Boston Homestel

I've stayed at a lot of hostels. This place is pretty decent. Not in city center, but close enough to the T red line. OVerall rooms were pretty average for a hostel. Nice bonus was two kitchen areas, but down side is nowhere to really sit and relax. Where they get docked a star is in the overly strutured and strict rules, with notes that people will be charged if they check in late or forget the door code, fees for stained sheets, parking charge, etc. Not as laid back as most hostels I've stayed at. On the flip side, staff were really good - very friendly and they do turn the rooms over and do laundry and clean up the bathrooms and common area. So they win a star back for that.

The place was cold, the staff non communicative. We were about check in instruction but no one ever answered. We arrived without any check-in instructions so there was confusion for the first twenty minutes as we waited or the rain. Staff members would be in the same room with you and not even identify themselves as someone who could help. We left dinner important items and contacted them about coming by for them and they never one acknowledged or communication.

Awsome. If you are just visiting Boston you will want to stay more. I come here every winter and this time because this homestal I would like to stay 3 months at least. But I had to go back to Brazil and I'll be back in spring. Hope there's a room for me. The owner is so nice and everything works better than I expected. Gentle people and friendly. I feel like in my home. Much better than hotel. Clean, big private room in first floor. Doors have codes. Very secure. Street silent and T Station in 2 blocks. No need car here. Big Mall near with all famous stores, that you can go by feet or bike. Very satisfied and greatfull. 2 baths always available. Marcos Oliveira

The worst hostel in my live Bathroom is not clean and requires repair The space in a room for 6! Beds is so small - you could not even turn around or open your suitcase No space to store you suff like locker or smth Bunk bed is not stable, so every turns yours or your roomy you will feel 🤷‍♀️ Bad mattresses Pros - friendly staff No cockroach Cheap

I have actually stayed here as both a working volunteer (2 months) and later as a guest (1 month) when I unexpectedly found myself back in Boston last minute. Had other rental prices not been in the thousands (I was simultaneously starting a business at 25 and wanted to spare the cash), I’d have never stayed here as a paying guest. Facilities are super run down, staff doesn’t clean properly (we did when I worked here, that’s why it was so shocking to see returning as a guest a year later), the place is freezing (the owner, Joe, is a big corner cutter), and there are fines for EVERYTHING. So embarrassing to have to enforce these as a volunteer with the owner nowhere to be found, by the way. Left this place in Feb 2023 and was trying to be kind by not leaving a review at all. However, it’s now October 2023 and after building that Feb startup into a successful hospitality business, I now realize just how poor this property, management, and guest experience really is, and remembered something that I’d want to be aware of if I was about to spend my hard earned dollars somewhere. Anyways, the place is gross, right? So, when I asked Joe when the bathroom would be cleaned (it was going on a week and the grime was nuts), Maria (head staff) apparently got so offended that Joe literally threatened to kick me out of the house on the spot. Like I said, I worked for this man for FREE (and did a stellar job), have a crystal clean background, caused zero issues, paid in full and on time, had zero guests, cleaned up after myself, and by all measures was the IDEAL guest (Joe doesn’t background check at all and has housed literal addicts, bigots, and sociopaths, which we all witnessed firsthand), but threatened to evict ME LMAOOOOO. In hindsight I only wish I hadn’t groveled to stay and just left and written this review sooner. Pros are the decent location (by the red line to get into the city, the vietnamese place (Ba Le!) on the main road, and the lasting friendships I made with the other staff, as we were all so shellshocked working there that we ended up bonding over the lunacy of it all. Still, the prices are wayyyyy too high to deal with this nonsense. If you’re on a budget, I get it—go stay at the Hi in Chinatown, at least you’ll be IN boston surrounded by good food, bars, and likeminded travelers and away from whatever the hell this was. Good luck, my friends!!

I stayed here for one night 2 weeks ago while I had an overnight layover. Getting to/from the hostel from Logan Airport was surprisingly easy. Also the hostel is located in what seemed like an okay neighborhood. As for the hostel itself, check in was a bit informal but was quick. My room was spacious and the bunk beds were comfy enough. I'd definitely stay here again and recommend it.