk to most of the places. Our room was small but clean. We were gonna be out and exploring anyways so we didn't mind. There a few things I didn't like. 1.There are only 2 bathrooms available in the entire hostel, which was very inconvenient. The shower for downstairs only had cold water so we had to go to the main building for hot showers. 2. Our bed was very uncomfortable. After a long day of walking, sleeping in uncomfortable beds were not that great. And the beds and frames are very squeaky that every time the people in the room next door moved, I could hear. 3. If you have loud people next door, you will hate your stay. The doors are about 1.5 inches above the floor. I put my bags there so I wouldn't feel like someone was watching us through the cracks and so we could block the noises from next door. There are earplugs you could use too but none of it really helped. 4. The floors are very squeaky. Every time someone came up the building and went up the stairs, I woke up. Again, the noise is a really big issue here. 5. Their cell service wasn't the best but the WiFi was even worse. Basically, if you want to stay in, you can't do much because you have no service. Overall, I wouldn't recommend getting a room here unless you are in college or looking for something very cheap. Considering that we had a private room, I expected a little more but at the end of the day, this is a hostel so I expected too much. Though I've definitely had better hostel experiences.

The Not So Hostel offers comfy and cozy accommodations that are super affordable. For those of you who have never stayed at a hostel, think of it as camping. If you have never camped and you are the high maintenance sort, just skip it altogether. If you are looking for a spotlessly clean room or you think you should get all the amenities of a hotel for a fraction of the cost, skip the hostel experience altogether. The idea of a hostel is that it is a cheap place to put your head down at night after being out exploring all day. Charleston is EXPENSIVE so staying here is a great option while you spend what money you might have on fabulous meals, art, tours,shopping etc. 1.) The hostel is clean. Yes, you will see dust and dirt on and around the baseboards and windowsills. Old (read historical) buildings can be hard to keep spotless, especially in communal areas with visitors coming and going all day. Big whoop! 2.) Bring your shower shoes/flips flops. This goes for anytime you are using any communal facilities. The showers I used were clean although the lighting in both bathrooms I used was poor. Also, bring your own towels. I will say that I found the communal hand towel kinda gross so I brought my own. They should consider putting in some hand dryers and better lighting in the bathrooms. Honestly, out of this whole trip that is my only complaint, and a minor one at that. And OH...ME....GAWD! You will might have to walk out of your room and head spitting distance down the porch to use the bathroom or if that is occupied, walk across (gasp!) the tiny parking lot to pee! If this troubles you I suggest wearing a diaper to bed or packing a bed pan and/or commode. 3.) There is nothing wrong with the bed sheets. As for the blankets, even five star hotels don't wash them after every guest. If that bothers you, bring your own blankets. The blankets in our room were clean. The sheets were clean and fit the bed just fine. 3.) Yes, there are garbage cans in front of the building. That how garbage removal is handled these days. You put it in big cans and a garbage truck shows up and hauls it away. You don't see this at the Hyatt because the have the space to hide it in the back so you don't have to see it but I assure you, every place you stay has trash. Get over it. 4.) Yes, you might see some "odd" people at the hostel. They may find you equally as "odd." You will often find guests hanging out in the main building. Try not being so judgmental and say hello. You might make a new friend. That aside, no matter where you stay, whether at a hostel, a campground, a hotel or even under a bridge in a cardboard box it behooves you to be mindful of your surroundings and your safety. The Notso Hostel is no exception. 5.) Consider bringing a fan The AC was off during my November visit although we could have asked to have it turned on. We had use of the ceiling fan and my fan from home and the room was quite comfortable and the fan drowned out any of the street noise. 6.) You will hear your neighbors. While we were there it was quiet but we did hear the boys in the next room chatting. We heard footsteps and someone drop something on the floor above us. That's what happens in old houses, whether you are staying as a guest or renting an apartment. When I was there, people were respectful of the quiet hours. 7.) The beds are uncomfortable. Sorry....they just are but then again, I have never found the beds in any hostel to be stellar. They are more comfy than an air mattress which is likely what you will be sleeping on if you were camping. Hell, half the hotels I have stayed in have less than comfy beds. If you're doing it right, you won't have too much time for sleeping because you will be too busy exploring all that Charleston has to offer. 8.) There are a couple of common areas. The main building has some comfy couches to crash on and read a book. The refrigerators are large. The stove and sink are nice. Hang out and cook your own meals if you wish. The people in these areas were friendly. Make a new friend. Share a vegan burrito or some beef jerky. 9.) The staff and owners are NICE. Yes, really. They are helpful and they are friendly. We needed separate receipts for our employer to reimburse us which they did gladly. They offered suggestions about great places to eat. They smiled. They are nice people. They have no reason to be anything but. For clean, safe, comfy and super affordable accommodations, the NotSo Hostel is top notch. You are within walking distance to all the good stuff. The neighborhood is relatively safe (again, be aware of your surroundings). You'll have a decent place to sleep, shower, eat, poop, etc. while you enjoy Charleston. I know I will come back here next time I am in town.

What an interesting stay, I stayed 3day during memorial day weekend with a group of 5people we stayed at Andrew's Bedroom, the place is clean and tidy however you can hear mice or rats run around at night, during our stay on the second day one of the guest complained a friend of mine woke up in the middle of that night and peed in a bag, Managment said they would investigate and if we were found guilty we would have to leave without a refund, they spring cleaned the room and found no pee or smell, managment then email my group basically threatening us saying my group was to loud??? Thought the complain was about someone peeing? Management also said they would put an attendant to babysit us, which was absolutely fine however she was loud herself, constantly walking in and out the room, she dropped a ladder which woke everyone!! The stay would of been much more pleasant if we were never treated that way...!! Priscila

Not So Hostel is a cute little hostel in a beautiful historical building in a wonderful location. It's easy to walk to nearby King St. where everything is happening, and there are some wonderful restaurants and local coffee shops near by. The main building where I stayed has a beautiful large porch balcony off the 2nd floor which was lovely to sit in the sun, sip some tea, and get some work done on my computer. I had no issues with the wifi; I had a video call with a client of mine and it was clear and normal. The dorm had a locker which is always a good security feature (esp. if you are traveling with electronics), and the main entry doors also require a code to get in. The staff were helpful with some packages I needed shipped from Amazon, and helping me find my shirt the next morning I left behind the night before. My favorite part was hanging out in the back at the communal mini bonfires we had, having a few drinks and making new friends. Yes, there are ways the hostel can improve, and yes this is not a hotel. Be flexible and open minded and you'll have a good experience.

This is a great place to stay if you are traveling through Charleston. My boyfriend and I were there Labor Day weekend, 2013 and we will be back on our next trip to Charleston. The location is great, very close to plenty of bars, restaurants, shopping in the Charleston area. It was nice being able to meet fellow travelers and having other people to bum around with. I do have some suggestions WHEN you visit The Not So Hostel though: 1) Bring shower shoes. The showers are clean and taken care of, but lets be honest, its like living in a dorm. Better safe than sorry. 2) Possibly, bring another fan? We were there over Labor day, second floor room and it was hot. 3) Bring your own sheets, if you make a reservation, you're aware of what size mattress you'll have. They do supply them, but they are well used and the elastic around the fitted sheet kept coming up for us. And towels, bring those too! The only possible negative I would have to say is that there are only two restrooms. When we were there, they were booked solid, so there is a chance that it's not too bad during less busy times. Overall, great, awesome, fantastic place to stay. Be sure to say "Hi' to Leo too, he's the orange cat that lives there. He's a sweetie.

Our private room was clean and didn't have any odd smells or anything. They provided a bowl of ear plugs which was nice and I did use them, the bed was very uncomfortable and made of a strange material. There were drunk people making lots of noise all night, the people above us were walking around their room and up and down the stairs all night. At one point around 5am a girl walked into our private room giving us quite a fright. It's not the worst Hostel I have ever stayed in but it was not a great experience. Breakfast was a platter of oatmeal packets. The price for the location is the only thing that would make this place desirable for me to stay at again.

I totally enjoyed my stay at Not So Hostel (main location) both times I stayed there!! The staff was kind, rooms were clean, and amenities were great. My first night there I stayed in an all female dorm called the Victoria Room and the second night there I stayed in a private room called the Carissa Room. I preferred the Carissa Room mostly due to the privacy and the larger, already made bed. The dorms featured bunk beds which you made yourself (not a problem). Both rooms had fans, ear plugs, and white noise makers that you could adjust to your preference. Two kitchens and three bathrooms, a beautiful balcony. I would definitely stay here again!

Dear Victoria, I can't seem to reply to your comment so I guess my only option is to leave my reply in another review. I think it should be obvious to you that I lied about us enjoying our stay in my first email to you; I left out the parts about the uncomfortable beds, infrequent staffing, etc. because I wanted to be positive in the hopes that you would help us out. Note the fact that the only things I said we "loved" were the location and the nice people; the location remains excellent of course but your staff's and your treatment of us after the fact negated any pleasant encounters we had had with the staff during our stay. I think my request (that you send the item ahead and we pay you for shipping immediately) was pretty reasonable, especially given the fact that we were traveling and had a short stay at our next destination before my friend returned to Europe. But you did not wish to help, and your subsequent emails were not clear or helpful. I would appreciate if you would take my email to you out of your comment, as it includes personal information that I do not wish to have online. Thank you.

My boyfriend and I stayed at the NotSo Hostel over Valentines Day weekend to escape the cold weather up north. We stayed in the Bukowski room at the Annex, which was an awesome location. It was just a short walk to a lot of good bars and restaurants on King Street. The staff was kind and accommodating. Free parking was also a huge plus! My only complaint was that the room was pretty dusty, and my allergies were acting up while sleeping in the room. Other than that, everything was awesome and it was a great hostel! I already recommended it to a close friend back home, so definitely check it out!

NotSo Hostel is a wonderful place, they've done a great job creating a lovely and welcoming atmosphere. I met people from all over, Europe, Canada and all throughout the Americas. Awesome staff and comfy beds. I'd definitely stay there again!

Lovely accommodations! House and rooms are very clean. Provided with clean sheets, blanket and pillowcase upon arrival. Towels also available. Bathrooms are great. Staff are awesome! Perfect place to stay for a traveller on a budget!

Charming no frills hostel. You gotta remember though, that it is a hostel. When I say no frills, I'm not talking about motel 6 amenities, but really no extras. No hair dryers, or phones, or maid service. There is free wifi though. The girls managing the place are really sweet and helpful about what Charleston has to offer. One of them is even fostering some kittens, which we got to see. We stayed in the private Austria room which was $60/night and consisted of two twin beds with vinyl mattresses and a small desk. The manager will give you some mismatched sheets to make your bed. There's no bathroom in there, because you share a bathroom with two other rooms on that floor with you. With fair expectations of what a hostel offers, then you'd have a good time. The place is two blocks from Hominy Grill and within 20 minute walk to the King Street bars and downtown district. A cab ride from Market Street is less than $10. The location is great and the price is much cheaper than any other place in the area. It was even recommended by the New York Times in their budget Charleston article. The only real downside, is that the walls are super thin. My friend and I got back in at 2am one night and despite our attempts at whispering we still got a friendly "shut up knock" from our neighbors next door. Later the next day, we realized how think the walls were when we could hear our neighbors zipping their bags shut. I have no idea how people could ever have sex here. Thin walls. Austria room.

This hostel saved my vacation. My girlfriend and I went to Charleston to visit her sister, and her cramped dorm room was NOT hacking it. We called up NSH, and they had plenty of rooms available last minute (bunks and private rooms). We stayed in the Goldman room- yes, named after Emma Goldman. It was clean, quaint, and super comfy. Check out was as easy as dropping our keys in a box. They even had complimentary coffee and oatmeal in the morning. All of this was $70, but if you stay in a single bed in the common space you can pay as little as $23. I would recommend NSH to anyone looking to spend a relaxing weekend in Charleston! The only downside is that you have to check out by 10, but it forces you to push through your hangover and get out to the beach, so suck it up!

Let me start by saying that I wish I could give it NEGATIVE stars. Thats how truly terrible it was. I've stayed at hostels in the US, in 3 European countries, and a few in Central America. Never, not once, have I been in such a terrible place. To begin - the staff. No one was actually FRIENDLY. They were efficient, yes. But thats it. They show up when their shift seems to start - in the morning to lay out breakfast and in the evening to check people in. Thats it. Which is fine - thats what they tell you will happen. What IS NOT explained is how unhelpful and unfriendly they are. The young lady who checked us in was efficient bordering on curt. I asked her for help about the best bus route options -- she pointed to a map and said clearly "You can look at that" --- offering no further help or insight. I booked one room specifically - they put me in a different room. The air conditioning wasnt working - because it was INCREDIBLY HOT. Its the south. In the summer. How is there no temperature control? Ok, so no air conditioning. Maybe a fan in the rooms at least. Ah - they put those little mini fans for each bed! Thats good - at least I wont swelter to death. No, no -- those fans, whose blades were covered in a thick covering of dust and filth didnt work. Neither did the one in the bed above me. The mattress was not soft, and ungiving. The bed frames moaned and creaked with every roll or turn. The shower had cob webs growing over it and mold on the baseboards. The bathmat was worn and molding as well. The kitchens had rugs stuffed in the holes in the walls / baseboards. Now - lets get to security. You are emailed a code before you arrive in order to let yourself since there are no staff members anywhere to be found. Which is fine and well. Except, upon arriving -- the door codes are posted prominently on the outside of thedoors themselves!!!! ANYONE, literally ANYONE could have just walked in. Which they did. When I asked whom I should talk to in case of an emergency or any problems ( always good to be prepared just in case! ), I was told "unless someone is near death or there is a fire -- just wait until 8:30 in the morning when someone arrives". Thats it. Just wait for help. They did give you a number to call in case of an emergency -- but I saw someone dial that number and guess what? No one answered ( of course ). I would recommend skipping Charleston altogether if you are forced to stay here - thats how bad it was. I have pictures to post as well.

We rocked up to NoSoHostel in Charleston late in the evening knowing that they were already booked, but instead of shooing us away, Nicole (the charming, friendly and helpful staff member) chatted us up for over an hour as we brainstormed other options. During that time, as luck had it, there was a cancellation and we were able to stay. We had an excellent time! We stayed in the Kingsolver room in the annex, which was spartan but well air-conditioned and clean. Our one problem was that we only had one night. Thanks Nicole for being so knowledgeable and accommodating! We definitely enjoyed ourselves and want to return.

Great place! Not So is conveniently located near Downtown Charleston, in which it runs perpendicular to the northern part of King St. I stayed here during the week of July 4th, as it was one of my pit stops on my weeklong journey to South Florida. Originally, my friend and I were only supposed to stay the night, but after some unexpected car trouble, we ended up staying three extra days. Since we didn't make prior reservations, it was certainly a relief to know that they could easily accommodate us during the busiest week of the summer. The staff is very friendly and resourceful! Aside from the fact that it was clean, reasonably priced, and provided all the basic necessities of lodging, the best part was meeting so many new people! Not So definitely knows what they're doing considering it attracts many international travelers, as well as people from across the United States. My friend and I will definitely be back next summer with a large group of people.

My boyfriend and I stayed at the Not So Hostel for a long weekend at the end of March and we had an amazing trip! We stayed in the Brazil room (a private bedroom) which is in the middle house I guess you could call it, right behind the main house. We shared a bedroom and a kitchen with two other rooms and everything was more than adequate. The bathroom was nice, and only a few times did we have any issue battling for bathroom time with the other rooms, but you figure, as long as you're courteous and aware that it IS a shared bathroom things should run smoothly. We didn't use the kitchen really except to keep beer cold in the fridge and the teapot for my morning tea but it definitely had everything you would need to prepare any kind of meal. The bedroom was sparse but it was to be expected. I mean we're both 20-somethings who just wanted a place to crash while exploring the city before I more down there in August. I've read some people complained about the plastic covered mattresses, but if you when to college, the beds are exactly like the ones you would find in dorm rooms...and other hostels all over the world. The room though did have a fan and a window which really did an amazing job at keeping things cool at night. If you were hot during the day you could always sit on the porch where there was furniture and where my boyfriend tried to create nightly Happy Hours. My only complaint came from a group of people lighting fireworks at around 2 AM in the driveway which of course isn't the norm, but was f*cking annoying none the less. Overall we had a great stay would definitely come back/I will be recommending it to all my friends who come to visit me. It might not be the best for parents or older/more finicky people, but if you want something clean, safe, and comfortable then this is the place. I can't really comment on the breakfast that is offered but it looked good enough. The office also had everything you would need in the terms of maps and internet access. Oh! Also towels (I think) were only $1 to rent...something we both did because we were too lazy/forgot to pack our own. You can also rent bikes, but really the Charleston is pretty small and TOTALLY walkable. We walked basically all over the entire peninsula in a day. Oh and if you're looking for beer once you get there (as we were) walk out of the driveway and turn right, then continue 2 blocks. There is a gas station with a pretty good selection. Bottom line, don't hesitate and go!

I stayed in the Cyprus room, a private single. I wanted to stay in a hostel because I find it's a great way to meet new people while traveling rather than stay in a private hotel. However I was disappointed with not so hostel. For the same price as a 3 star hotel there were half to no amenities except for the basic kitchen. No tv, private bathroom, cheap bed and no desk. There is a Frat house next door so raucous partying all afternoon and evening. The earplugs and sound machine helped with that, but I thought it was so odd the checkout email requested I strip the bed before I leave- which I didn't! It's basically a way overpriced room to sleep in. I live for hostels but this really felt overpriced at $115.

Having read the previous reviews, I'd like to set a few things straight. Not So Hostel is just as the name states - a youth hostel. Not the ritz carlton, not a bed and breakfast. Hostels pride themselves on being cheap, safe, 20-something friendly and clean. This place scores high marks on all 4. I've stayed in both the private rooms on a romantic vacation and then in the dorm rooms when I was travelling on business. On both occasions the staff was helpful, informative and very efficient. The bathrooms are scrupulously clean and actually rather stylish, with black slate to finish the shower stalls. The linens were of decent quality and the entire place was pretty darn comfortable. The hostel is located at the Northern part of Charleston, but don't let that concern you - I walked from the hostel to a restaurant on King street by myself, as a female, after dark - and certainly didn't feel unsafe for any reason. Even better, the Medical University of South Carolina campus is less than 5 minutes away on foot - I would highly recommend this hostel to anyone who is coming through on interviews or if you need a short-term place to stay!

I meant to write this review months ago, but time got away from me. Any how, my stay at Not So was simply ideal, to say the least. My partner and I were farming in August when we visited and were able to barter fresh, organic produce for our stay... Thrilled with this news, we offered to cook a couple of meals for fellow hostel mates and had some wonderful conversations out of this. The staff was very friendly and the house, including our room, was very tidy and clean. My boyfriend and I were amazed with the clean restrooms, considering the frequent use. We stayed in a private room and were very comfortable. I would recommend Not So to any one and look forward to our return.

Had a great time staying at the Not So Hostel! It was in an amazing location- literally two blocks from King Street, which is one of the main streets with HEAPS of delicious places to eat and shopping. It was so easy to get out and about without having to use public transport. The hostel was clean and comfortable and the hosts were really friendly and welcoming. Please note the rooms and beds are very small so its not very ideal if you are carrying heaps of luggage. Also it is quite loud in there but they give out free earplugs so its not too much of a worry :) But the hosts were great, friendly and had heaps of tips on where to go! Everyone in Charleston in general were really nice, would love to go back there !

Not-So-Hostel you Rock!!! I loved my whole stay from check in to check out. I wish I could have stayed longer. This place has many pros with just a couple of cons. I stayed in the Cuba room so this is based on the review of the Cuba room. Pros: 1. Great big shower . When I got there was able to change and get ready and no one bothered me. All the guests were considerate of others times in the mornings and used reasonable times in the shower. I wore flip flops in the shower because I always do in hotel/hostel showers. I had warm water each time I showered. 2. There was free bagels, coffee, orange juice, soy milk, nutella, and jam in the morning. By the time I got there are 9:30 all the orange juice was gone. No biggie. I had a great time meeting others and I have to say I met some very nice people from New Zealand and I wish I was able to talk to them for longer . 3. The kitchen adjoined to our room had a stove, sink, refrigerator, and dishes...a plus! too bad I don't cook and I did not use it all all. It's the thought that counts! 4. Free Parking! 5. Free use of computers (they have two) and Internet. I did not need to use them since I had my phone on me, but a nice touch for others. I have used them at other hostels and it is nice. 6. I was right next to the kitchen and near the bathroom. This place seriously felt like home away from home. I made friends. The workers were super nice and I hung out with my new friend in Charleston. Cons: 1. Bathroom need a towel to dry hands please! 2. The wood floors creaked quite a bit and it was hard not to wake up my room mate when I was trying to wake up and shower. 3. The mattress was made out of plastic so it made a lot of noise (but prevented bed bugs...so I guess the good outweighs the bad) 4. They reused the blankets...I stayed away from them as much as I could, but it did get cold at night in our room (but for some reason the kitchen was warm...that made no sense) 5. Parking is hard to get out of the way it is structured. I almost have to reverse 4 times to even make it out (but the least of the concerns since it was for free and my car was safe and I could care less about how long it took me as long as there was parking.)

Great place to stay if you just need a room to sleep and shower. I looked for hotels all around charleston but most of them were charging close to $700 for 4 nights!!! My gf and i decided to stay at the not so hostel bukowski private room for only $300! If you decide to stay here you need to check In at the main location AT 5 PM then walk a couple blocks to the annex location. It was kind of strange that they charged us all 4 nights on my Visa the first day we came and not just a deposit just incase we didn't like it. We were located only a block from King street which u can walk to the market about 1.3 miles. During the walk there are so many stores and good shops you'll be full before arriving to market street. If you don't like to walk We used uber for most of our transportation. If you sign up your first 5 trips are free!!! Environment here is very homie. There's a living room and kitchen with 1 tv. 2 shared bathrooms at the annex location (only private rooms). Rooms are pretty small but manageable and saving $400 we didn't really care. We bought a Lysol to go spray to disinfect the sheets which made them smell super nice. They do wash the sheets because u have to turn in your sheets into the laundry basket checking out. We wore our slippers in the showers due to the shower stalls and bathrooms not being very clean. Check out here is at 10 and they let you keep your bags here if your flight back is at a later time. I would recommend staying here to save you hundreds of dollars.

Our experience here was just lovely. The whole property is very cute and unique. We stayed in the India room. It was quiet. The hostel seemed very clean. I forgot to bring shower shoes, and I didn't even contract any foot disease from the shower! The beds were just fine, and I happen to be quite picky about beds It's not in the heart of the tourist area, but it's in a cool neighborhood and there is free transit to the more visited parts of the city. I'd highly recommend it as a budget option in Charleston.

When I travel I usually stay in hostels because I often feel lonely when I stay in hotels (I often travel alone). Generally the cities I visit have several hostels to choose from. Not Charleston. Due to the lack of options, I really was not expecting much from the Not So Hostel. About a week before my trip I lost my credit card and I immediately contacted my credit card company and asked them to expedite a new card. I waited and waited and when I called them about my card, the person I had spoken to about sending a replacement, didn't and there was not enough time for me to get a new card before my trip. I began to panic. Although I had cash, it is important for me to carry a credit card in case of an emergency. I was going to be in Charleston for a week after all. There were several options available to me, and I chose to contact the hostel for permission to have the card sent to them. The manager Victoria was absolutely amazing about the whole matter and gave me permission to have the card sent to the hostel. What a relief! Check-in at the hostel is 5pm, which is quite late for a hostel, though they did provide you with the WiFi password in advance and are given permission to chill at the hostel. Check-in was not a problem for me because my flight was delayed and I did not reach the hostel until 5:30pm. The hostel itself was quite charming. I stayed in the Cyprus room which is supposed to be the quietest of the bunch. Since beds are not assigned to you, but instead it is first come first serve, I was able to choose my own bed since I had arrived before all the other guests that were staying in the room with me (I prefer to sleep on bottom bunks). I did notice in my stay that people were having some problems getting up and down the top bunks because of the fans and awkward stairs. But overall all the guests seemed content. There is a kitchen that you share and this kitchen is equipped with everything you need to cook (cutlery, pans, pots, microwave, stove, etc). Every morning starting at about 8:30am there is a "buffet-style" breakfast with bagels, English muffins, coffee and tea. There are also an array of spreads to choose from such as cream cheese and Nutella. Transportation is available near and around the hostel, though as I have mentioned in other posts, public transit in Charleston is unreliable since they hardly ever show up on time. There is plenty of parking at the hostel, so many people either drove to the hostel or rented a car during their stay in Charleston. I felt crippled because I don't drive and it seems that driving is almost necessary in Charleston. So if you are going to be using the public transit system, be warned that you will need a lot of patience. I recommend this hostel because the rooms were good (specially liked the fan on each bed. Awesome!), the kitchens were great, the staff was friendly and professional, and it was usually filled with guests, so meeting people was not a problem. I see what other guests mean by the plastic on the beds being annoying, etc. But hey, you are paying under $30 a night. I have stayed in over 40 hostels during my travels, and these concerns were not a deal breaker. One thing that really frustrated me though was the weak WiFi signal that I got at the Cyprus room, though the internet in the main building was strong.

If you care about staying in a room with a proper non-creaking bed, clean bed sheets/pillows, clean floor with no hairs and used bandaids from previous guests, a bathroom without fungi, a non-smelly fridge with no traces of stale food, corridors without dirty plastic cups and wine glasses, and some silence at nighttime, just go somewhere else. NotSo is the worst hostel I have ever stayed in my life.

Coolest little Hostel I've been to great ambiance, and staff. It's tucked back off the road in it own little world.

This place was great! Very close to everything in Peninsular Charleston. Within walking distance to a few coffee shops and the up and coming area off of the Northern part of King Street which seems to be booming with new restaurants, vibrant bars, and lot of energy from young and older people gathering. Emily was running the show when we checked in and throughout the weekend. she was great: super informative and extremely accommodating. She also happened to love New Orleans so we had a lot to discuss. We had a private room at the Annex which was about 5 blocks from the main house - very easy walk. The Annex was very quiet, clean, and comfortable. The only bad thing I could say about this place was that their pillows are old and uncomfortable. Bring your own pillow and shower products. I've been to some sketch/not accommodating hostels - These guys are running a great place here. It's safe and comfortable at a reasonable rate.

The name says it all NotSoHostel, it's a cute little cozy welcoming home. It is a hostel and cheaper which is the best part. Friendly ladies work here. Breakfast is great with different taste of bagels, English muffin, cream cheese, peanut butter jelly, chocolate spread, coffee and tea. It's ready 8.30 in morning. Clean after yourself por favor :-) Ps. Towel rental is 1$ or being your own. They also rent out bikes which is great to explore the city biking. Location is perfect if you like to walk. It's 30-40 min walk to downtown, walk to King str then down to Downtown, pretty easy. Charleston is a beautiful city, you see lots of hole in wall with walking. I enjoy walking so I didn't mind. If not take the free trolley one street down. I didn't have any bad experience here since my main point was to explore Charleston. Depends on what you want out of your stay. Charleston was breathtaking, I will definitely be back here again for more stay :-) Just a note: since there are no staff overnight or off work hours, my main concern is emergencies, things can happen anytime. Another issue was some do not respect the quiet time after 10pm, it says clearly in the kitchen on the wall. However some make loud laughs and talks in the kitchen. Since there are no staff in the hostel off working hours obviously people take advantage of this freedom and disrespect others.

We were in town for a wedding, and were blown away by the hotel prices in the downtown area. 160 a night? No thank you. Enter Notso Hostel... I'd originally found the Notso Hostel Annex on Airbnb but learned the room that was available online wasn't actually available, but was directed to book a room at the main Notso location on Spring Street. The thing is, Notso is fantastic if you know what you're getting into. It is a hostel, not a low-budget hotel. I often felt as if I were back in summercamp on many levels. We stayed in one of their private rooms upstairs, which was quaint. The linens provided with the room included two rough looking pillows, a fitted and top sheet. The mattress was thin (read: super uncomfortable) and covered with plastic casing. Why the pillows were not covered in some sort of bedbug proof casing as well is beyond me. There was no blanket or AC, but there was a fan which proved to be a godsend. Towels were available for rent for a buck a piece. A simple bagel breakfast was provided in the mornings which we never partook in. The bathroom situation is what really irked me. I was under the impression we'd be sharing a bathroom with a few private rooms like mine...not the entire building. That being said, there were two bathrooms on the first floor in the main house, and a throng of folks staying in the dorm-style rooms throughout. The bathrooms were never very clean nor available during the morning/evening hours (when we were in the house), and I kept thinking to myself, I'm too old to have to be wearing flip-flops and waiting in line to use the loo! Additionally, there was a dank hand towel located in one of the bathrooms that looked as if it hadn't been replaced in ages. Notso is a very eco-conscious establishment, so I get they don't offer paper towels, but wouldn't an air-powered hand dryer make sense? Would I stay here again? Probably not. Would I recommend this spot to my fiancés travel-happy little sister, yes.

I was supposed to stay two nights, but I couldn't bring my self to sleep on a heavy vinyl rock hard mattress and shower in a filthy shower again. You need REALLY LOW standards to enjoy this place. I'd rather sleep in a tent at a campground than stay here again. Staff was pretentious and indignant about the fact my dogs slept in a crate at night. I had to park my truck off site to avoid confrontation with them. Don't mistake your hostel in Europe with this place.

The owner, Vikki, is always striving to make the hostel the best it can be. I love the quaint styles of the rooms. It makes a big difference in comparison to the other hostels I've stayed at that felt more sterile or uninviting. And what a beautiful historic house!!!

While looking for a place to stay in Charletson, we were absolutely floored by how expensive it was to find a room near Downtown Charleston. Enter Not So Hostel! It is within walking distance of lots of restaurants and bars, but it is a bit of a hike. It is in a little oasis of a busy street in a couple of converted southern houses. It was $60 a night for a private room with a shared bathroom. The room was pretty large with a dresser and another table to put all our junk on. The staff was very helpful, although the office is only open from 5-10 pm, so it is a bit difficult to talk with them if necessary. The hostel has a complimentary breakfast with coffee, bagels and spreads from 9-10 am. There are also lots of traditional hostel rooms with tons of bunk beds crammed inside if you are traveling in a large group or want to save a bit more money. It's probably a little over a mile plus to the first big grouping of restaurants on north King Street. One word of caution, and keep this in mind if you are trying for a more romantic trip: the two individual rooms that abut the balcony and boast of lots of windows are actually a bad idea. They are right next to the balcony where all the drunk revelers go to smoke and laugh from 1am - 5:30 am in the morning! I found this out the hard way for sure. The windows are very thin. If you want a quieter room, be sure not to pick one of those. However, we only had problems on Friday and Saturday night, so if you are there during the week, it may be fine. Despite a couple sleepless nights, I would still come back here. It is a nice place and a great deal for Charleston. You can spend all your extra money on seafood!

Great place, lovely staff and perfect location. I stayed here in November when visiting Charleston for the first time and couldn't have picked a better place. It was between an AirBnb all alone, or a hostel right near downtown and I went with the Hostel! Great communal vibe, clean rooms, and friendly staff. Check in is at 5 which I didn't realize at first, but just make sure you read their email as everything is detailed and laid out for your stay. Couldn't recommend a place more.