Hayarkon 48 Hostel

Awesome
I loved this hostel. I visited three of the hostels in TA and this one was by far my favorite. I stayed here throughout the summer of 2006 and I met some awesome characters here. There really is no security but I never had a problem with that. The beer sold in the hostel is way over priced but I spent many awesome nights playing pool at the pool table.

Israeli Hostel with No-Israelis policy
First of all, I never got beyond the reception desk of this hostel. I'm a Jerusalem resident and was visiting Tel-Aviv for a day. Obviously I didn't have a foreign passport on me but only my regular Israeli ID (Teudat Zehut). Because Hayarkon hostel's house policy doesn't allow Israelis in the dorms, I couldn't get a dorm bed but was offered only a single room for 350 shekels a night (air-conditioned dorm was 95 shekels). The reception clerk even asked me if I had a foreign passport on me, so he could check me in with that. It didn't matter to him if I'm a permanent resident/citizen or not as long as I would comfort his feelings with a foreign identification. Just what the hell is this policy good for? Sure it keeps local criminals out but it's not like all Israelis are criminals and all foreigners are not. Perhaps the hostel owners think that Israelis who are not from Tel-Aviv are all willing to pay crazy amounts of money for a night in a random beach hostel. But I doubt that this is the case. If you're traveling with an Israeli ID avoid this place. Pick one out of a dozen other hostels in the area. They might look like sh*t holes sometimes but at least they'll let you in.

I lived here and loved every minute of it
I stayed here for a few nights in 2005 and was so impressed that when I came back in 2006/2007, I ended up living in the dorms for two months. The prices are a bit higher than the other hostels in the area, but totally worth it for what you get. Reception is also a bar where you can just chill and chat and have a few beers, there is a huge kitchen with two fridges so you can easily cook your own food. There is a flat screen TV with satellite and a pool table in the common room, three computers, and a "library" shelf. The private rooms are really fantastic, I've stayed in a few of them, and it's totally worth the extra few bucks for a real bed, your own TV, bathroom, and AC. The dorms are pretty good, as can be expected in any hostel, they can get noisy depending on who the occupants are. The bathrooms are clean for the most part, and there are four showers on each floor and they are each in their own little room with a proper locking door, sink, and mirror for shaving. This is the best part of the hostel. Some places I've been too, I feel cleaner not showering because the showers are so dirty, or there's the privacy issue. The staff are really sweet and helpful, the beach is only a block away, there are tons of bars and clubs within walking distance, and if you need to take a cab somewhere, they have a discount deal with one of the cab companies so they'll get you the best price. The area isn't necessarily great but it's not bad either, I never felt uncomfortable walking alone. There is a pizza place around the corner that serves the best pizza in the world, there's also a twenty-four-hour convenience store around the corner that sells just about everything. There is also a rooftop terrace that overlooks the Mediterranean which is great for chilling at night, apparently in the summer you can get beds up there too, although I've never done it. They have big lockers that you can rent for 12 shekels a day, and they have a number of safes behind the twenty-four-hour reception if you want to store small things (cash, passport, maybe a small laptop), but in the two months I stayed, I never had anything stolen from me, including toiletries, clothes, electronics, and I didnt even feel the need to lock up my bags. Anyways, I highly recommend this place. It's awesome.

Awful
it's by far the worst hostel i've ever stayed in! you're letting your time in tel aviv and the fact it's in a good location -- i mean right next to the beach -- delude you. all hostels are in this location! the staff were incredibly rude and i found there to be a huge problem with theft -- stuff in the dorms, but even in lockers, which were all broken into! And to top it off it's really expensive in comparison to all the other hostels in this area. you can stay in a hotel with your own room and en-suite for the price of an air-conditioned room here with a locker! my advice -- Don't stay here.

I was here in early May. Just a couple of blocks to the beach. Lots of food and clubs in the area. Well-designed hostel, and well-run. Bathrooms and large showers are individual and there's never a line. Good hot water. Kitchen and toilets and showers are kept sparkling. Internet access and bar in reception area, TV, and dining and lockers. Many of the rooms connect to a balcony. The road in front is busy, noisy, but that's urban life.

This hostel was awesome! Everyone was friendly and helpful. The location was unbelievable! After a whole night of partying and coming in at 6 am, you dont have to worry about a long walk to the beach when u wake up! Just drag your hungover self across the street and plop down on a lounge chair and fall asleep! It was ideal. It was also a few blocks from sheiken street, the best shopping ever, and very close to all the good flee markets! I will never stay anywhere else when I go back to Tel-Aviv. Staying at this place was the best decision I made! I cant wait to go back! STAY HERE!!

This is an excellent hostel. The intifada caused the closure of quite a few of Tel Aviv's hostels and now there's not so much choice. This really is the only one to stay in when in Tel Aviv. The others at the lower end are really bad. This place is very clean, well priced, excellet showers and great staff. There are a few long-termers but they seemed ok, and not the usual down and outs you associates with long term hostel dwellers. I can't mention Tel Aviv's other hostels in a negative way, but trust me, stay here!!

Really nice and friendly hostel. Rooms were clean and very reasonable, friendly staff, and a great location!!!

I was in Hayarkon 48 Hostel in July this summer of 2005 for a few weeks. This is the best hostel to stay at in Tel Aviv. It's cleaned on a daily basis. The hostel is close to everything in Tel Aviv. It is right near the famous Opera Tower mall and the very busy Allenby Street. I stayed in my own room for the first three nights, which to be honest is a waste of money. It is better to get a dorm room and just rent a locker. It's much cheaper and better. The hostel is right near the beach, like a three-minute walk and you're there. They have a nice supermarket close by called AM PM where you can buy food cheap and cook it back at the hostel. The hostel staff are ok. For me the best thing I liked about the hostel was the atmosphere, which was very open, with a lot of cool people from all over the world. If you're going to stay anywhere in Tel Aviv don't waste your time checking out other hostels. Hayarkon offers a good rate with a breakfast included. Also, the showers are amazing here.

I have stayed in this hostel a lot of times. I find it to be the best hostel in town. The people are very nice and the rooms are clean. But the best thing about the place is the showers.

I was in Israel for a year and spent most of my weekends at this place. It's great fun and very friendly and in an excellent location. To be fair, why would you stay anywhere else (hostels, that is!!!).

It was cheap, clean and close to a car office I had to go to. Okay, breakfast wasn't what was I was used to. But folks, don't expect the Hilton when you don't pay Hilton prices.

This place is right on Hayarkon Street and is very noisy. Shady travelers stay here, so lock up your stuff.

This place has the best location for a hostel. It is close to the main beach. The hostel is big, with lots of people staying at it. It costs a bit more than the other hostels but if you are a beach person it's worth it, because it's the closest hostel to the main beach. It's also very close to the nightlife on Allenby. Everything is within walking distance.

Four years ago I stayed at this hostel. It was quite an experience. I can't forget the evenings on the rooftop.