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HI Honolulu Hostel (Honolulu, USA)
by rebenectomy
Bed price (per night) from: 20.00 USD/ 12.00 GBP
Single Room (per night): 46.00 USD/ 28.00 GBP
While by no means a complete washout, this hostel was somewhat of a disappointment compared to it's sister Hostel HI Waikiki where I also stayed for part of my trip. This was certainly not a reflection of the establishment with ... regards to its presentation and upkeep, which were of a very high standard in terms of cleanliness and comfort, but rather a result of a poor location. Situated in the residential area of Honolulu University, the hostel was fairly isolated. For those seeking peace and quiet this would be ideal, but it should be noted that nearest beach was a considerable walk, in an area that is not particularly pedestrian friendly. There didn't appear to be much happening locally either, during the day or in the evenings, though there were fairly regular buses in and out of Honolulu Centre and Waikiki (if you were prepared to pay for a taxi back at night i.e. after 10pm). This may have been due in part to the fact that although a student area, when I visited at Easter most of the students were away and as a result the area was very subdued. This would certainly be worth bearing in mind for those visiting at Christmas or in the summer months.
Tours and activities were offered, though you may find yourself being re-directed to HI Waikiki for some of these, including the Airport Shuttle. Staff were friendly, though not as informative as their counterparts in Waikiki and a lot more difficult to locate, which was surprising given that the hostel was much smaller.
The hostels main appeals were a beautiful garden, ideal for eating meals (complete with friendly lizards) and a great Asian supermarket in the area, which was both cheap and varied. If you're looking for a more rustic and relaxed atmosphere, a break from the overtly touristy and tackier aspects of the Waikiki and Honolulu Centres, this would be the place for you. I could imagine this appealing to a more mature customer who isn't looking for anything in terms of pubs and clubs, or the lone traveler. This would also be more suited to those with their own mode of transport as it is great spot to head out to see the rest of the island from, though parking within the hostel was limited and on a first come first served basis. There is also no internet facilities, so you'd be well advised investing in a phone card for communications back home.
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Youth Hostels in Ottawa (Canada)
by TigerMystery
HI Ottawa Jail Hostel, 75 Nicholas Street
I loved this hostel! The novelty of staying in a jail cell was fantastic. However, a friend of mine stayed here and swears she saw a ghost.
I had arrived in Ottawa on the overnight bus. It got me in at 4 in the morning (much earlier than I expected!), but I couldn't check ... into the hostel until about 10. The reception opened at 7, and I was able to put my stuff in a locker until check-in. They let me sit in the lounge area, and I accidentally fell asleep on the extremely comfy sofas, until I was woken up about an hour later by a child telling me I wasn't allowed to sleep in there. They also had a good selection of videos, I helped the child pick out a film and put it on for him.
The hostel was within walking distance of everything I wanted to see in Ottawa, and I was able to cross the river over to Quebec.
As a budget traveller, I try to walk everywhere, even when carrying my backpack. I walked to this hostel from the bus station, which was quite a trek, but I found the hostel very easily.
I had just bought a new sleeping bag for a camping trip, so I decided to take it to Ottawa with me. However, I wasn't allowed to use it. This is fairly standard in hostels, as there are concerns about bugs and hygiene. However, you would think that seeing as they don't allow you to use your own bedding, they would provide it for free, but no, they charge you for it.
Facilities: kitchen, dining room, TV lounge, laundry, lockers.
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Chelsea Center (New York, USA)
by distorted_rage
We stayed in Chelsea international for a week during summer 2008. It was our first visit to New York, and as a result, we were slightly apprehensive about staying in hostels, as some have really bad reputations. Several hostels we tried to book were also full, so it is well worth booking a long way in advance if you want the hostel of ... your choice. However, I would personally heartily recommend Chelsea international. It is clean, accommodating and well located. Chelsea itself is an arty and vibrant district, with plenty of bars to fill your evenings with. It is about 20 minutes walk from Time Square, but the walk itself is a very pleasant one. The hostel is also located right across from a police station, so no need for those security concerns!
If your looking for budget accommodation, then this is the place to go. You should make sure that you are there for the free pizza night (check their website!), as this is - as it says on the tin - a great opportunity for a free meal! There was masses to go round - we had pizza for breakfast the following day, so if your into your student ways, then this can save you even more cash!
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