Simkins Bed & Breakfast & Hostel

Terrible
The rudest and the most terrible receptionist in the world! Didn't want to help and acted like freak.

The best man of washintgton dc
i stayed three nights in this hostel and it was totally good! you just have to speak few minutes with the receptionist to understand that he's a really nice guy. He gave me free maps and every recommendations that i needed. In this hostel, internet is free and some food as well! I had the feeling to be at home. In conclusion, i recommend this hostel for every traveler around washington DC.

Didn't stay -- receptionist was rude when i called
The man that answered the call was at beginning rude and unwelcoming. He made sure to say "no, we are not a Hostel, we are much nicer than one." Then asked over and over my nationality and demanded that i bring my passport. enough i had heard -- wasn't interested in staying here.

Cool, Fantastic, Homey
I got to Simkins Hostel with some reservation, especially when I learned that conveniences would be shared in a dormitory fashion. My series of pleasant surprises begun with the man who encountered me from the doorway. Though businesslike and firm, he was friendly and quite intelligible without any air particularly in his English delivery. The second surprise was his announcement when taking me round, that I could help myself to some food items in the kitchen at the Hostel's expense and I could take fruits from the fridge. Above all, I was impressed and happy when Greg's man told me that I have a twenty-four-hour access to the computer with Internet facility free. Whenever I travel, one of the major determinants of where I would stay is availability of or nearness to Internet access because of the nature of my job -- as a journalist and writer, I constantly need to be in communication. Equally importantly, the people there are so friendly. It is international in nature with a lot of courteousness. To sum up, Simkins was such a home from home that I extended my stay. I'll always like to come back -- and to recommend it.

I called them up to inquire about reservations but the receptionist who picked up the phone was the rudest I have encountered in my life. He made no attempts in explaining whether there was any availability (had directed me to call Capital City Hostel instead), and told me that I was being very difficult. It seems that DC has so many backpackers that the hostel management can afford to be downright rude and not helpful.