The Hostelz.com Review
White Mountains Hostel is one of our favorite hostels but it's been getting a little too big for its own good over the years. Our latest visit is sadly declining from the original memories of the hostel that we have fallen in love with.
The Location
The location is the big draw of this hostel -- it's right outside of the beautiful white mountains of NH. It has fantastic views and great opportunities for hiking, fishing, kayaking, biking, or skiing depending on the season. The price is also very affordable for the region.
Rooms and Bathrooms
It was a bit too noisy for our liking in the dorm rooms this time around, and some of the guests were not so clean, which just seemed to accumulate. The bathrooms are fair but feel a bit too much like a real public bathroom for us -- not just a public bathroom in a hostel.
Common Spaces
The common space is large and comfortable -- we wish we could have slept in here but it's pretty good for relaxing after a day out in the mountains. It has a computer and a TV as well as a couple couches to nap on. No one really bothers you here -- we were able to make ourselves at home.
Summary
All in all, this hostel has still got it -- a great price and a great location, wonderful charm, and a friendly atmosphere. Sure, it can get a bit loud and rowdy when you just want to get to sleep, but that can happen anywhere and it's not the hostel's fault -- plus it's part of the fun.
The Location
The location is the big draw of this hostel -- it's right outside of the beautiful white mountains of NH. It has fantastic views and great opportunities for hiking, fishing, kayaking, biking, or skiing depending on the season. The price is also very affordable for the region.
Rooms and Bathrooms
It was a bit too noisy for our liking in the dorm rooms this time around, and some of the guests were not so clean, which just seemed to accumulate. The bathrooms are fair but feel a bit too much like a real public bathroom for us -- not just a public bathroom in a hostel.
Common Spaces
The common space is large and comfortable -- we wish we could have slept in here but it's pretty good for relaxing after a day out in the mountains. It has a computer and a TV as well as a couple couches to nap on. No one really bothers you here -- we were able to make ourselves at home.
Summary
All in all, this hostel has still got it -- a great price and a great location, wonderful charm, and a friendly atmosphere. Sure, it can get a bit loud and rowdy when you just want to get to sleep, but that can happen anywhere and it's not the hostel's fault -- plus it's part of the fun.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
May 2010
Their Description
White Mountains Hostel Details
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White Mountains Hostel Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Convenient location, clean, and hospitable I've stayed at this hostel a number of times, and keep coming back. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and Cindy & David do a great job keeping the place clean. One suggestion? There's a guy who watches the TV all the time, which is sort of annoying ... ditch the TV! — Paul , USA (2011-08-31) Nice hostel, good location! I stayed in this hostel for three nights to visit the white mountains forest. I really enjoyed my stay, the place was clean with a big and nice kitchen, cozy living room, and spacious dorms even with real air con! The staff is very friendly and the location is convenient close to the south gate of the park. And if you want to go for outlet shopping, Settlers outlet village is also not a far drive. If you want to visit the park this hostel is a good place to stay. — Carola , Netherlands (2009-08-30) I stayed here in July '06, I liked this hostel, its clean and the kitchen is very big. The staff is friendly and it has an free WiFi access. I recommend staying there. — David (2006-08-03) This HI hostel at the edge of the White mountains has an excellent location. By car, the hostel is located on Washington St. less than a block off of Highway 16 in Conway. The location is the perfect base point from which begin exploration of the White Mountains and within a 30 minute drive from skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, sleighing, ice climbing, shopping, etc.
The hostel itself is small, but it's size gives it a friendly atmosphere allowing and encouraging travelers to intermingle with others during their stay.
Dorm rooms are separated by male and female. However, there are rooms available for couples and families as well as small apartments. There is also a kitchen and lounge area as well as laundry facilities. Although there aren't any meals included in the price of the room, refrigerator space and dishes are available for use. Recycling is practiced and encouraged. The bathrooms are clean and nice, rooms are average size, and parking is somewhat limited.
The lady who runs the place is very helpful and friendly. She lives on site, has been living and working at the hostel for a number of years and will do her best to give you any information you need regarding your stay in New Hampshire.
Additionally, for all travelers who are students, be sure to show your student ID and you will receive a discount.
Overall, a clean and well-run hostel with a wonderful location and a friendly but quiet atmosphere. — Samantha McCowan , United States (2005-04-26) I don't like this hostel. It's too crowded and very expensive. The small rooms include six beds. It has just two places in the room that are suitable for a person. — Ono (2005-04-12) I liked this hostel. It did seem like everyone was getting ready for hiking, biking, and mountain climbing. Luckily for me there are plenty of stores, restaurants, and a movie theater in walking distance. — Lynn Lipari (2003-12-26) It's not too tidy, but there were many friendly guests. The people running it are much better than when I was last there a few years back. Much more personable. Not many guests seemed to be outdoors people. This time of year at Conway Hostel a lot of young Europeans are around sorting plans. And they all smoke! — SB (2003-10-08) Nice place - fairly clean and tidy. The lady at the front desk - may have been replaced - the one now is definitely American and speaks with a little lisp. She's extremely helpful and sweet. The place is full of Polish and Slovakian students for the next month or so. Very few other folks. Decent place - would recommend, good place for $21 a night. — NS (2003-09-22) This is one of the better hostels I've ever stayed at! The outside of the hostel is deceiving, it's a bit tattered and is badly in need of a paint job. The (new) owner, Leonard said he was going to repaint it along with making some improvements inside when they close the hostel (for a few weeks) sometime in the near future.
First of all, it's extremely clean inside, they make you take off your shoes after checking in, this keeps the wooden floors from getting scuff and heel marks all over them. The common room is cozy/comfy which lends itself to travelers from all over the world sharing their travel stories. The rooms are decent and so are the showers. The staff even washes the sheets every day. There's a free breakfast in the morning--English muffins, etc. The only thing I didn't like was the woman they had working for them to help with the sign-in at night--spoke with a foreign accent and had a surly attitude towards the guests. Everybody was talking about her attitude. Other than that, it was a great hostel, I'd definitely go back... — Mary (2003-04-11)