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Please see Boulder for other available Boulder hostels and accommodations.
Please see Boulder for other available Boulder hostels and accommodations.
The Hostelz.com Review
Located on the hip University Hill area, Boulder International Hostel is surrounded by frat houses and budget lodging. This means cheap food and drinks, lots of trendy bars, and discounted prices. The hostel sits a block away from the main strip and you have easy access to everything you could ever need. Many of the facilities are better than anything you will find in Denver and it's worth the drive.
The rooms are clean and kept warm (unlike some other hostels that skimp on heating). But if you don't have your own blankets, you'll be charged extra. In winter you'll also notice the occasional growling noises from the heating system (similar to many hostels in New York if you've stayed there before). The cooking facilities are awesome too, with ample space for self-catering. If you want to use the laundry, you'll need to put money on a prepaid card (plus deposit), which is a bit of hassle but worth the effort when you don't have to share a washer/dryer.
There is a sole TV (no cable) downstairs in the lounge room but don't expect a party atmosphere. The hostel forbids alcohol on the premises and discourages loud behaviour. This is no problem anyway when you can party hard one block away -- just don't forget the door code when you arrive back late!
The biggest downside is the lockout that occurs daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Lookouts are always an annoyance, but there's no reason to kick everyone out so early (checkout is also at 10 a.m.). If you wanted to enjoy the nightlife in the area, it isn't much fun to be forced out of bed early the next morning. And the lockout goes unusually late in the day. They also try to charge guests for wireless internet, even though it costs them virtually nothing to provide the service, but there are plenty of coffee shops around with free wifi.
The hostel is very easy to find -- just head towards University Avenue as you arrive from Denver. Late arrivals beware -- the office shuts at 11 p.m. and you won't be able to check in after that.
The rooms are clean and kept warm (unlike some other hostels that skimp on heating). But if you don't have your own blankets, you'll be charged extra. In winter you'll also notice the occasional growling noises from the heating system (similar to many hostels in New York if you've stayed there before). The cooking facilities are awesome too, with ample space for self-catering. If you want to use the laundry, you'll need to put money on a prepaid card (plus deposit), which is a bit of hassle but worth the effort when you don't have to share a washer/dryer.
There is a sole TV (no cable) downstairs in the lounge room but don't expect a party atmosphere. The hostel forbids alcohol on the premises and discourages loud behaviour. This is no problem anyway when you can party hard one block away -- just don't forget the door code when you arrive back late!
The biggest downside is the lockout that occurs daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Lookouts are always an annoyance, but there's no reason to kick everyone out so early (checkout is also at 10 a.m.). If you wanted to enjoy the nightlife in the area, it isn't much fun to be forced out of bed early the next morning. And the lockout goes unusually late in the day. They also try to charge guests for wireless internet, even though it costs them virtually nothing to provide the service, but there are plenty of coffee shops around with free wifi.
The hostel is very easy to find -- just head towards University Avenue as you arrive from Denver. Late arrivals beware -- the office shuts at 11 p.m. and you won't be able to check in after that.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
December 2006
Their Description
Boulder International Hostel Details
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Map
Location/Contact| Address | 1107 12th Street, Boulder, Colorado, USA |
| Website | www.boulderhostel.com |
| Telephone | +1 (303) 442-0522 |
| Fax | +1 (303) 442-0523 |
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
BEDBUGS The office closes at 10 PM. Wouldn't you know it, I found and caught a bed bug at 1 AM. And of course, there's no late number, so all I could do is leave a message and send an email. This is happening right now, 19 APR 2012. I'm now sitting up, unable to go to sleep, totally creeped out, and I know I'm going to have to wash EVERYTHING in the morning, to include vacuuming out my pack. It would at least be a saving grace if there were somebody who could deal with this right now, but instead, I have to wait out the night. NEVER GO TO THIS HOSTEL. — Anonymous , USA (2012-04-19) Much Better than the Denver Hostels Which is not saying much. The dorm costs $34, including sheet rental. Which is an obvious ripoff. The private room is $49, sheets and towels included. I opted for the latter. The room was small, but clean. I also checked out the male dorm room, which was packed and dirty. They also have an all day lockout, if staying in the dorms. I was told they have weekly rates, on the private rooms, for about $200, which is a good deal. The kitchen, bath and common areas, were all well maintained. The hostel is centrally located. I easily met other travelers, who were up for exploring the nightlife. The express bus to Denver stops a few blocks away. Overall, I thought the hostel takes advantage of the fact, that they're the only budget game in town. I went to Boulder to have a good time. I guess I got what I payed for. — Jack Zoff , Chicago, USA (2010-08-21) Ok for a night, not a flop house I stayed in a dorm here for a night in June, 2009, after visiting Golden. Hostel was ok. Room was decent and seemed clean, kitchen was far from women's sleeping area. Coffee was free in the morning. The managers said they make sure that this hostel does not become a flop house by keeping long-term guests in a different part of the hostel altogether. The only problem I found was that I arrived around 7 in the evening, without a car, and everything in the hostel's neighborhood was closed already, so I chilled at Starbuck's without wireless, because I was too tired to walk down the long hill to the other shops! — Jennifer , USA (2009-07-16) Much more than I expected. We rented a private room for the three of us, and it was well worth the $20 apiece per night. They provided sheets, warm blankets, even towels. As a super added bonus, they remodeled the bathrooms and opened them the day before we got here. Very nice. Two shower stalls, three toilet, and a full bath as well. The women's has a long vanity counter complete with chairs. The staff were all warm and welcoming, and though they could use more parking, we had pretty good luck. Drawbacks -- no clothing hooks in the showers. Yep, that's all we could come up with. — Bri , USA (2009-06-05) Had a great time! My boyfriend and I stayed in Boulder for a little less than a week in August of 2008. We almost weren't able to make the trip because we weren't able to find a hotel that was in our price range, until a friend who goes to school there recommended the hostel. We quickly made our reservations for a private room and were on our way! We arrived a little early, and our reserved room wasn't ready but the lady at the front desk could see we were exhausted and let us have a room that was already cleaned. The room was cozy, we made good use of the kitchen, and the bathrooms were adequate for showering and such. We met a lot of interesting people from all over the world and the U.S. who were staying there, and spent a few nights sitting outside for a few hours talking and having fun. I highly recommend this hostel! We didn't have to take a bus once -- we were able to walk to everything we wanted to see (aside from the Celestial Seasonings factory). Great experience overall, we're considering staying there for a few weeks when we move out there until we find a permanent place to live. — Hannah , United States - Chicago Area (2009-01-20) Haunted I stayed at the Thirteenth street location and I tell you this place is haunted. The door to the bathroom continuously opened and closed on its own, several times I heard footsteps in the room although I was there alone, there was an overall depressing feeling and I felt watched pretty much all the time I was in there. I stayed there for four weeks, in town for a training session, and eventually met a few of the "long-term" residents, who said the person who stayed in the room before me was a drug-addicted, suicidal schizophrenic who disappeared a few months before I stayed there, and that the room hadn't been rented out again until my arrival. — Lee (2007-12-10) Find another place to stay Stayed half night in June 2007. Staff not very helpful. We were not able to get useful directions from the desk staff and found the place by accident. Warning -- the locals also think of College ave. as 12th street. We found shower stalls so mildewed that we did not shower and a private room so smelly that we left at 4 in the morning. We were not able to sleep due to the smell. When I realized that I would be leaving early before the desk open I got my key deposit back that evening (thanks to a hint from someone on this site). I was aggressively flirted with by a guest walking around in the commons area with only a small towel around his waist. His excuse was that he was doing his laundry. I met him again later in the hallway by the ladies showers, didn't feel safe to go in. — Anonymous , USA (2007-10-24) Ok hostel There are a lot of fraternity houses nearby, so I guess the hostel is located in student area which is good, I guess. There is street parking and also parking at the back of the hostel (ask for permit). The hostel is clean and I found the staff to be friendly and helpful. Pearl street (mini promenade) is located ten to fifteen minutes' walking distance. The bed wasn't that comfortable but that happens.
You have to pay extra for the linen but I used my sleeping bag which was fine by the guy in the reception. The laundry room, kitchen, and restrooms were clean.
The only annoying thing is that many places have this timer for the light. — Jonathan , USA (2007-05-28) Boulder is a fun and safe place. A much better way to explore the Denver area than any of the Denver hostels. I stayed in a private room for $40. The dorms are $20 and crowded, with an all-day lockout. This place deserves three stars for safety, location, and value. My room is bare and cell-like with a bed and desk. The staff are friendly and there's a door code for the front door if you want to check out the local bars. I recommend a place called the Sink, which is right down the street. If you're looking to relocate to Boulder, I was told that they offer weekly rates on the private rooms at several locations. — Josh , USA (2007-04-24) I stayed in a private room. It was cheap, clean, and quiet. I had no problems! The bathrooms were clean enough, but the price was great. The front staff is very nice, and very helpful. I would highly recommend this place for a cheap and clean place to stay! — R & Z , Dallas (2007-04-08) I stayed here in September for a night. It was a nice place to stay. There was a friendly person at the desk and even free snacks in the morning. The bathroom was a little strange but the shower and stalls were fine. The room had two beds and a desk. It wasn't noisy when we stayed and i didn't feel unsafe at all. I would stay here again if i needed too. — L? (2006-12-04) This hostel was pretty good. I stayed in a private room, which was fine for the money I paid. Don't expect a posh hotel experience and you won't be disappointed. It was pretty noisy at night. It is located in the college district, so there are lots of partying young people staying up late, coming in drunk. There was also this weird noise coming from the pipes all night. It sounded like someone was hammering on the pipes. This happened all night long, on both nights. Bring some earplugs, but otherwise, it was fine. — world traveler (2006-11-07) The staff was very nice. There was plenty of hot water in the shower. The bathrooms were clean and newly painted. — steve (2006-05-13) I stayed here back in January. Fortunately, I rented a private room and didn't have to deal with any weirdoes directly. On the plus side they let me check in at 9 a.m. I had arrived in Denver very early on Amtrak and was exhausted. The girl at the front desk was friendly and the room, though void of a TV or anything other than a bed or dresser, was ok for $35. The kitchen was awful; the sink was full of dishes,
The oven didn't work, and there were plenty of knives but no spoons or forks and an old disgusting sponge on top of the dish pile. The bathrooms were fairly clean, but the water pressure in the shower was nonexistent. There seemed to be a lot of people with mental health issues staying in the dorms, even though they have a sign posted that there is a 3-day limit and no Colorado residents. Sadly, this place is your best option if in the Denver area. Both established Denver hostels are really flophouses in dangerous neighborhoods. The Boulder hostel is at least in a nice area, close to the express bus to Denver and near the University and the good bars and coffeehouses. — Mike Jones (2005-10-26) PLEASE SAVE HOSTELING. Hostels are all turning into expensive flophouses for psychiatric patients, alcoholics, drug addicts, prostitutes, and becoming shooting galleries (meaning a place for people using needles for drug usage). And they are an expensive place for the homeless to live.
First, the location is great! Denver is fun, and Boulder is beautiful and doesn't really have a bad side of town, UNTIL...
I found the Boulder International Hostel to be riddled with psychiatric patients. Also living there are drug addicts (needle users), prostitutes and alcoholics. Seemingly, there is daily fighting amongst the tenants, and of course feces smeared on the walls of the tenants' rooms. And we won't talk about the odor there, and overall uncleanness of the place and the tenants, except the smell was bad. The most disturbing part was the under age drinking and other illicit drugs that were being bought and sold. Middle of the night drunks kicking down doors. As well as meth, whatever that is, being sold.
And do not post your place of business as a hostel when you are going to fill it up with criminals. It a family thing, traveling that is. There must be hostel guidelines. If there aren't they should start some. It is unfair to travelers looking up hostels who are not looking for drug-infested whorehouses. If you are going to rent to the drug addicts and alcoholics, list as such.
Hosteling used to be a place for budget travel, a place for young adults, traveling for educational purposes, to go and meet people all over the world. College students, learning about the world, and yes, I think that is so important, because if we never travel, we become ignorant.
It saddens me to see that the Denver Hostel and the Boulder Hostel have changed the new meaning of hosteling. Both hostels are owned by the same family. I believe I heard the owners were brothers.
What is even more sad is that travelers cannot safely stay at these two hostels. That is how it is now.
Boulder has a million-dollar-plus facility, which is cleaner and much nicer than the hostel, for local residence. And they won't charge you $150 a week or whatever price they are charging for rooms at the hostel, which seems to change from person to person.
The reason I took time to post this: I hope the owners will clean up their act up and not just fill the rooms up with anything. I wonder if the owners ever thought that if they quit renting to NON-TRAVELERS, maybe the travelers would start coming back because they have a good reputation. Just a thought.
HAPPY HOSTELING. — Eye Saw (2005-10-05)