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Summary of reviewsGaslamp Hostel, located in the heart of San Diego's vibrant Gaslamp Quarter, is praised for its prime location that offers easy access to local nightlife, bars, restaurants and major attractions like the San Diego Convention Center. Guests appreciate the lively neighborhood and the cultural and entertainment blend, making it a perfect base for exploring the city.
The staff at Gaslamp Hostel is frequently lauded for their friendliness, politeness and helpfulness, ensuring a welcoming and pleasant stay. Personalized attention from staff and their eagerness to share local knowledge contribute significantly to the positive atmosphere. Exceptional individuals like the front desk team, including managers Megan and Denise, are often highlighted for their professionalism and warmth.
The hostel receives high marks for its cleanliness with guests noting immaculate conditions throughout the facility, including rooms, bathrooms and common areas. The décor and overall ambiance add to a cozy and comfortable stay, making it a top choice for travelers seeking a hygienic environment.
Despite the simplicity of the complimentary breakfast, it is generally appreciated for its convenience and suitability to kickstart the day. The breakfast, featuring items like cereal, milk, fruits, oatmeal and coffee, is a valued no-frills addition, though some guests suggest improvements for variety and quality.
Room accommodations, although generally small, are noted for their cleanliness and useful amenities like personal outlets, lights and small shelves. Privacy curtains in dorms and lockable lockers enhance the convenience for guests. Noise and occasional stuffiness due to small windows and dim lighting are mentioned, but the overall value for money remains commendable. The hostel's charming elements and comfortable beds are particularly appreciated by travelers.
Free WiFi is provided across the hostel, though its quality is inconsistent with stronger connections in common areas than in some dorms and bathrooms. Nonetheless, the availability of multiple outlets and charging facilities is a significant advantage.
The beds at Gaslamp Hostel are generally comfortable and equipped with conveniences like personal lights, USB ports and storage space. Despite the comfort, the bunk beds can be noisy, which might be disruptive for some guests.
As an adults-only establishment, Gaslamp Hostel creates a peaceful and suitable environment for mature travelers. The presence of female-only dorms is an advantage for women, though the lack of male-only dorms might not suit all male travelers.
Overall, Gaslamp Hostel is a popular choice due to its location, cleanliness, friendly staff and comfortable accommodations, offering great value and a lively atmosphere for those exploring San Diego. Show more
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Cheap Hostel
Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, this hostel provides budget-friendly accommodation in a vibrant downtown location. Its central position allows easy access to restaurants, nightlife, and attractions.
Hostel for Adults Only
3-Star Hostel
Room Types
Bed in 4-bed All-Gender Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory has air conditioning.
Standard Twin Room with Shared BathroomThis room includes complimentary towels, a small refrigerator, personal safe, ceiling fan, dressing table, makeup mirror and hairdryer.
Quadruple Room with Shared BathroomThis room includes complimentary towels, air-conditioning, lockers with outlets inside, ceiling fan, personal light, shelf and outlet.
Double RoomThe double room offers air conditioning, a seating area, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 1 bed.
Bed in 6-bed Female Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory has air conditioning.
Bed in 6-bed All-Gender Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory features air conditioning.
Double Room with Shared BathroomThe double room features air conditioning, a seating area, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. The double room provides a wardrobe, city views and chocolate. The unit has 1 bed.
6-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomThe dormitory room offers air conditioning, a carpeted floor, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. The dormitory room provides heating and city views. The unit has 6 beds.
Guest Reviews
Location
Set in the vibrant heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, Gaslamp Hostel boasts a prime location that makes it an ideal base for exploring the city. Enveloped by a lively neighborhood bustling with nightlife, bars and restaurants, the hostel provides a central and convenient hub for both day and nighttime activities. Proximity to the San Diego Convention Center, trolley stops and various public transportation options ensures guests can navigate the city with ease.
Visitors commend the hostel’s superb placement right in the thick of downtown San Diego. Whether attending events, savoring local cuisine or indulging in the city's dynamic nightlife, travelers find the accessibility and convenience second to none. The bustling vicinity is rich in character, featuring everything from historic streets to modern amenities, providing a seamless blend of culture and entertainment.
Guests appreciate the friendly and helpful staff, ensuring a pleasant stay amidst the vibrant atmosphere. The hostel itself is noted for its clean, comfortable accommodations and its welcoming vibes, making it a popular choice for solo travelers and groups alike. For those drawn to the San Diego nightlife, Gaslamp Hostel's location in the heart of the action is particularly advantageous, offering an unbeatable blend of excitement and convenience.
Breakfast
Guests at Gaslamp Hostel generally appreciate the inclusion of a complimentary breakfast, although many note its simplicity. The breakfast typically consists of items like cereal, milk, fruits, oatmeal and coffee. While some find it minimal or too basic, others describe it as suitable and sufficient to start the day. Despite the modest offerings, the convenience and the fact that it’s included in the stay garner positive remarks with some appreciating the self-service setup.
Some guests mentioned that the breakfast can be improved by adding more variety, such as gluten-free options or extending the availability times, especially for those with early commitments. The quality of the coffee, along with the overall variety, received mixed reviews.
Overall, while the breakfast might not be lavish, it is seen as a decent, no-frills addition that helps guests kickstart their morning.
Rooms
Gaslamp Hostel offers a range of room options tailored to various traveler needs. Though the rooms are generally small, they are described as clean and equipped with useful amenities. Each bed comes with a personal outlet, light and a small shelf, adding a layer of convenience for guests. Privacy is addressed with curtains and lockable lockers available in the dormitories.
A standout feature is the cleanliness with many reviews noting the spotless condition of rooms and common areas. However, there are some reports of occasional neglect and the need for more thorough cleaning in hidden spots. Lighting in the rooms, especially private ones, is frequently mentioned as too dim and many rooms lack windows, resulting in stuffy conditions and poor air circulation. On the upside, the rooms facing the back are quiet, despite the lack of natural light.
The hostel provides separate rooms with double beds and dormitory-style accommodations, including female-only dorms. Noise can be an issue, especially in dorms facing the street or common areas. Some rooms also suffer from insufficient warmth and ventilation and a few have issues with odors.
Despite these challenges, the hostel offers a comfortable stay with high beds that provide storage space underneath. Common areas and bathrooms are clean, functional and add to the overall comfort. There are also cozy elements throughout the hostel, including pleasant decor with plants and art.
Gaslamp Hostel appears to be a good value for the price, often compared favorably to other city hotels. It is especially noted for its charm, diverse guest profile and the comfort of its beds, making it a viable option for travelers seeking a clean and cozy place to stay in a vibrant area.
Beds
Gaslamp Hostel boasts beds that many guests find comfortable with some describing the overall sleeping experience as "super-comfortable" and "comfy." Each bed is thoughtfully equipped with a personal light, USB ports, a small shelf and sufficient height to accommodate storage underneath, enhancing both convenience and functionality during the stay.
However, the hostel's bunk beds have been a point of contention for some visitors. Despite their comfort, the beds tend to be quite noisy, often creaking or squeaking with every movement. This can be disruptive for light sleepers or those sharing a room. There are curtains for privacy around the bunk beds, although some guests noted a preference for more substantial privacy measures.
While the beds are generally comfortable, there are mixed reviews regarding their size and firmness. Some found the beds to be too small or too firm and there were occasional comments about mattresses being thin or not particularly great. The hostel does provide linens, though there were isolated complaints about needing to make beds upon arrival or encountering stained sheets.
In summary, Gaslamp Hostel offers a comfortable and well-equipped sleeping environment, though potential guests should be prepared for some noise from the beds and varying levels of comfort depending on personal preference.
Cleanliness
Gaslamp Hostel receives overwhelming praise for its exceptional cleanliness. Guests frequently highlight the immaculate state of the entire facility, from spotless rooms and bathrooms to pristine common areas and kitchen. The hostel maintains a consistent cleaning schedule, ensuring that everything is kept fresh and orderly. Visitors appreciate the clean sheets, towels and well-maintained amenities, noting that the bathrooms are particularly well-kept, despite occasional minor inconveniences such as small spaces and a lingering smell.
The cleanliness extends to the overall appearance of the hostel, which includes tidy corridors and regularly cleaned carpets. Some visitors have described the hostel as one of the cleanest they've ever stayed in, lauding it for its well-organized and sanitized environment. The decor is also a point of interest, adding to the hostel's appeal by creating a cozy and comfortable atmosphere.
Guests also mention the friendly and helpful staff who contribute to the overall positive experience, ensuring that the hostel remains a clean and welcoming place to stay. Various facilities, including the bathrooms and shower areas, are noted to be cleaned regularly and efficiently, fostering a sense of confidence among visitors.
In summary, Gaslamp Hostel stands out for its spectacular cleanliness, making it a top choice for travelers seeking a hygienic and comfortable place to stay.
Staff
Gaslamp Hostel offers an exceptional experience largely credited to its remarkable staff. Guests consistently highlight the friendliness, politeness and helpfulness of the staff, creating a welcoming and vibrant environment. The personnel, described as attentive, accommodating and responsive, go out of their way to assist guests, ensuring a comfortable and pleasant stay. Reviews frequently mention personalized attention from staff members, who are always ready with local knowledge and willing to share the best places to visit.
The front desk team, including managers like Megan and Denise, are often singled out for their professionalism and geniality. Whether it's handling maintenance issues promptly organizing engaging activities like sunset tours and karaoke nights or offering flexible accommodations for late arrivals and early departures, this hostel's crew excels in service. Despite a few isolated mentions of unfriendliness, the overwhelming sentiment is one of warmth and exceptional hospitality.
Overall, Gaslamp Hostel's staff contributes significantly to the hostel's positive atmosphere, making it a memorable stay for many travelers.
Wi-Fi
Gaslamp Hostel provides free WiFi, which is a significant advantage for guests. However, the WiFi quality and coverage appear to be inconsistent throughout the property. Many guests experienced reliable and fast internet in common areas with some even mentioning that it was good enough for video calls and work-related tasks. Unfortunately, the WiFi often fell short in the rooms with several guests reporting no signal or very weak connections inside their dorms and bathrooms. While the hostel offers convenient features like multiple outlets and lockers with built-in charging facilities, the inconsistent WiFi coverage can be a concern for guests relying on a stable internet connection. Despite these issues, the free WiFi remains a valued amenity for many.
Adult Only
Gaslamp Hostel is an adults-only accommodation that creates a peaceful and safe environment for its guests. While it naturally involves sharing dorm rooms and bathrooms—a common aspect of hostel living—the hostel manages to cater to adults looking for a mature atmosphere. The hostel features female-only dorms, appealing to women seeking a shared space without mixed company. However, male-only dorms are not available, which may not suit all male travelers. It strikes a balance by attracting a diverse age range of adults and offers a lively atmosphere, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a vibrant social scene. Overall, the adult-oriented focus makes Gaslamp Hostel a suitable option for individuals seeking a mature and spirited place to stay.
No, Gaslamp Hostel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Gaslamp Hostel.
No, Gaslamp Hostel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Gaslamp Hostel.