Bon Paul & Sharky's Hostel

Named in loving memory of two pet fish, Bon Paul and Sharky's Hostel is located in a converted two-story home on hip Haywood Road in West Asheville, NC. Sunflowers grow tall outside the house, and just two blocks away local farmers bring their produce to the organic food market and once weekly outdoor market. Coffeeshops, pubs, and thrift shops abound, and the hostel has bikes available to borrow for free, if you should want free transportation to the downtown. Local buses also run past the house during the day.

The house is a comfortable one that feels like home, with a swing on the front porch and a hot tub on the back. The ground floor is all common areas with an open layout (no doors). The living room includes a small desk which serves as the reception area, a pet fish, and couches and a large TV where backpackers as well as the owner's friends are often watching DVDs. The dining room has a breakfast table, foosball, and US and world maps where travelers mark their hometowns. There is plenty of cabinet and fridge space in the kitchen, as well as free waffles, snow cones, and common food. The upstairs contains three dorm rooms and one double room. Sheets are provided with no extra charge. There is no air conditioning, but fans keep the rooms comfortable through most of the summer.

The house fosters a friendly sense of community, so hostelers hang out here perhaps more than at other hostels (the free wi-fi helps, too!). The only downside is that, being a regular house, there are only two full bathrooms for everyone to share. On weekdays and uneventful weekends, this is not a big problem, as people tend to get up at different times anyway. Those who have their own equipment and choose to camp in the backyard enjoy the benefits of the hostel at a lower price, but between a bumpy ground, a light that shines all night, and the hum of some machine near the house, it may be worth paying full price to stay inside.

Finding the hostel by car is easy, as Haywood is a major road in West Asheville. Just watch carefully, as the numbers go by fast! For bus information, free rides, or more info, just call the helpful hostel staff.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review