Online booking is not offered for this Hostel. Contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed below).
Please see St. John's for other available St. John's hostels and accommodations.
Please see St. John's for other available St. John's hostels and accommodations.
The Hostelz.com Review
If you want a living experience that will give you a real taste of Newfoundland and its people and culture, then you should try Downtown Hostel St. John's NFL. When we arrived at the hostel, the helpful attendants not only provided us with maps and the answers to all our questions, but also shared with us the Newfoundland delicacy they had just cooked -- toutin (special type of fried bread). In addition, on Sunday morning, the assistant manager, Bill cooked us a traditional Newfoundland brunch in the hostel kitchen.
Getting to the hostel is easy, since almost everyone in St. John's and Newfoundland is incredibly friendly, helpful, and eager to provide directions to any destination in the area. The Downtown Hostel is located on a steep hill within easy walking distance of the downtown area (George Street, Trans-Canada Mile Zero, Harbour-side Park). The hill is daunting at first but the small amount of exercise that the incline provides is satisfying and necessary after a large meal of fish and chips at Ches's, a renowned restaurant in St. John's located only a couple of blocks from the hostel. A new museum/art gallery called The Rooms that recently opened is also within five blocks of the hostel and is well worth a visit.
The hostel itself is small (sleeps twelve to fifteen people in each of two buildings) and within a very short period of time it feels like home. The kitchen is very well stocked and is ideal for anyone with a penchant for cooking. Cheery, bright, and fun, the kitchen is also where people of all ages can be found socializing at some point on most nights. When exploring the city seems too daunting for the legs, a lounge on the first floor that's equipped with a well-stocked book shelf and a TV/VCR/DVD player can be the perfect option.
The hostel is well kept and clean, with tidy one-person bathrooms on the first and second floors, and a shower on the first floor. There is only one shower in the building, but as it is a small hostel, there is never a line to use it. While we never had the pleasure of meeting manager Carola, her assistant Bill, is a very active presence at the hostel, always nearby to offer directions to anywhere in the city and provide explanations or translations of 'Newfoundnese' (words you will only hear in Newfoundland). If you're lucky on a night when he's in a good mood, he may even offer to hypnotize you -- a rare opportunity that you shouldn't pass up.
Getting to the hostel is easy, since almost everyone in St. John's and Newfoundland is incredibly friendly, helpful, and eager to provide directions to any destination in the area. The Downtown Hostel is located on a steep hill within easy walking distance of the downtown area (George Street, Trans-Canada Mile Zero, Harbour-side Park). The hill is daunting at first but the small amount of exercise that the incline provides is satisfying and necessary after a large meal of fish and chips at Ches's, a renowned restaurant in St. John's located only a couple of blocks from the hostel. A new museum/art gallery called The Rooms that recently opened is also within five blocks of the hostel and is well worth a visit.
The hostel itself is small (sleeps twelve to fifteen people in each of two buildings) and within a very short period of time it feels like home. The kitchen is very well stocked and is ideal for anyone with a penchant for cooking. Cheery, bright, and fun, the kitchen is also where people of all ages can be found socializing at some point on most nights. When exploring the city seems too daunting for the legs, a lounge on the first floor that's equipped with a well-stocked book shelf and a TV/VCR/DVD player can be the perfect option.
The hostel is well kept and clean, with tidy one-person bathrooms on the first and second floors, and a shower on the first floor. There is only one shower in the building, but as it is a small hostel, there is never a line to use it. While we never had the pleasure of meeting manager Carola, her assistant Bill, is a very active presence at the hostel, always nearby to offer directions to anywhere in the city and provide explanations or translations of 'Newfoundnese' (words you will only hear in Newfoundland). If you're lucky on a night when he's in a good mood, he may even offer to hypnotize you -- a rare opportunity that you shouldn't pass up.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
September 2006
Their Description
Downtown Hostel St. John's NFL Details
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Map
Location/Contact| Address | 25 Young Street, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada |
| Location | Up from George and Gower Streets, go up Carter's Hill and turn right into Young St. |
| Website | None (if you know the URL of their website, tell us and we'll add it) |
| Telephone | +1 (709) 754-7658 cell : +1 (709) 746-7161 |
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Wonderful place run by the nicest folks right in the heart of downtown Downtown Hostel is exactly that: a small hostel right in the heart of downtown! John, the proprietor, is the friendliest man. When we arrived, John immediately made myself and my comrades feel at home inviting us in with drinks, directions and discourse. With his advice, we enjoyed many local restaurants and bars making our time in St. John's the most amazing experience. I definitely would stay here again! — Mike Beshai , Canada (2011-07-18) Quaint and Wonderful Downtown Hostel was the first Hostel that I'd stayed at (Apr. 08), and I was not disappointed at all. I met a lot of very interesting people, and Bill was the absolute friendliest man I met while I was in St. John's. (his accent is a bit tough to understand at times.) Everything worth visiting is within walking distance, including George street, which is a quick stumble down the hill. There are now two bathrooms for the three-story house, which is good enough. Bill was quite generous and shared with us from his personal fridge. There was a night I decided to stay in with my hostel mates, and there was a great selection of movies and books. I would love to go back someday! — Liz , Canada (2008-12-29) Great place to stay! I really enjoyed my stay at the Downtown Hostel. Bill, the resident manager and teller of tall tales, is very friendly and spent time with the guests, making us feel very welcome He will give you the shirt off his own back to help you out if needed. Oh, Bill also throws a great kitchen party! Ask him to hypnotize you. I have stayed at hostels that may have been fancier, but none were more down to earth and friendly as this one. — Don Howell , United States (2008-06-11) Memorable! You cannot go to St. John's without visiting this hostel! I had an amazing time there. We had fun with Bill and Jack in the evening and got to know many of the other travelers. I will never forget it! — Grith , Denmark (2007-10-17) My other accommodations fell through at the last moment,and I was scrambling. when I called, Bill said that he had given away the last bed, but when he found out I was staying one night only -- he literally gave me (well, rented) his own bed and went to stay at his brother's across the street! (Please don't think he'll do this all the time!) It was a gesture that will always be remembered and appreciated. cozy house, maps on the wall give it that backpacker feeling, rooms are good enough, common room full of books and videos (oh yes, each room has a TV!). Many thanks to Bill, a true Newfie b'y. — Darcy , Canada (2007-05-13) Very good rooms. I stayed in two rooms and each only had one bunk in each. I had my own room for a while at a dorm rate but this was not in the peak season. Rooms even have TVs which is something I have never seen before in a hostel. Free internet but not very much communal space to meet new people and chill out. Good location in the heart of St John's. — Ed (2006-06-08) This hostel is awesome — during my stay I really enjoyed the warm and cozy atmosphere at this place. Carola and Bill are so friendly and helpful concerning all backpacker needs. I also met many other travelers and made new friends when we were cooking and sitting together in the common room. I strongly recommend this place! Thanks for everything! Alex :) — Alex (2005-10-23) Carola and Bill are amazing people. However the hostel on Freshwater Street was not what I expected. There are no locks on the dorm rooms and anyone can see into the room through the crack in the doorway. There is also only one bathroom/toilet for the entire three-floor hostel! With a few small improvements this hostel could be MUCH better! — Anonymous (2005-08-25) Carola is such a cool person! This hostel is close to everything. (St. John's isn't that big, though!) You've got to sign Carola's guest book or she will write some bad things about you when you leave!! Ha ha! I was there in July 2004, at the end of eight days around Newfoundland and it was the best way to greet the great place that Newfoundland is! The hostel is very clean; it looks like it's a family's house. You even have reading lights close to your bed. There's a free Web connection at the French culture institute just three blocks from the house. Bill or Carola will explain to you where it is. The keyboards are in French!! Downtown Hostel is definitely THE place to stay in St John's!! — Francesco (2005-02-17) This place is not as big as HI hostels, but it's good none the less. The only downer is that there's no Internet access. It has friendly and informative staff. — Anonymous (2005-01-04) Quaint and tiny, but very cool. Carola and Bill ROCK!! Carola's "Yoda Straps" saved my life from what could have been an unfortunate biking/camping adventure. I have purposefully gone out and hunted for Quidi Vidi beer in Ontario (and found it!!). This place has hiking, biking and generally clean air :-)
Moo Moo's Ice Cream and Chucky's Fish & Chips are a close walk from here, and Screech (I still have some left, which is being saved for my birthday). In two weeks on the coast, I counted only ONE unfortunately sober day. Cheers to this little jewel. — Roger Pielechaty from Toronto (2004-11-16)