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Bedbugs and drug addicts
I stayed there in October of 2016. It was the worst stay. There were bedbugs in all the rooms. It was full of drug addicts moving about, all hours of the night. It seemed like everyone was high or drunk. Even the staff. If you're looking for peace and quiet, you won't get it at green tortoise seattle.
Response from the accommodation:
Hi - we are sorry you had such a bad experience. I can assure you we take all necessary precautions to prevent bugs and treat them immediately if there is an outbreak. We treat all customers belongings and shut down the room until the problem is resolved. We definitely do not allow staff to drink or smoke marijuana while on the job - but often our staff hang out to party with guests because of the fun atmosphere. As for drug addicts, we do not allow anyone to stay at the hostel with whom we ourselves would not share a room. We try our best to screen guests when they come in. We also provide ear plugs at the front desk for free if you need some more quiet.
Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle located right across from the famed Pike Place markets, is a lively, friendly, and central hostel.
The Location
Not even one minute walk to two sightseeing attractions in Seattle: The Pike Place Market, and the first Starbucks store, and a little more than 5 minutes from the light rail "University Street" station. Starbucks, Subway, and mini-marts all also located with a one or two minute walk. Approximately 25 minutes to the Space Needle on foot (almost 2 kilometers) and 30 minutes to the Museum of Flight (5 minutes walk, 25 minutes bus ride on #24).
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorm rooms are quite spacious with the 4 bed mixed dorm having room for an extra desk and a couple of chairs along with luggage. Each bed has two power points, a lamp, and a set of curtains giving you peace of mind about your electronic devices and having a good nights sleep. There is some extra noise on nights when there are theater performances around the corner but overall the noise level is surprisingly low for its location. Security is also top-notch, with card only access into the dormitory area and then again into the individuals room, along with large under-bed lockers which can be locked with your own regular combination/pad lock. Can be annoying having to take the card every time you want to go to the toilet or have a shower, however. Wi-Fi is good throughout the building, in both common areas and dorms.
Bathrooms were neither old nor modern but are kept clean every day. There are only a few bathrooms per level, however, and the toilets are mostly combined with the showers meaning it can be hard to get to the toilet in the morning 'rush hour'. No complementary shampoo or soap is provided so don't forget your own.
Common Spaces
Large communal kitchen with fridges and many appliances with free buffet complimentary breakfast every day and free dinner three times a week. There are several computers with free internet access and many tables with power-points scattered throughout the common areas. A large dining area with some sofas with a great view of the mountains, and a game room which has a Foosball table and hosts movie nights make up the common areas. Also an events board with a sign up sheet for weekly events such as a day-trip to Snoqualmie falls, walking tours, and even performances.
Summary
One of the best, well-rounded hostels in Seattle located right in the center of downtown.
Miss it, love it.
I loved staying at the Green Tortoise. I was wondering if you still have the glorious open mic nights. And if I do a show there can I stay a night free? My friends there do poetry and music shows with the Vancouverite, poets and musicians. I wish we could all do that again.
Response from the accommodation:
Thank you so much for the great review! We do not currently have any open mic nights, but we have a lot of other free events going on!
Green Tortoise Seattle offers a lot of character and a location that cannot be beat.
The Location
One of Seattle's most famous tourist attractions, The Pike Place Market, is located literally a stones throw away from the Green Tortoise. In fact, guests have a great view of the market from the common room and kitchen area. The hostel is very easy to locate and guests arriving from the airport can take a local bus into town before walking ten minutes to the hostel.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Beds in the Green Tortoise are equipped with privacy curtains, fans, outlets, and reading lights. The idea of privacy curtains was very welcomed as it allowed guests to turn on the lights without greatly disturbing others. Luggage storage is served by under-bed containers that can be secured with personal locks. Ample space is available for backpacks or medium- to large-sized suitcases. Dorms hold four to eight guests and private rooms are also available.
Bathrooms at the Green Tortoise are shared, but remained absolutely spotless. It appears that the bathrooms are cleaned several times daily and are some of the best offered by hostels with great water pressure and temperature control.
Common Spaces
The Green Tortoise lobby opens up into a common room area with multiple functions. To one side lies the kitchen, which is open for guest use and contains all the necessities for cooking on the road. The common room also contains seating for meals, a computer area (free Wi-Fi), and a television with couch seating. A book exchange and free use guitar are also on this level. The Green Tortoise also has a designated smoking lounge on this main floor.
The Green Tortoise exudes character from the decorations in the main common room to the Jimi Hendrix wall mural in the smoking lounge, which also features old-school pinball machines. The hostel has a very social vibe and allows for maximum guest interaction.
Summary
The only downfalls noted during a visit to the Green Tortoise would be some of the clientele it attracts -- unlike at most hostels, there is no maximum stay limit. Some guests encountered during a stay at the GT had been living at the hostel for quite some time. Also, the hostel allows work exchange programs and some interesting characters seemed to frequent the hostel. This might also be associated with rumors of its 420 friendliness in the smoking lounge, although this was not verified.
Overall, the Green Tortoise offers an unbeatable location to explore Seattle in a lively atmosphere at a great price. The hostel is very clean and has spotless bathrooms. Other important benefits include free breakfast (all-you-can-make pancakes, eggs, toast, and fruit) and a hostel dinner served three times weekly. One free dinner consisted of spaghetti, salad, steamed vegetables, and garlic bread -- a great value for the budget traveler!
A real mixed bag
It was initially shocking; getting charged over $30 a night, for a cramped dorm room. The bathrooms and common areas were very clean. The free breakfast was nice. I also enjoyed the free dinner. I met some cool people, but got very little sleep. The next morning, I rented a private room at a hotel, for about $20 more.
Response from the accommodation:
Hi there. Sounds like you had a pretty good time but were upset about the price? We are glad you enjoyed the free meals. Hotels in downtown Seattle start at about $150/night and a meal is $10-$20, so it is a great deal for the area. Seems like you found a killer deal on a private room, though. Cheers
Great place
Friendly staff, nice location, free wifi, GREAT kitchen, clean big showers, and a nice, big common area. The beds have their own curtains which is nice, I'd stay there again any day.
Response from the accommodation:
Thanks!
More expensive now -- but much cleaner, no smoking/drugs Fall 2008.
I was there a few years ago, and stayed one night only. The area you must be cautious in at night -- but i walked to and from the gay area up to 10 p.m. Check bus schedules and make sure you know where you are going. The police station is up in the gay area, with plenty of late night cafes and restaurants -- it is less safe from there downtown.
A Great Place
Location Couldn't be better. I walked to this hostel from the Westlake Center at 10 p.m. and though I passed a couple of dodgy-looking people, I felt completely safe. Morning, noon, and night, I felt secure and at ease. Accommodations Great! The bunk beds were thoughtfully fitted with a reading light and a fan, each bunk bed had a storage locker for luggage and curtains to give you a little bit of privacy. Overall, things were quite clean. The staff was very busy in the mornings and afternoons, but were as attentive as they could be. Value Fantastic! Free internet, breakfast included every morning (not just pancakes), some free dinners. I would recommend this place to my friends and I will definitely stay there again the next time I'm in Seattle!
Super helpful staff! Lots of amenities, enjoyed having the lounge, and so close to Pike Place Market!
This hostel was an incredible find! The location is amazing, right next to the Pike Place Market. All the staff are super friendly and approachable. The rooms all have huge lockers for each bed & the beds have curtains that pull all the way around for privacy. Plenty of lockable private bathrooms with showers near the rooms. Kitchen equipped with ovens, multiple fridges and food storage areas, and the free breakfast was a great bonus :)
This was my first time in a hostel in almost 15 years. So glad it was at the Green Tortoise. The location is incredible for a first time visitor to Seattle. Check in and out was simple and I could leave my bag after check out since my flight was later. The one thing is each bed has a fan, which is great, but they desperately need to be cleaned. Will visit again in the future!
Was such a nice hostel, they do daily and evening activities. The beds are very comfortable and have own curtains for privacy. The location is really good also, definitely recommend!
Best hostel I've ever stayed at! Super clean and helpful friendly staff. Definitely very bustling and busy, but good affordable way to visit Seattle.
Overall this was a great place to stay! The homelessness in the area was not a significant security concern, and the hostel was in a generally great location for tourists. Would definitely recommend staying here. As a plus, the staff are super nice, and if you forget a towel you can rent one!
Excellent location; right outside the market.
Great staff.
Incredible location, really cozy old school feel, so many fun events going on all the time, both within the hostel and outside events posted around the common area - this hostel is all you need to have a great time in Seattle.
Love this place, and would easily stay there again. They put on social events every day such as free beer parties and ice cream socials, and have free breakfast. The staff was friendly and gave good recommendations for local nightlife and coffee shops. The common space has a piano, tv, and many books. I met some great people staying at this hostel and am lucky to have found this great spot.
This place is the best. They even had free beer the night I stayed!
Sophia killed it at check-in, gave our party free drinks upon arrival and got us sorted in our room real quick. This is a pretty great spot I've stay a couple times now. Location can't be beat, serves breakfast, lots of common area space, quiet rooms, and hosts many events. My only nit is that the blanket provided was essentially a scratchy horse blanket.
Very clean, located really close to some of the main tourist attractions like the pike public market, gum wall and waterfront
It's a very well located hostel, near the sporting venues, some attractions and a lot of bars and nightclubs by foot. The staff is very helpful and diverse and you can meet people from everywhere.
I strongly reccomend it.
The fact that the staff is friendly and helpful. The rating I will be given uncleanliness in such I can't say much. I arrived very late slept, and left early in the morning.
Great downtown location by Pikes Market. The dorms are a bit small but I liked the curtain privacy. Its a busy place and has a crowded feel. Staff were great.
This was my first time to stay in a hostel and it was perfect! The individual bathrooms with showers were clean and always available when I needed one. The staff was friendly, helpful and plentiful. The beds are very private with the curtains and individual lights. Breakfast was a real bonus too. The guests were very companionable and pleasant to be around. The location right across from the Public Market Center was great and having a Target next door came in handy too. Tour of the Market-great!
Very good hostel! Staff were very nice and professional. The location is fantastic, close to transit stations, the Public Market, and the Waterfront
The Green Tortoise is just terrific! Everything is a 10+ and the staff are very intuitive to other people's needs. Thank you so much, Sophia, for relocating this 'senior' to the 1st floor without my having to ask. You helped me a lot in every way. Take care now!
Great location, right downtown by the pier market. The staff were very friendly and the faculties were good also, the dorm space is a little cramped but im a big guy so thats to be expected. Great value for your dollar though! Would recommend!!
Super affordable and accessible but you definitely get what you paid for. The frontdesk guy is so rude to me (youre lucky i forgot your name), he doesnt want to give me the lower bed. And the hostel stinks!
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Address: 105 1/2 Pike Street, Seattle, Washington, USA
+50 Traveller
Digital Nomads
Party Hostel
Quiet Rest
Solo Traveller
Bedsheets
Breakfast
City Tours
Dinner
Lockers in Lobby
Lockers in Rooms
Luggage Storage
Pub Crawls
Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons
Wi-Fi in Rooms
Bike Rental ($15/ 3 hours)
Parking ($18/day)
Towels ($1 rental)
24 Hour Security
ATM
Board Games
Cable TV
Clothes Dryer
Concierge/Info Desk
Credit Card Payments
Cultural Tour/Class
Currency Exchange
Evening Entertainment
Food/Restaurant
Gameroom
Hair Dryers
Hot Showers
Kitchen
Laundry
Lounge Area
Movie Library/Rental
Power Point/Sockets by Each Bed
Power Point/Sockets in Rooms
Privacy Curtains for Each Bed
Walking Tours
Airport Pickup
Entirely Non-Smoking
Wheelchair Accessible
Pet-Friendly
Checkout: 11:00 (11 AM)
Curfew: No Curfew
Lockout: No
Maximum Stay: 1 month
Minimum Stay: 1 night
Open Dates: All Year
Reception Hours: 24 Hours
Size: Very Large (100+ beds)
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