Hostelling International - Washington, DC

Bunk beds in rooms and busy toilets, be prepared to wait. As a student and as a backpacker, this is a terrific place to stay and save money for things that really matter in DC.

Unique Quality: Amazing atmosphere, helpful staff, free wi-fi, free breakfast.

As any on-the-budget world traveller knows, Hostelling International is you cost-effective solution to any city in the world that you care to travel. It's certified, safe, clean, and can always expect the quality that goes with their name. I've ALWAYS found that true with Hostelling International. (I can't say the same for other hostelling groups/networks, some of which put you in seedy locations) With Hostelling, you always meet great new people travelling like you around the world and many new friendships are made ... chatting, playing games, watching movies, taking tours, computer networking, hostel activities, making meals together, or being roommates. Hostelling International - Washington DC (HI-DC) is one of those great places where Hostelling International gets a good name. It's also the only current hostel in the world to be Energy Star certified. HI-DC is located within walking distance from all the tourist attractions, monuments, museums, and shopping that D.C. offers. For me who likes to do alternative clubbing at night, it's also in the neighbourhood from the only venues I've been turned on to. HI-DC offers dormitory rooms ($26/night) as well as private rooms ($69/night). They offer: 24-hour front desk service and security • No curfew, no lock-out • Rates include tax • An environment that is drug-free, smoke-free and alcohol-free • A/C and heat in all guestrooms • FREE breakfast • FREE in-room lockers, linens and towels • FREE tours, movie nights and programs • FREE Wi-Fi • FREE local map and area information • FREE books, puzzles, pool table • Common room with big, comfortable couches, Internet stations, information center, and pre-paid phone card machine • TV room with big screen, 150+ channels, DVD, VCR, library with FREE movies and leather club chairs • Fully-equipped, self-service kitchen • Outside patio seating • Wheelchair accessibility • Visa and MasterCard accepted • Nearby restaurants, bars and pubs, grocery shopping, pharmacy and other conveniences • Individual travelers and groups welcome. They are open 24 hrs/day; every day of the year. Visit the above website for pictures around the location. My visit was fabulous ... Highly recommended. Thank you HI-DC! Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

The hostel on 11th Street I thought was very good. It was in a convenient location, the staff where helpful to me. I was courteous to them and they let me have extra blankets when asked, a late check out and refunded one night stay no problem when I left early.

As a tip I wanted a room to myself but didn’t want to pay the price of a single room, the hostel is more expensive than most. So I asked and they simply put me in a quad room with no one else in there. I thought that worked out well. For a bed in the quad room I paid $36.

The hostel had laundry facilities, private lockers, and a kitchen that you can use. One little quirk and I noticed other tips about this on the internet. The web site kind of implies that breakfast is included. It is available there in the morning but you have to pay and after I seen what was available I passed on it all and hit the road to go touring.

There were no sleeping bags allowed and the bed was a bed. I found it a little cool with one of the vents blowing air into the room.

In the front lobby there were sign up sheets for free activities. I had my name down to go to a classical performance at one of the theatres but later ended up going home early, the bathrooms on the floor where clean I thought and got a couple of showers there.

Overall this is a fine hostel and would stay there again.

Unique Quality: Stay tuned.

Directions: 5 Blocks from the White House