Online booking is not offered for this Hostel. Contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed below).
Please see Santa Fe for other available Santa Fe hostels and accommodations.
Please see Santa Fe for other available Santa Fe hostels and accommodations.
The Hostelz.com Review
The first thing you will notice about this hostel is its striking mural, a sure sign that you are in the artsy town of Santa Fe. Upon arriving at the hostel, you will receive a handy walking map and visitor's guide. There is a bounty of free snacks and staple foods available, but it is advisable to use them only as supplements to your own food supply.
Chores are mandatory and usually involve some type of cleaning. You will receive instructions and can choose which one you will do. Doing chores used to be a tradition at many hostels years ago, but this may be one of the few remaining hostels in the world that still requires its guests to do chores. This is something you should know before you arrive because many travellers may rather avoid this hostel if they don't like the idea of doing chores on their vacation, and at this hostel not doing the chore is not an option.
The owner, Preston, is a notable aspect of this hostel. Many guests find him to be kind and welcoming. But he does have a very strong personality and he can be intimidating if you cross a line and end up on his bad side.
The hostel dorm rooms are accessible from the main building via outdoor corridors. The rooms are simple and tend to be poorly lit, but are clean for the most part. Watch out for the showers, though. You may want to bring flip-flops. Be advised that the bunkbeds are foam mattresses on hard boards.
There are several long-term tenants at the pension who tend to hang around during the day. There is a $2 charge for this privilege. There is also a $2 charge per day to use the internet, but there is only one computer so you take your chances as to its availability.
Directions from Greyhound station: Right on St. Michael's. Left on Calle Lorca. Left on 2nd St. Right on Cerillos. Hostel on right. The Greyhound station is open for only a couple of hours during the day, so don't plan on hanging out there for long before your bus.
Chores are mandatory and usually involve some type of cleaning. You will receive instructions and can choose which one you will do. Doing chores used to be a tradition at many hostels years ago, but this may be one of the few remaining hostels in the world that still requires its guests to do chores. This is something you should know before you arrive because many travellers may rather avoid this hostel if they don't like the idea of doing chores on their vacation, and at this hostel not doing the chore is not an option.
The owner, Preston, is a notable aspect of this hostel. Many guests find him to be kind and welcoming. But he does have a very strong personality and he can be intimidating if you cross a line and end up on his bad side.
The hostel dorm rooms are accessible from the main building via outdoor corridors. The rooms are simple and tend to be poorly lit, but are clean for the most part. Watch out for the showers, though. You may want to bring flip-flops. Be advised that the bunkbeds are foam mattresses on hard boards.
There are several long-term tenants at the pension who tend to hang around during the day. There is a $2 charge for this privilege. There is also a $2 charge per day to use the internet, but there is only one computer so you take your chances as to its availability.
Directions from Greyhound station: Right on St. Michael's. Left on Calle Lorca. Left on 2nd St. Right on Cerillos. Hostel on right. The Greyhound station is open for only a couple of hours during the day, so don't plan on hanging out there for long before your bus.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
April 2004
Their Description
Santa Fe International Hostel Details
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Map
Location/Contact| Address | 1412 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA |
| Location | |
| Website | www.hostelsantafe.com |
| Telephone | +1 (505) 988-1153 |
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Great accommodations, Wonderful folks I'm glad I didn't let bad ratings deter me. My two friends and I really enjoyed the stay. The people on staff were friendly and helpful, and there was a communal atmosphere of respect and friendliness. The three of us got a room with several beds to ourselves. It was clean and comfortable. Fresh coffee and various breads and sundry foods were available every morning without charge, and we were also able to purchase our own food to store and cook it in their large, restaurant-quality kitchen. — Paul T , USA-Knoxville TN (2012-05-21) Very Enjoyable. My stay at the SFIH was delightful. I have experienced hostel-life for over a total of six months worth of nights in my life, and every aspect of this one, was fantastic. After reading others reviews before mine, I thought of the phrase,"life is what you make it." and the spiritual truth that we create our own lives; (so if we still believe we are victims, then we are projecting our own stuff onto others.). Anyway, a huge amount of shared food, A staff that was open and generous in every way, and quite endearing. The hostel chores are one of the reasons the rooms do not cost 79 per night. Chores help one to feel a part of the whole. Whatever you contribute your energy to becomes valuable to YOU -- that is how we become part of something larger than ourselves. Further benefits ... sufficient maps and information. Everything was CLEAN, including my shower. Overall, the stay was very comfortable, in the city of spectacular architectural unity. It is convenient to walk everywhere -- including the train station and the plaza. Best of all, there were beautiful people who did the hostel-mingle-thing better at the SFIH, because they make a place for it, we even had entertainment. Definitely highly, recommended. — Angel Bianca Agnello , USA (2011-10-17) You better run To your car, or train station, or a local motel. I must say, this hostel is a horrible place. It should be condemned. Non profit, my ass. This place is all about money. Stay away. — Deepak , Pakistan (2010-08-03) Invest your money elsewhere This is a truly horrible place. They take advantage of travelers, and are generally unfair. The dorms are disgusting. They charge you for wi-fi, and staying at the hostel during the day. The free food is expired and a joke. The staff are unpaid volunteers (slaves), and it shows. The owner is a complete jackass. — Rex , Seattle, USA (2010-07-15) Great It was a great stay at the hostel, and I will always come back, when I'm back in Santa Fé. — Andreas Spätling , german (2010-06-22) Bottom of the Barrel The private room, though inexpensive; was tiny and looked liked it hadn't been properly cleaned in years. The negative comments, about Preston, the owner; are all true. The location is good, as are the common facilities. I stayed for a week, and had problems, with some of the aggressively drunk staff. I guess if you're broke, or on a tight budget, it beats the streets. — Jack Zoff , Chicago, USA (2010-04-14) Comfortable and sociable Had a great time at the hostel. Fantastic kitchen space, dorm rooms were adequate with an in room bathroom, nice. The staff were great as well. Overall a great visit. — Mickie Elle , USA (2009-11-07) Pros and cons I have stayed here several times while in town and found it odd each time. Mostly the people staying there and a few times the help. My last impression in 2007 was that there is a weird dynamic with the help against the guests/maybe the manager. I dont think people like their jobs much, and it shows. The biggest thing, I had a private room in the rear building and was alarmed to find that the separate bathroom which had the showers -- its only door did not lock. I'm in there naked behind a shower curtain w/unlocked door in a back part of the hostel. I was miffed and told the help who said "We've never had any trouble." Well from somebody who has had trouble in her life -- it only takes the right freak. Then i was told that they have had trouble with people coming into the main unlocked building at night. You can go in and use the toilets and apparently so do the bums in the area? Imagine being attacked in there all alone. As much as i want to stay in town again i am very reluctant to stay here. Be careful. Santa Fe residents who work in customer service seem to have a real bias against tourists. They take me always for a local -- i'm poor -- and they talk crap right in front of me! I dont say anything, i want to hear what they say. For the money its good but you have to put up with stuff. — Dee , USA (2009-09-04) Very nice place and nice people and staff. the staff were so helpful and very professional. i will be back to stay again. room was very clean. bed was comfy. had a really nice stay. give this place a try. have an open mind! — nathan day , bedford tx usa (2009-08-28) Worst hostel ever Regardless of the price and the "free" food look anywhere else. — Sean H. Denver CO. , USA (2009-08-06) Home away from home I have been visiting Santa Fe for many years. I often camp but usually I stay at the hostel. This has become my home in Santa Fe. The fee to stay has always been minimal whether you stay as a single in a dorm room or get a double room. The room amenities are basic at best. The rooms however are clean and I have always received courteous and friendly communication and interaction from every staff member with whom I have had contact. The location is safe during both the day and night. In all of the years that I have visited the hostel I have never encountered anyone or experienced any situation that felt unsafe or threatening. Everyone there, whether staff or visitor has always been friendly offering information about what is happening in Santa Fe or regarding get togethers at the hostel. One wonderful Christmas about four years ago I stayed at the hostel over Xmas eve and Xmas day. Many of the visitors at the hostel and many of the staff got together to create one of the most memorable holiday meals that I have ever had. Almost everyone cooked their specialty with many going out and buying a variety of wines that were generously shared with everyone at the meal. There were many individuals that December from other countries and the meal was truly international. My daughter and her friend were traveling with me and it was one of the best times of their life. The kitchen is of commercial restaurant size and quality. There has always been abundant free food available. There is a Whole Foods store only a fifteen-minute walk away. Everyone staying at the hostel is provided with adequate space in the commercial sized fridge with glass doors. Everyone is requested to label their food. I have never heard of anyone having their food taken by someone else. Respect and courtesy among hostel-goers has always been the norm. My experience has always been that the hostel staff have done whatever was necessary to maintain the peace and quiet atmosphere making the hostel a kind of sanctuary. I will continue to go back to the hostel on future trips to Santa Fe. I hope that it is always there. Try it, you'll like it. — Tom , Austin, TX USA (2009-06-19) A place for kindred spirits I've stayed in Santa Fe four times, twice at the hostel, twice not. My stays at this hostel have made all the difference. This is a place for true travelers. I've met so many interesting people from around the world here and we've shared stories, laughs, meals, and spirits. It's a community. Yes, you have to do a chore, but it takes about ten minutes and I generally felt happy to help anyway. Preston and Mike are gems! The staff is friendly and welcoming. I was happy to be there again! The water is not brown (quite clear and drinkable). Preston does not yell all day. If you are looking to party hard and have a sparkling room and a mint on your pillow, do yourself a favor and go to a hotel. There are some good ones in Santa Fe. But if you are looking for a place to stay with soulful personality, beautiful inspiration, and sharing community, stay here! You won't forget it! — Leah from Ohio , USA (2009-04-04) So i read the comments before I stay here and think "Boy there's definitely two opinions on this place," so I give it the benefit of the doubt. Bad Idea. The guys that owns it is nuts. He's having a dispute with the business next door and that's all he talks, sorry yells about. And yells. And yells. Police there all the time. But the rudeness and yelling is not worth any price. — Jean , Belgium (2009-03-29) Worst hostel I've ever seen If nothing else, hostels are usually cheap beds in good locations with lots of random people to meet -- I know this, so it's not like I expect the Ritz Carlton for $15. I've stayed at a bunch of hostels and the Santa Fe International Hostel was my only bad experience because the place was f'ing filthy. The area where you park your car looks like a junkyard, there are no screens in the windows so there are a ton of bugs, and the water in the bathroom faucets is borderline brown. The last straw was when my one "roommate" told me he was sleeping in jeans because he thought he got bedbugs there the night before. I ended up leaving and staying at a hotel. This place is gross, you're better off putting your $15 toward a room at Motel 6 or whatever. — Mike , USA - Las Vegas, NV (2009-03-15) Going to Santa Fe? Stay here! Kudos to Santa Fe International Hostel. This is a hostel where people sit down, share a meal, and share their stories, and become friends. There's always plenty of excellent, healthy food; interesting people to talk to; and the staff are, quite frankly, overqualified; the location is near the historic plaza. They introduced me to Santa Fe in a way I could never have duplicated staying at a Holiday Inn. I am now a hostel convert. Thanks Preston, Gayle, Gloria, Tara, Michael, Robert, and Matthew. — Julie Irish , USA (2009-03-14)