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Knoxville Hostel

Knoxville

Address
404 East 4th Avenue, Knoxville Tennessee, USA   Map
Price
Dorm Bed: $17/night year-round Check Current Prices by Date Here
Location/Contact
Details
Knoxville Hostel Online Booking
Arrival Date:   Nights:  People: 
Their Description

Features

  • Free Breakfast
  • Kitchen
  • Phones (public or in room)
  • Travel information provided
  • Lounge / Common space
  • 24 Hour Free Hot Showers
  • Air Conditioning
  • Washing Machine (laundry)
 
The Hostelz.com Review
When one goes over to the Knoxville Hostel for the first time, one may have some qualms about the older and somewhat run-down (but safe) neighborhood or proximity to Highway 40. In fact, the location of the hostel is near ideal -- situated only a couple of miles from downtown, and even closer to the Old City Historic District where there are more shops and restaurants -- and is reasonably quiet even with the freeway nearby.

Any lingering concerns one may have about the hostel are soon allayed upon walking inside and being greeted by the owners. Al -- who lives in Knoxville not too far away from the hostel -- is especially friendly and professional. The spacious rooms are top-notch, being meticulous and having thoughtful touches such as an ironing board. Though each of the rooms can sleep 6, there seem to be few days when there are more than just a handful of guests in the house. Men usually outnumber the women here and on days when there are no women, the hosts may have some of the men sleep in the women's dorm so as to reduce the number of occupants per room even further.

The common area includes a small living room with a TV, kitchen, and a nook with a single desktop computer with high-speed internet access where one can check email or browse the web. Free breakfast is offered (usually fruit, bagels, and coffee), and unlike many hostels, sheets and blankets are provided.

Despite these freebies and high level of service and cleanliness, the Knoxville Hostel charges a reasonable rate. It is truly a great value, with attentive hosts and a pleasant environment.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
January 2006


Ratings & Comments

4.8 Average from 25 Ratings

This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites we don't censor out the negative comments.
We can't validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Larry James, USA
September 2009
5 Outstanding!
Great place to stay! Exceptional management. The smallest hostel I have stayed in but one of the best.
Comment by Maximiliano vergara, Chile
August 2009
5 Great experience
Mr. Al the owner of the hostal is a great guy, is that kind of person that you never think that you will found. The hostal is pretty clean and is like stay home. The neighborhood is really quiet, and is just five minutes' walking to a lots of clubs in old city. And the price. All perfect, even Mr. Al can take you to the shopping center without cost for you.
Comment by Grahame, Canada
May 2009
5 Excellent
Well situated in a very pleasant town, this hostel is great. Al is great and the other staff are friendly. There's inexpensive laundry facilities; a local phone; pots, pans, plates, and cutlery; towels; and nice sheets on beds that don't squeak; with floors that don't creak; and mattress covers that don't rustle like a plastic bag every time you move. I was traveling around the southern U.S. from hostel to hostel, and of the places I was, this place was like a pleasant holiday from the rest.
Comment by Matt, USA
April 2009
5 Great management and staff
Great location. Five-minute walk to old city and ten minutes to downtown. Al (the owner) and all the staff were very friendly and helpful. Free breakfast, coffee, tea, linen, towels, and internet makes for a great deal.
Comment by Carmen, USA, IN
March 2009
5 Clean, friendly, super-helpful
I love this place, and the very kind people who run it. I was hosteling by myself for the first time, which was a little scary, but Al the owner helped me find my way around and gave great suggestions for food/music/strolling/hike. He even packed me a little snack for my hike in the Smokies the next day! I think I was rather spoiled.
Comment by Deb Henry, American (New York)
April 2008
5 More than I expected
Anyone who has stayed in a hostel knows not to expect very much, but I was more than pleased with Al's hospitality and the amenities provided. He spent a lot of time helping a friend and I get oriented with the city, wireless internet was convenient although a computer was available as well, extra toiletries were in the bathroom, there was a hairdryer and iron available, convenient location. Initially intimidated by the area as I had never been to Knoxville, we had a newer car full of gear that stayed safe. I also appreciate Al's recycling, which can fall to the wayside when you own a hostel. The best hostel I stayed in on my trip!
Comment by P2Z, New Zealand
August 2007
5 Couldn't be any better!
I've had the good fortune of staying at this hostel on separate instances. The first time was great -- clean, friendly, lovely. So, when I went back the second time I was expecting something less. I was wrong! It was still clean. It was still friendly. It was still lovely. The owner/manager is a great man and a wealth of information. He is nice, friendly, and quite entertaining. It a bit of a walk from the UT campus, but there are plenty of watering holes along the way to refresh you! I love this hostel, and will someday return.
Comment by caity
November 2006
5 after traveling for awhile and feeling kind of unwelcome in the state of TN coming to the knoxville hostel was like coming home to old friends or to my mothers open arms. i am so happy that now i will be leaving the state of TN with a positive feeling, new friends, and a new home i can always come back to here in knoxville.
Comment by Stephanie from the Old Dominion
August 2006
5 This hostel was just perfect. It is actually more like a Bed and Breakfast than a hostel. The staff were the friendliest, warmest, most generous, and genuine people I've almost ever met. I went to Knoxville for the first time and was shown around on my very own personal Saturday morning tour. The traffic was noisy and I got a little chilly, but there were extra blankets and earplugs to remedy the situation. I'll be back!
Comment by Mika, Finland
July 2006
5 It's the warmness of the hostel staff that gives the five stars. The hostel is in the walking distance from Greyhound bus station (around ten minutes), the area is ok. Knoxville hostel is very clean with good beds and kitchen. If you think you'd be bothered with the traffic noise the hostel will give you free earplugs. I was never bothered with the traffic noise. Also free internet is available. From the start of my request for a reservation I was given such a warm welcome and information I needed was given very quickly. When I arrived to the hostel I was given a ride by Al to a concert which was quite close to start. Brian, the manager, was also very friendly. It was with Al that I became friends. He gave me practical tips about Knoxville (like the free live bluegrass concerts during the lunchtime) and where to go, and he help me to get there. The most memoriable things about Knoxville aren't the cultural events I was attended in, but the rich and meaningful conversations I had with Al. That's precious.
Comment by Dave SD
May 2006
5 I stayed at this hostel the year before last when I visited for the Notre Dame game in town. The staff (including ownership) was absolutely great. I felt right at home. I wish I kept in touch with them. So far, this is the best hostel experience I've had -- U.S., Ireland, Florida, Hawaii and California included. The neighborhood is not the greatest, but very conveniently located for easy in and out (even for walking to the stadium). I'd stay here again in a heartbeat.
Comment by Kyle
April 2006
5 I had made the decision to stay at the hostel, but didn’t really want to at first. I was on my way to Great Smokey Mountains National Park (about an hour away from the hostel). Once I stepped into through the door I was very happy to be there. The staff was very welcoming, and made me feel at home. I didn’t go out that night, though many options and recommendations (including live music) were made available to me by the staff, and were within walking distance. Several days later on my way back from the National Park I decided to stop back in for a good nights rest before my eleven-hour drive back home. I was greeted like an old friend. I was sitting in the boys room when Al (the owner) asked my new friend from Peru and me if we were interested in some tickets to the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. We both were very interested, but low on money. Al gave us the tickets ($60 each) for free, and even drove us to the parking garage. The staff and people staying there easily made this the most enjoyable hostel experience I have ever had. I would recommend this hostel to anyone!
Comment by Tanya from Wisconsin
February 2006
5 This was an amazing experience. The location of the hostel couldn't have been better! It's within walking distance of "Old City" and even though it was very close to the interstate, I barely noticed it. What made the stay even more memorable were the hosts. They were fantastic and made the hostel seem more like a home away from home. I would recommend this place to anyone!
Comment by jo, northern ireland
December 2005
5 from the moment i arrived here i was treated like an old friend. the management were absolutely lovely & it felt like being welcomed into someones home - towels, robes, homely rooms & free access to stuff. i would recommend this place to my best mate or parents! when i was there dollywood was closed (nooooooooooooooooo!) but its such a laid back little town that i had a cool time chilling out instead.
Comment by Alan Nasr
September 2005
4 I had a good one night stay here on a Friday night. I was the only guest when I went to sleep but I believe someone arrived late at night. The interstate traffic is definitely noisy. The air was comfortable. The hosts are nice and provided me with a lot of local information. A real happening area of bars and restaurants is located very close by (walking distance), though the university is a bit further away. The neighborhood that the hostel house is located in is somewhat run-down, but overall safe. I recommend this hostel to travelers for sure.
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