I just need to say that people’s reviews of this place are VERY generous. Is it a cheap stay in the heart of downtown Austin? Yes. Is it as clean, safe, and cool like everyone says it is? Heck no. It worked fine for a one-night stay when I just needed a bed to sleep in, but I would never want to stay longer. I’m not a high-maintenance or picky person when it comes to hotels but this is one place I really would not go back to.
Overall, the building is pretty dark and dirty. There are some cool murals on the hallway walls and yes, the speakeasy behind the bookcase is neat. But the areas you’d actually stay in are a completely different story.
The beds themselves are comfortable. You get 2 pillows, sheets, and a light blanket as your bedding (no outside bedding allowed). The space is tight. I was in a top bunk and there was an air duct over my bed, so I couldn’t sit up in the bed at all. I ended up sharing the room with a bunch of guys, which was fine, just a little weird at first. You do hear a lot of noise from the bar downstairs and the street, but they give you earplugs, which help. Each bed has a shelf and a personal mini fan that clips onto it.
Ok, moving on… The girls bathrooms are GROSS. There’s mold and dirt everywhere, floor to ceiling. Bring shoes if you plan on showering (but honestly, I wouldn’t).
The kitchen is disgusting. The fridge is packed with expired food from months ago (it’s all labeled with past guests’ names and the dates of their stay…. Just throw it out). You open it and the whole room smells rancid.
The best part about this place is the location. Austin has such a cool downtown, but parking around here is expensive and hard to find. The hostel is within walking distance of everything you could want to see.