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Please see Syracuse for other available Syracuse hostels and accommodations.
Please see Syracuse for other available Syracuse hostels and accommodations.
Description
HI - Syracuse - Downing International Hostel Details
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Map
Location/Contact| Address | 535 Oak Street, Syracuse, New York, USA |
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| Website | www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel060124.en.htm |
| Telephone | +1 (315) 472-5788 |
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Downing is a little scary. I have traveled many places and stayed in very many hostels. Downing is very nice in appearance and good location. But there was an old man who lives at the top floor and he followed me everywhere in the house and made me nervous. — Marcus , Germany (2012-01-25) Unprofessional and no realistic rules The girl who we spoke to didn't know anything about the hostel and rules, the boss wasn't there, she/he should have been and that's why the girl wasn't informed at all. It looked really unprofessional. Also there is a rules, from 9 am till 5 pm, you are not allowed in the hostel at that time. 9 am is much to early we think. So, no, we wouldn't stay there again. — Susanne en Cas , The Netherlands (2011-09-30) Nice to have Downing back! After a 6-7 year absence, I stayed at Downing for 13 nights for my annual "pilgrimage" to the NY State Fair! The Downing I remember fondly is BACK! Lunetha, the Manager, is a class act. For the first time since a long-time former manager's retirement 8-9 years ago, Downing is professionally managed and operated. Everything is clean, there was even *air conditioning* in a nice big comfortable private room! It may be off the beaten track for public transportation, espec. via Centro that makes 'public transportation' an oxymoron, but for the money (almost 1/3 of what we pd at Econolodge) and Lunetha's wonderful professionalism, it is a JOY to stay there! — PK Miller , US (2010-09-09) Better than most hostels worldwide, and must be best in town I have traveled to many hostels, and this ranked as one of my favorite. It is a historic house with comfortable accommodations and a friendly staff. The downside is that it has a somewhat unique (rare, but not the only one of its kind) system of having to leave during the day while no one is around. Perhaps if you warm up to the staff though, this won't be a problem. — Ross , USA (2010-08-19) Very accommodating and comfortable I felt very welcomed & comfortable at this hostel. It is an old victorian house with a lot of character. The manager is very nice and informative as well. I plan to stay there again! The only down side is the lock out from 9am to 5pm. 9 is a tad early for most, but you can still hang out on the front porch and access wireless if you must. — Anonymous , Unites States (2010-05-01) Excellent I have stayed in dozens of hostels worldwide. The staff at this hostel was outstanding -- rates in the best staff at any hostel I have stayed at. I was extremely thankful for their genuine friendliness before and during my stay. They always greeted me when I came and went from the hostel. When I asked about the local area, staff was more than willing to share, draw me a map, get a printed map/directions. I was not particularly outgoing during my stay sticking mostly to myself and the staff was the perfect acknowledging my presence, making me feel welcome (as though I really did live there), and letting me have my space. I visited Syracuse to visit SUNY/SU and make final graduate school admissions decisions. The hostel itself was very clean and had lots of charming character. Facilities were very nice including the restrooms and large kitchen, and common areas. I felt more than blessed to stay at the hostel instead of a lonely hotel room. Thanks! — Anonymous , USA (2010-04-06) Home from home, but better. I spent four nights here, September 2009. Old house on a quiet street, perfect if you want a good night's sleep. Comfortable rooms, including common room. Big kitchen with all necessaries, even some free offers. Close to town, with helpful friendly staff and ditto residents, some long-term visitors who know when they've found a good thing. All the hostels I've stayed in in America have been fine, but this tops the list. — donw , Finland (2009-11-07) Truly Accommodating I stayed at Downing from the end of August to the beginning of September in 2009. The hostel is very clean, on a nice street, and close to a bus stop. I was most impressed by how the staff (Lunetha) goes out of their way to accommodate requests and make your life easier. The house is very quiet and downright luxurious for that type of rate. Even the dorm rooms are quite spacious since they weren't filled up when I stayed there. Interesting architecture, at least to me. A bit old but well maintained. Wonderful amenities like Wi-Fi throughout the house and a well equipped kitchen, laundry room. The only thing in need of consideration is that its closed during the day. But overall a great hostel with a great rate. If I am ever in Syracuse, I am definitely staying there. — RT , Bo (2009-10-06) Lovely Quit often I stay at this hostel when on the mainland. This year, at the end of July, the hostel was filled by a large group booking, so I had to find another place to stay. This is to thank the Manager, Lunetha, for her online assistance in my frantic search for lodging. She answered my Saturday afternoon email within two hours, my Sunday morning email within ten minutes, and my Sunday afternoon email within twenty minutes. She suggested alternate dates for a HI hostel visit and also another nearby place to try. She included several details to help me make a decision. This was all beyond and above what I should have asked, but she answered with kindness and thoroughness. — Joan Warner , USA Hawaii (2009-09-21) One of the most restful hostels in the northeast U.S. This is a peaceful hostel in a beautiful large Victorian house about twenty minutes' walk from the bustle of downtown Syracuse. It is run by personable, welcoming, dedicated staff with deep commitment to the international hosteling movement. The accommodation is basic -- like all hostels -- but you need a break from work pressures and a nice base to the explore the area, I can't think of a better place to stay. — Anthony Kettle , Canada (2009-09-11) A home away from home. While doing the Erie Canal towpath on cycles, we relied on Downing IH to serve as our hopping off place. Friendly, helpful staff. Helped us stow our cycles off the street and allowed us to park in the drive for extra security at night. Lovely old mansion showing her age a bit, but comfortable and not at all institutional, a plus for me. Great price, huge kitchen-dining room, lots of baths, and a laundry facility. Not nearly full, though we were there in July 2009 (two times). Undiscovered gem. Met such interesting people, too. Great location. — Lynne Behnfield , USA (2009-09-03) A hidden gem -- more people should use this hostel I've previously stayed in HI hostels in San Francisco, Seattle, and Miami. After years passing through Syracuse as both a student and to visit family, I never even thought to look to see if there was a hostel. This time, I am very glad I did. The Syracuse hostel is in a quiet neighborhood in a central location, in a gorgeous old mansion. There weren't very many guests during my visit, so I never had to wait to use a shower or the restroom -- it was almost like staying in my own bedroom. I actually had a wonderful experience with the manager, Lunetha. She was very personable and helpful. She was patient in showing me how to get the after-hours lock to open and took the time to learn about my visit to Syracuse -- she was genuinely interested in my welfare and in supporting the mission of hosteling. It seemed like she took a lot of pride in the upkeep of her house and her guests. The only reason I didn't give this hostel five stars is because it lacked air conditioning and it was pretty sweltering during my visit. But I do recognize that this is a restored old house that never had air conditioning to begin with, and there's really only about two months during the year that temperatures get this hot in Syracuse anyway. All in all, this hostel is a good bargain and a great way-station if you are in transit through Syracuse or staying in town for a few days. — Carl , USA (2009-09-01) Very good, clean, kind service This is a different experience from your average hostel. It is located in a wonderful old Victorian house in a residential area (about fifteen minutes by foot to downtown, or catch a bus only a few minutes away). The hostel is clean, quiet, and has very kind service. One would wish staff at other hostels to be as helpful as Lunetha! — M. van Gageldonk , The Netherlands (2009-08-31) Best ratio prize quality in Syracuse Great hostel. Quiet, kind people, and not bad location. Best ratio prize quality in Syracuse. The atmosphere is great, I mean both Lunetha (the owner) and the hostelers, the best point of the hostel in my opinion. Nice building and neighborhood. I'll be back soon. — Alex Merino , Spain (2009-08-30) Great hostel in wonderful old home I stayed at HI - Syracuse for a night in early July 2009 while bicycling along the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany. I enjoyed my stay very much! The hostel is clean and comfortable and Lunetha, the manager, is friendly and helpful. I loved the old restored home that is now the hostel. The kitchen is well equipped and the other common areas are pleasant. While not right downtown, the hostel is not too far away in a pleasant residential neighborhood. I highly recommend this hostel. — Pete Tannen , USA (2009-08-30)