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  5. Reviews of HI San Diego Downtown Hostel

Reviews of HI San Diego Downtown Hostel This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!

521 Market Street, Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA 92101, United States of America

#98 of 239 hotels in San Diego

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 733 hostel reviews

8.1

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.2

  • Comfort

    8.1

  • Location

    9.2

  • Facilities

    8.3

  • Staff

    8.9

  • Value for money

    8.2

  • Free WiFi

    9.0

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: March 11, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Family with young children
    • Private Double Room Ensuite
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing

    Venue

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 9, 2024

    8.0
    Great staff, nice price for the central location
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Private Double Room Ensuite
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Honestly, location was a mixed bag for us as we weren't in town to party in the Gaslamp.

    The staff were amazing. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. We were pleasantly surprised to be told our room was ready when we arrived well before normal check in (we had planned to store our bags until check in). The rooms were clean and comfortable. We ended up moving rooms several times during our 5 day stay (once due to a repair needed for the toilet, once due to street noise in the teplacement room). All three rooms were nice, but there was quite a range in the size of the rooms and bathrooms. Location can't be beat if you want to be in the Gaslamp and there are many options for using San Diego transit nearby.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: March 6, 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Private Quad Room Ensuite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There are no stairs but only elevator

    The location is excellent, room clean and the chance to get a private one. Staff very kind

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: February 26, 2024

    7.0
    Great stay for the price
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in Men's 4-Bed Dormitory
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Parking was difficult but manageable. The room I stayed in was very hot and sometimes uncomfortable to sleep in.

    Very simple, very convenient

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: February 21, 2024

    8.0
    Perfect stopover in Gaslamp for a night out
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Private Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Not something I disliked but just a disclaimer for people used to hostels in Europe. Much more older people stay in hostels in America as hotels are expensive.

    The location is central gaslamp quarter. I would definitely choose this place to stay if I am with friends and wanting to go out in gaslamp quarter because of how convenient the location is. However if you want a calm night, simply don’t stay in gaslamp quarter altogether. The hostel in itself is really calm, but the streets sounds (musics, people’s voices) can be heard from the rooms. The room was clean and quite nice, there is a free breakfast, the girl at the reception was nice, the common areas are clean!

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: February 15, 2024

    8.0
    Thank you Mandalyn for welcoming me in the rain and making sure I got a shower when I arrived and dry clothes; Marei tha
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in Men's 8-Bed Dormitory
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The front desk staff was great for most part. They moved me from my noisy 8 person dorm facing the noisy street to an inside room on the other side that was much quieter but kitchen staff was not very helpful. I needed dry measuring cups to measure my oatmeal and rice and they would not help me or show me where they were at and sad they didn’t have any. Later another guest who had stayed there before showed me where to find them.

    Convenience and value

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: February 11, 2024

    9.0
    This hostel feels more a like a hotel…in a good way!
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Private Double Room Ensuite
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I think there could have been a bit more temperature control in the room. I was cold the whole time. But honestly, I was pleasantly surprised with the property amenities and sleeping quarters.

    The property location was incredible! It’s tucked away on busy Market street and you almost don’t even notice it’s there. But once you head upstairs it’s lively and full of really kind people and staff.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: February 1, 2024

    9.0
    Happy stay close to the centre
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in Men's 8-Bed Dormitory
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The hostel is in a pretty loud spot for nightlife, which can be great but if you are a light sleeper it could be hard. They give earplugs tho and that was enough for me. It was a bit pricey compared to some other hostels. There were no privacy curtains or anything but I think this is very normal for a US hostel.

    The location is great for nightlife! The hostel is massive and there is a pool table and arcade machines. The showers are warm and nice. They have an indicator light to help you keep your water usage down! Very eco! There is a coin op laundry. I needed to check in at 2am and they did it for me with no issues. Accessible by public transport.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: February 1, 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Private Quad Room Ensuite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    We found hair in the shower right when we arrived. The room is very basic as well as the bathroom. At night it can be quite loud due to the fact it’s right on the street and the walls are not greatly isolated. If you have our misfortune to have very loud guests as neighbors then you might have a hard time to sleep.

    Very good position and practical to reach many attractions also with public transports. Staff was kind

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: January 30, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Private Double Room Ensuite
    • Stayed 6 nights

    My favourite part was the Gaslamp Quarter location, which in addition to the local breweries, restaurants and bars, also made Balboa Park, Embarcadero, North Park and Chicano Park within walking distance. The staff was friendly and the room was clean. Free coffee, orange juice and bananas in the morning were welcomed.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: January 23, 2024

    7.0
    If you want to party, this is your Hostel
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in Women's 8-Bed Dormitory
    • Stayed 1 night

    There are plenty of comments about the street noise, the overpricing of the area and to add mine, it was not the best vibe neither at the bars, nor with the other roommates. The room seemed to have only one light not that many plugs for phones. It took me like forever to find a street parking spot and it was many blocks away from the hostel, but I wanted to save the rate of the private parking lots.

    It has a good location, breakfast included, big locker for all luggage and spacious room.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: January 19, 2024

    7.0
    Nice location, good for solo travel
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in Men's 8-Bed Dormitory
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Lockers in room , need to pay additional 6$

    Location

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: January 17, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in Men's 8-Bed Dormitory
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Best way to Stay in San Diego with lot of fun

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: January 16, 2024

    7.0
    Clean place
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Private Double Room Ensuite
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Breakfast was so limited. It should be specified.

    Very clean and well located.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: January 9, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Private Double Room
    • Stayed 5 nights

    The noise from the street at night

    Great location

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: January 7, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Private Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The noise that comes from the street. It’s hard to sleep.

    The amenities and the staff.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: January 2, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Private Double Room Ensuite
    • Stayed 1 night

    I have to say that I had no issues. Parking garage was close by so once the car was parked we easily got to restaurants and the venue we were there to go to!

    The room had a great view of the street below, and city, easy access to the street and so close to the gates of Petco Stadium. The staff was friendly and helpful to my daughter and myself cannot wait to visit again!

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: January 1, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Private Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Though the air-conditioning it was quite loud in the room.

    Clean room. Breakfast for free and a super central location.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: December 19, 2023

    7.0
    I like a free breakfast
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in Women's 4-Bed Dormitory
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Good hostel

    Good hostel

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: December 17, 2023

    9.0
    Great location, staff and rooms; disappointing breakfast
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in Women's 6-Bed Dormitory
    • Stayed 5 nights

    The included breakfast could have been more varied. During my stay, there was a group of travelers who would take almost half the tables in the dining room and rush crazy at the opening time of breakfast, which would cause other travelers to stress and rush.

    Great location at the Gaslamp Quarter, friendly staff, safe security system, clean rooms, good ratio of dormitories / rooms vs bathrooms

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: December 14, 2023

    8.0
    very comfortable...
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Private Double Room
    • Stayed 4 nights

    I liked the bananas and tea

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: December 11, 2023

    8.0
    It is a comfortable stay for a homeless person.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in Women's 8-Bed Dormitory
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I have lived up to 14 days this year at this hostel.

    I like the comfortable TV room and 24 hour coffee and drinking water.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: December 8, 2023

    8.0
    It is a good hostel for its service.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in Women's 6-Bed Dormitory
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I could stay there no more than 14 days.

    The breakfast was good. I like the TV room for its comfort.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: November 22, 2023

    8.0
    I would stay there again but would ask for a room off 5th street
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in Men's 8-Bed Dormitory
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Everything was fine except the noise level on 5th street. My room was right on the corner. I’m a little older now but if I was still partying this would be my location.

    I really enjoyed my stay here. Great staff. Comfortable bed. Plenty of things there to keep you busy.

    Stayed in October 2023

Showing 1 - 25

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