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Please see Phoenix for other available Phoenix hostels and accommodations.
Please see Phoenix for other available Phoenix hostels and accommodations.
The Hostelz.com Review
HI - Phoenix, The Metcalf House Hostel is surprisingly hard to find, as no one seems to know where it is! But once you do it's easy to get back to.
The Location
Bus service in Phoenix is slow, but take the #10 from the central bus station (ask the driver) and go to Roosevelt and Ninth. Turn left, walk four houses, and you will see an unmistakable hostel -- chairs and table out front, Christmas lights, plenty of bric-a-brac and a couch on the porch, a metal gate and fortunately a big sign. It's an atmospheric house typical of Phoenix and southwestern, open until 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
You're in a dark but artsy location close to plenty of coffee houses, art shops, a vegan cafe/co-op, open-air markets, indie-film house, and within easy walking distance from downtown. Just follow Roosevelt in the direction of downtown, and you'll find no end of things to explore on the way. Take the bus the other way to Sixteenth to the Ranch Market -- the best place for food in Phoenix. It's a giant Mexican grocery mart with amazing prices, fresh produce, grocery, liquor, and a whole Mexican deli/lunch experience where all the locals go to eat and socialize!
Rooms and Bathrooms
The girls dorm is tiny -- four beds (they are comfortable enough). The guys' dorm has its own closet, toilet and shower, as well as entrance. During the day the girls have to go through the guys' dorm as the door to the common room, kitchen, and toilet is locked! It's not always the most accessible place, but you can get in with a code if you need to. The kitchen is very clean with a big range, a free breakfast (and coffee!) and all the dishes, cutlery, and pots and pans. You are set. There are fridges, ice and bins to put your food, plus a shelf of spices to use, leave, and share.
Common Spaces
The common room is big and airy and has a huge table of a giant wooden spool of a size we have not seen before, and a collection of instruments from all over the world, from African drums to guitar to piano to all kinds of small music-makers from Zimbabwe, Peru, Chile, and beyond. There is another small room for books and two chairs, but it is stark and in almost a week there we saw no one use it. There is a cactus garden out back with a big table, fire pit, a roof to watch the sunset (there's a bit of a scuzzy couch and blankets up there, but if you're feeling dirty and need a spot, go for it).
Summary
The staff are not always the most friendly -- perhaps they had a bad day or two? And they seem to have crews of local kids on work programs there regularly, so it is not the most backpacker-oriented atmosphere. The owners, who apparently live on-site, were nowhere to be found in almost a week there. The local events and hostel happenings on the board are sadly out of date and when hostelers asked about some of them, we were told that "we don't do that anymore," though no one bothered to change the notices! But the staff are very efficient and try to be traveler-accommodating -- you just get the feeling that they have done this for too long. Phoenix is not very happening, and they know it.
The Location
Bus service in Phoenix is slow, but take the #10 from the central bus station (ask the driver) and go to Roosevelt and Ninth. Turn left, walk four houses, and you will see an unmistakable hostel -- chairs and table out front, Christmas lights, plenty of bric-a-brac and a couch on the porch, a metal gate and fortunately a big sign. It's an atmospheric house typical of Phoenix and southwestern, open until 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
You're in a dark but artsy location close to plenty of coffee houses, art shops, a vegan cafe/co-op, open-air markets, indie-film house, and within easy walking distance from downtown. Just follow Roosevelt in the direction of downtown, and you'll find no end of things to explore on the way. Take the bus the other way to Sixteenth to the Ranch Market -- the best place for food in Phoenix. It's a giant Mexican grocery mart with amazing prices, fresh produce, grocery, liquor, and a whole Mexican deli/lunch experience where all the locals go to eat and socialize!
Rooms and Bathrooms
The girls dorm is tiny -- four beds (they are comfortable enough). The guys' dorm has its own closet, toilet and shower, as well as entrance. During the day the girls have to go through the guys' dorm as the door to the common room, kitchen, and toilet is locked! It's not always the most accessible place, but you can get in with a code if you need to. The kitchen is very clean with a big range, a free breakfast (and coffee!) and all the dishes, cutlery, and pots and pans. You are set. There are fridges, ice and bins to put your food, plus a shelf of spices to use, leave, and share.
Common Spaces
The common room is big and airy and has a huge table of a giant wooden spool of a size we have not seen before, and a collection of instruments from all over the world, from African drums to guitar to piano to all kinds of small music-makers from Zimbabwe, Peru, Chile, and beyond. There is another small room for books and two chairs, but it is stark and in almost a week there we saw no one use it. There is a cactus garden out back with a big table, fire pit, a roof to watch the sunset (there's a bit of a scuzzy couch and blankets up there, but if you're feeling dirty and need a spot, go for it).
Summary
The staff are not always the most friendly -- perhaps they had a bad day or two? And they seem to have crews of local kids on work programs there regularly, so it is not the most backpacker-oriented atmosphere. The owners, who apparently live on-site, were nowhere to be found in almost a week there. The local events and hostel happenings on the board are sadly out of date and when hostelers asked about some of them, we were told that "we don't do that anymore," though no one bothered to change the notices! But the staff are very efficient and try to be traveler-accommodating -- you just get the feeling that they have done this for too long. Phoenix is not very happening, and they know it.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
February 2012
Their Description
HI - Phoenix, The Metcalf House Hostel Details
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Map
Location/Contact| Address | 1026 North Ninth Street, Phoenix, Arizona, USA |
| Location | |
| Website | www.hiusa.org/phoenix |
| Telephone | +1 (602) 254-9803 |
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Excellent! Thank you so much for the wonderful accommodations and thoughtful hospitality! It was just what I needed for my quick stop in Phoenix for a career fair. — Mae , USA (2011-05-26) Best part of my trip I spent the first part of my trip at a 5 star resort and didn't enjoy half as much as I did my stay at Metcalf house and the amazing women who run it. Everything at the house has a story -- there is so much character and love. Lay out in the hammocks have a meaningful conversation and help cook a meal for the community -- these are the experiences that a hostel should foster, and Metcalf House does a wonderful job. — Jessica Urzen , USA (2011-04-20) Most Amazing Hostel in the States I have been a life-long hosteler traveler for years, and this is one of the best hostels I have staying at in the US. Mary and Ger are an amazing team that make each night fun and informative. They are a fun group that keep a super clean and safe place, but also laugh, dance, and take people out on fun excursions. Mary took the whole hostel to Flamenco dance, then danced with everyone. She is well-liked, fun, and super smart. Ger is the more professional of the two gals, but she give a fun twist to business. She's from New Zealand and always has great insight! I would recommend this hostel to anyone and everyone. And the garden is a beautiful oasis! — Anonymous , American (2011-04-07) One of the best hostels I have ever stayed at -- 04/09 Sue welcomed us and our friend with open arms. Over the course of our several days there, Sue, Alex, I and the other travelers there shared stories, movies, food, and played music together. I don't even play music and I felt at home there. I am the one who wrote "beware Sue the Hostel queen" and it was a complete joke. She knew about it and we liked to call her that, because she is a beautiful woman with a wonderful sense of adventure and humor! I highly recommend this place. — Monica and Alex , USA (2010-12-15) My Home Away From Home I've been staying here once a month for my Army Reserve weekend, and love it! Geraldine is one of the kindest people I've ever met, anywhere. Roosevelt Street is an up-and-coming arts district. Great (not cheap) food and drink at Carly's about 1 km down the street, and I've never had a problem stumbling to-and-fro in the wee hours, or parking on the street. For me, the worst part of staying here is the teeny shower stalls -- but for 1/3 the cost of a local "economy" hotel room, I can manage. — Bryan , Arizona USA (2010-08-17) Super friendly, clean, homey, and comfortable My first impression of this hostel is how beautiful it is. The backyard and front patio are full of flora and a great place to hang out and read a book. The receptionist is one of the best. I cannot remember her name (English woman) but she welcomed me right away, gave me an incredibly detailed tour of the hostel, a map and pointed out the best places for dining and shopping within the first 5 minutes of arriving. Sure, closing down the common area is a bummer but I think that the hostel itself makes up for it in character. Its these little things that you let slide when you are paying 20 dollars for a night in Phoenix. — Anon , Colorado, USA (2010-02-21) Phoenix's best kept secret! I stayed here for three days and loved the atmosphere! The staff (Sue, Mary, Tuey) were friendly and knowledgeable about food, restaurants, and local attractions. The hostel can seem dated but it has character and is seven minutes' walking to town/lightrail. thursdays is a community dinner ($2) where there can be thirty-plus people there to relax and meet people -- recommended! — friendly gal , usa (2009-10-22) Good vibes, stereotypical hostel experience (in a good way) Popped into town on some independent case study of the light rail. nice hostel in an older house/slowly gentrifying neighborhood that has been fixed up real funky (again, in a good way) and ran by the legendary Sue. Usual things you expect from a cool hostel -- Mingling with people of varies nationalities and backgrounds; Talking about the things to do around town (first Friday Artwalks just a couple of blocks down on Roosevelt along with dope hipster bars, Mill Ave in Tempe and whatnot); Drinking beers; Kicking back in a super laid back setting and talking about every topic under the sun; Wi-Fi; Cheap Sleeping. good times -- will visit again. — CJ , Americano (2009-05-11) Unfriendly If you are into masochism, this is the place for you. The proprietress, whose name is Sue, is into a heavy power trip. Perhaps the words chalked on the sidewalk in front of the place when I arrived said it all -- Beware of Sue the Hostel Queen. — José , USA (2009-04-15) Hostel like a hostel should be Just a place to sleep and meet some people. Quiet area. Difficult to find. Nice welcome. Walkable to Diamond Backs Stadium and Heard Museum. Cheap.
And that's all I need. Was there in May 2007. Hope I'll be in time (latest check in at 10 p.m.) next 5th of February. — arie , NL (2009-01-16) A real hostel! Old house of brick. they are Wi-Fi'd now. downtown area Phoenix is easy walking, very flat. This hostel is quiet, which I like because you get a good sleep. It's not a loud party type place, which for me is better. I am glad it's still here. the garden is very private and shady, the kitchen big and well equipped. A home away from home. — Nicko , Germany (2008-09-02) Good place to stay, racist management I have only stayed in a couple of hostels, but this one seemed quite nice. It's close to downtown Phoenix and the I-10 freeway, but it's a very quiet neighborhood. It's also near one or two bus lines, and a couple of other guests got along fine that way, but most had rented a car. The place was clean and the kitchen was well-equipped. The front yard is a great place to sit and hang out.
The only problem I had was with the owner/manager Jim. He has a very harsh sense of humor and is not afraid to get into a debate about politics or whatever, which in itself is ok. However, he was outright bigoted towards the Japanese guests who were staying there, which really rubbed me the wrong way. He is willing to do work-trade deals, though, so that might work out for some people. Overall a good experience. — Beth , United States (2008-03-09) Liked it Ah, those were the days. Like Glen, I was here as an English visitor in the summer of 2001. I wasn't here long, but reading the comments I guess it was run by Sue, whom I remember being a little new-agy and friendly. I seem to recall the decor of the place and looking at photographs jogs the memory. I don't remember it being in a particularly bad part of town, however on walking back with a friend late at night someone unseen from a housing area nearby decided to throw six inch nails at us. Weird. I'm in Phoenix again but I called them and they say they are closed until September 1st. Sad. — Warren , British (2007-07-26) Odd, but a good experience This hostel is not like anywhere you've stayed. A little green oasis in an extremely bad area, it certainly has character. When I arrived, the rather odd guy taking care of the place rubbed me up the wrong way, but ultimately it was fine. Just a lost case I guess. Met the legendary Sue. A spirited lady who had lots of great stories and a great sense of humour. Even showed her the stories on this site. Met some great folks, including a philosopher/psychologist who I had long debates into the night with, and a cool photographer chick who was crashing for the night after a gig. Good time. Very hard to find the hostel, took hours of driving around. Really bad area. Went to the corner filling station at night, and asked a local girl behind the counter if it was safe to walk around. She said that the gangs ran things in one direction, and the drug deals ran things in the other, so I should probably just stay inside. Yikes! No net access. Really far from the city, and Phoenix is humongous. Way way more spread out than most american cities. It's two buses, about an hour if I remember correctly, to the get to Tempe, the "fun" student area. — Gareth , Irish (2007-07-14) I came down from Seattle on a "Southwest Adventure" back in '93 or so. I stayed here for a couple of nights and had a good time. I do think Phoenix merits a larger hostel though. I never thought that ten years later I would have bought an old Bungalow just one block from the Metcalf House. Now I occasionally direct hostelers who come from the bus station to the Metcalf house. It is getting better here, folks! — John Palmer (2007-02-25)