My Honest Review of the HI Hostel Boston

Boston, Massachusetts

The first thing I learned when trying to book a hostel in Boston is that hostels are few and far in-between there. This means that, more than likely, the HI Hostel in Boston (from Hostelling International) may be one of your only options if you go this route. So is it worth it? Or should you just splurge for a hotel?

The first thing Boston's HI Hostel has going for it is the location. It’s centrally located in the Chinatown neighborhood. You can easily walk around the city from here, but there’s also a subway station a few blocks up around the corner. 
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The hostel itself is actually really nice and modern. They have a cozy lobby area to hang out, and then the kitchen/dining area is on the second floor.

The rooms and bathrooms were also nice. They have private bathroom spaces with showers and toilets, so you have somewhere private to change and get ready for that day. The rooms were narrow, which I could see being an issue if you have messy roommates, but the lockers are really big so you can fit plenty of stuff in them. You also get a free towel. Most hostels I’ve been to require a towel deposit or just a flat out charge you for that.

But perhaps the biggest appeal of all is the complimentary breakfast. Sure, it’s pretty minimal (the general foods available are toast, bagels, and cereal), but it’s still free, which is more than I can say for other hostels that typically charge for breakfast.

All in all, I would recommend the HI Hostel Boston. Like most hostels, the people you share a room with will make or break the situation. For example, my first night there I got stuck with an older women in the room who kept playing music and leaving the lights on throughout the night. Then there was the guy who practically bathed himself in cologne. But my second two nights, those two were gone, and the room was totally quiet and easy to sleep in.

My biggest recommendation for this hostel, however, is to book a room or bed well in advance. I got one of the last reservations for the weekend I was there this fall, which is likely a busy time because people also go to Salem. Still, since it’s practically the only hostel in Boston, don’t take any chances and get yourself a reservation ahead of your trip.

Transparency Disclosure — The opinions on this website are independent and based on my own personal experiences. I may receive a referral fee for stays booked through the links on this site.