HI - Philadelphia, Apple Hostel

The best hostel I have ever stayed in
How to start. It wasn't far from bus station, we just simply walked there. The hostel is in an small aisle, which wasn't stinking and it was homeless people free. Inside the hostel is really nice, everything in green and orange color. Check-in was fine, discount for ISIC holders and members of HI. Right next to reception desk are very good apples for free. Because we had mixed dorm which was on the third floor, we didn't take our big luggage to the room, we just left it in the luggage storage, very good idea, you can even store your luggage there after check-out till 8 p.m. The room was really nice, clean, air conditioning working, bathroom also clean. Only one problem was that the beds were little bit squeaking. Kitchen was also very nice and clean; two fridges; tables and chairs to eat; enough dishes, plates, and cutlery for everybody; phone. In such a kitchen everybody tried to keep it clean and organized. I liked the map where people could put pin from the place where they come from and also glue coin from their country. Next nice part is lounge with TV, where they have plenty of DVD movies, you can actually borrow them and watch on your own notebook. Tuesday TV night with free wine and cheese was very nice idea, just too many people there. Also you can find there plenty of bulletins and tips for trips and places to visit in Philadelphia. We were there just two days so we didn't try tours with guide from hostel or visiting bar, but I am sure it must be as good as all what is going on in this hostel. And finally the staff was so nice, very helpful, the CEO dog Mike was also very cute. So it was really comfortable and enjoyable staying for maybe little be higher price, but it worth it.

Unsafe surroundings and rude staff
I would definitely not recommend this hostel. First, you will have a hard time finding it, and when you do, you will wish you hadn't. It is down a very smelly alleyway across from a seedy nightclub. The street was full of drunks looking for a handout -- definitely not a place you would want to be walking around in at night. Secondly, they only honor the reservations made on the website if you are a student. If you aren't a student, you don't fit their "target clientele." I made a reservation, and they demanded a passport, even though I am a U.S. citizen with a valid U.S. driver's license. I could produce all sorts of ID with that, but not the required student ID card -- which, consequently, I could have faked very easily. In addition, they produced a list of alternative hotels, all with the wrong prices -- the hotels I spoke to were astonished as their prices have never been as low as published. In the end, the objective was to get the person/people (there were others who were trying to get rooms, too, and were turned away -- but no one was offered my now vacant bed?) out of there as soon as possible. The staff were rude and did not even speak English well. Their "rules" about IDs, which they said could be found on their website, were not there. In fact, in lieu of a membership card, they advise that you can pay an additional fee. That didn't get me a bed for the night, though. I am a teacher, and I have traveled all over the world and stayed in hostels everywhere I have gone -- except in my own country. Time for Apple Hostels to move on, I say. Stay here at your own risk -- you may find yourself scrambling for a place to sleep in a city where hotel accommodations are at a premium!