The Hostelz.com Review
Camelot Inn & Hostel offers very basic accommodations with the convenience of automated check-in. You will receive superior responsiveness from the manager via email. During our three-night stay, we only saw one cleaning staff person for a few minutes and one person who disappeared into an office (he might have been the day manager?), but there is no one at a desk to answer questions. Instead, there is a pile of local information inside private rooms (we assume that's true of every room) to give guests an overview of the outdoor attractions in the area, like skiing and hiking.
The Location
It's very conveniently close to a downtown rail line (with inexpensive fare) that leads directly to Temple Square, the heart of Salt Lake City's downtown area. The property is pretty close to the convention center and the major shopping center that was recently built.
The neighborhood seems mostly light industrial, with a nearby car dealership and similar businesses. There is a spacious parking lot (which was blocked off and under construction during our three-night stay) on the property, with new landscaping (a few small fruit trees). The canary-yellow and royal-blue paint scheme is clearly visible from a block away, which is convenient when you're new in town. It's not very close to any visible places to eat or buy groceries, so guests without rental cars may have to walk a lot, or have a city map in advance to know where to take the rail line.
Security seems excellent, with an often-changed combination code on exterior doors (the manager emailed us advance notification of changes). Keys to individual rooms are placed in lock boxes outside the bedroom doors, with simple instructions on how to get keys out. In fact, there are copies posted everywhere of the hostel rules (about keys, towels, check-out time, and everything else) in case guests forget! Security personnel are all off-site, which could be a risk if someone tries to break in.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Our very small but well-furnished private bedroom has newish paint and framed posters on the walls as well as a new-looking bunk bed with comfortable mattresses and full linens. Other private rooms we saw have similar decorations (one has black velvet paintings!) and furniture.
Our ground-floor private room has adequate-sized clothing rod, desk fan, and small TV on table. Also it has small window overlooking the street, with decent drapes to block out streetlights.
The hostel has four shared bathrooms, all of which are fairly big compared to typical hotel bathrooms. Bathrooms have locking doors, adequate light bulbs, a mirror and shelf above sink, and closing shower compartments. Bathrooms have modern American plumbing.
Common Spaces
The galley-style common kitchen is just inside main entrance; it has a fridge, decent counter space, a cooking surface, and a small bench to sit on. The hostel does not have a gathering room with space to sit to watch TV, but there is a small room at the back of the building with free internet terminals. Although we stayed during a holiday weekend, there were not many guests, and not much social interaction.
Summary
This is a great budget accommodation as an alternative to the pricey big chain hotels adjacent to Temple Square. This hostel is probably a good choice for skiers or hikers who want a central base in SLC from which to go play outdoors.
The Location
It's very conveniently close to a downtown rail line (with inexpensive fare) that leads directly to Temple Square, the heart of Salt Lake City's downtown area. The property is pretty close to the convention center and the major shopping center that was recently built.
The neighborhood seems mostly light industrial, with a nearby car dealership and similar businesses. There is a spacious parking lot (which was blocked off and under construction during our three-night stay) on the property, with new landscaping (a few small fruit trees). The canary-yellow and royal-blue paint scheme is clearly visible from a block away, which is convenient when you're new in town. It's not very close to any visible places to eat or buy groceries, so guests without rental cars may have to walk a lot, or have a city map in advance to know where to take the rail line.
Security seems excellent, with an often-changed combination code on exterior doors (the manager emailed us advance notification of changes). Keys to individual rooms are placed in lock boxes outside the bedroom doors, with simple instructions on how to get keys out. In fact, there are copies posted everywhere of the hostel rules (about keys, towels, check-out time, and everything else) in case guests forget! Security personnel are all off-site, which could be a risk if someone tries to break in.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Our very small but well-furnished private bedroom has newish paint and framed posters on the walls as well as a new-looking bunk bed with comfortable mattresses and full linens. Other private rooms we saw have similar decorations (one has black velvet paintings!) and furniture.
Our ground-floor private room has adequate-sized clothing rod, desk fan, and small TV on table. Also it has small window overlooking the street, with decent drapes to block out streetlights.
The hostel has four shared bathrooms, all of which are fairly big compared to typical hotel bathrooms. Bathrooms have locking doors, adequate light bulbs, a mirror and shelf above sink, and closing shower compartments. Bathrooms have modern American plumbing.
Common Spaces
The galley-style common kitchen is just inside main entrance; it has a fridge, decent counter space, a cooking surface, and a small bench to sit on. The hostel does not have a gathering room with space to sit to watch TV, but there is a small room at the back of the building with free internet terminals. Although we stayed during a holiday weekend, there were not many guests, and not much social interaction.
Summary
This is a great budget accommodation as an alternative to the pricey big chain hotels adjacent to Temple Square. This hostel is probably a good choice for skiers or hikers who want a central base in SLC from which to go play outdoors.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
December 2011
Their Description
Camelot Inn & Hostel Details
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Camelot Inn & Hostel Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Love Utah Nice concept, not expensive! Really enjoy my stay. — Julien (2012-05-10) Excellent Love the self check in, even when there was an issue with my CCAF Arthur quickly resolved after a quick text. Showers were clean, nice kitchen area. Can hear everything that is going on as would be expected in small hostel such as this but I am heavy sleeper so I did not mind. Parking area outside is freshly concreted with nice privacy fence around. Very close to shopping. Stayed for 8 days, I will be coming back next year. — Anonymous , USA (2012-03-12) Fair Warning I found the place to be clean and cozy and the single room was a nice. However, if you end up with a room off the kitchen expect to stay awake late and rise very early as the other guests making meals are very loud and and they don't abide by the signs posting kitchen hours. If anyone does laundry late or early, as they did when I was there, then that will keep you up as well. I also found the room to be freezing (the room has no heating vents at all ... checked) and the bed blanket was way to thin for winter. My room did have a tv, however there was no cable and at best with what channels there were maybe 2 came in well enough to where I could actually see past the fuzzy quality. If you don't mind sleeping, watching tv, or being warm then this is the place for you. — christy , usa (2012-02-19) Canceled reservation We had confirmed reservation, but when we used the pin code for doors and wanted to check in, we found that our reservation was canceled because of problem with card. But nobody let us know! No email, nothing. When we called that stupid guy, we were asked to leave hostel immediately because we didn't pay and were not allowed to be inside ... very friendly indeed! Btw, people we met there were strange as well, so maybe we should be finally lucky. — eva mojzisova , czech republic (2011-09-11) Unemployed Douchebag Paradise RIght, you want to kick it with the guys? this is probably the place to do so. *Beer drinking unemployed douchebags. *video games. *homosexuals slipping notes under the door and harassing you. *you get kicked out if you complain. *Is more of a halfway house material than a hostel. *You will see a lot of people coming from shelters cause is so cheap and stay there. *You'll have all this sign about rules you have to comply to about dirty dishes and quite hours that nobody seems to care about. Not even management. *internet is always down and I usually prefer to go to the library internet is to slow. *the police has been known to be there looking for people. — Anonymous , Puerto Rico (2011-08-11) Quaint, friendly place to make you feel right at home. I've had about 5 stays here over the summer because I am doing field work with the U and am in town every other weekend. Camelot has become like a second home and it is so nice to come home to after extensive camping. The owner Arthur is so friendly and will treat you like an old friend. He will go out of his way to accommodate you and is loyal to returning guests. The rooms are quaint and are given character by multi-colored hues and different designed curtains and bedding. Blankets and a bath towel are provided. I love that there is a cable TV in each room. Most importantly, as a woman traveling alone I feel safe here because there is a private entrance code into the building, as well as security cameras, and two locks on the bedroom doors, one which can only be locked or unlocked from the inside. The check-in system on the computers is great because you never have to wait in line and can check in at any time. And if you have any concerns Arthur is just a phone call away and will promptly assist you with any needs. There are also signs all over the place which are so helpful to answer any questions. The kitchen is clean and well-equipped. The location is great, as well. It is within walking distance of Pioneer Park which is great for twilight concert series. There is also a Trax station just a block away. The other guests are nice and friendly, too, and it is comforting to know that no rude or shady characters will be tolerated. I highly recommend! — Jacquelyn , USA (2011-07-17) Like Staying @ a Local Prison this was the most horrible experience ive ever encountered, to many cameras/hidden microphones all over the house as well as to many signs/rules regulations an over-emphasis on converting to Mormon beliefs. Arthur is always finding ways to make un-authorized charges to your credit card {be careful} stray cats {Ferrel} running all over and under the house due to his mothers feeding and careless breeding. when booking or staying here please use extreme caution. — Anonymous , USA (2011-06-19) Great Hostel Experience I took care of my disabled brother so he could stay at the Hostel during a family reunion in SLC and Arthur was very flexible when I explained the circumstances and extended the stay beyond the original two days. Arthur was very helpful. During the entire stay, I my brother was safe and secure. Camelot is a clean environment with many bathrooms and very supportive kitchens. In my work as an analyst, I've stayed at ***** rated luxury Hotels that cost my company hundreds of dollars per night and I'd have to say the Camelot Inn had more amenities available to my brother than I'd ever saw. I was jealous! — Susan, California , USA (2011-05-25) Better than a Hotel. Everything about the service was excellent. It started from the first phone call and continued through until I checked out. The whole system is remarkable, the idea that I paid for my room, checked- in, got my key, my room, wifi, cable, and never met an employee makes this better than some overpriced hotels I have stayed in. Nobody was rude or unhappy working late at a front desk. The instructions and simple step by step process is so convenient to someone like me who needed a night in an affordable option while waiting to relocate for a new job. I called around and nothing was under $55, I simply was not in a position to pay that and I will not ever again in Salt Lake City knowing the Camelot is here. I really can say if you come to Salt Lake looking for safe, clean affordable options this is it. Thanks again. — Jason Nakonechni , United States (2011-05-24) Thank you Arthur, the owner, was glad to provide assistance during check in when I called him. He answered all of my questions and encouraged me to call again if I needed further assistance. I enjoyed my stay in the hostel. The room was clean and so was the kitchen, bathroom, and dining room. For the price, the service provided by this hostel is unbeatable. I was looking for peace and quiet to get some work done and I got plenty of that. And to top it off, I discovered a massage chair in the dining room which was quite relaxing. — Nabil , USA (2011-05-08) Can't beat the price close to salt lake temple, taco stands, and I-15. had a good stay. — Adan , u.s. (2011-05-04) Clean, Great Location, Safe, Nice Place To Stay I have stayed several times at the Camelot Inn Hostel. It is in a great location, with easy access to public transportation (TRAX & bus), shopping, downtown, and ski slopes. It is very clean, nicely decorated, has plenty of bathrooms, and has recently been remodeled, and is SAFE, with photo surveillance, and the price is affordable. I met some really nice fellow travelers there, and would highly recommend this Hostel to anyone traveling thru Salt Lake City. — Anonymous , USA (2011-04-30) Ok I was pretty satisfied with my stay at this hostel. I stayed at the one on 556 E 500 S. The only problems I experienced were the internet connection (it didn't always work) and someone (Mark) smoking in the basement. I think he actually worked for the owner but he would smoke sometimes although there is a rule against smoking in the house. I didn't like dealing with the smell. — Anonymous , USA (2011-04-22) Very clean, functional, affordable place to stay. I really enjoyed my three nights stay back in February at this hostel when I came for a skiing trip at Snowbird. The rooms are small but orderly and clean. The place is reasonably quite at night. The room was a little cold the first night but that was taken care of after I talked to one of the guys who worked there. I am new to hostels so I am not sure if this is standard but there was free stuff to use for cooking like oil, salt, pasta, and stuff. Even though I didn't use any of that, that was a very compassionate gesture. I would stay here again. I also liked the streamlined checking-in and checking-out system that could be done with zero personal contact with the people running the place. Very convenient. — Twin Cities Guy , US (2011-04-01) One of the best hostels I've stayed in! This hostel is extremely clean and safe. After looking at some of the other hostels in the area with scary reviews, I was very glad to have found this place. I could not have asked for nicer 'budget accommodations', it was cleaner than some hotels I've stayed at. This is a family run business and they were all very nice and helpful. I liked the self check in and the staff was pleasant and went out of their way to help me every time I called or asked for assistance. Also a great location, half a block from the train! Thank you for such a wonderful stay!! — Sarah P. , United States (2010-10-05)