Providence Hostel and Guesthouse

I recently stayed in a five-person co-ed room on the third floor of this hostel. Alina, the owner, and John, the staff member, were very personable and provided a lot of helpful information about traveling in Rhode Island. I have stayed in many youth hostels, and I have never met more enthusiastic hostel staff than them. The room I stayed in had three portable folding beds and one bunk bed, and I slept in the lower bunk. Since I visited Providence during a quiet time of year, I only had one other roommate at a time in the room. There is space to store your personal belongings under the bed. However, some beds are not near electrical outlets, so you might want to bring an extension cord just in case. The room is well-ventilated, but noise can occasionally enter at night (mostly music and shouting), and the light can come through the blinds. If you're a light sleeper, I recommend bringing earplugs and an eye shade. The bed was comfortable, and the blanket and bedding smelled fresh. You can ask for extras if you feel chilly at night. While the room was clean and organized, I should note that it is essentially a small bedroom shared by five strangers, which is somewhat smaller than a standard-sized room. However, you get what you pay for. The hostel was said to have been established in the summer of 2016, and to me, it still feels relatively new. I enjoyed using the shared kitchen and living room, as they are quite well-equipped. I didn't cook during my stay, but I used the microwave, fridge, and electric kettle. I also appreciated that the kitchen supplies filtered water and has USB charging ports. When my charger broke during the trip, it was helpful not to have to buy a new one. There are two bathrooms shared among all guests. Since I visited during a quiet season, I never had trouble finding an available bathroom. The sign in the bathroom states that the bathrooms are cleaned three times a day, and judging by their cleanliness, I believe this is true. I especially appreciate that the lockers are located in the common areas and are within the range of security cameras. This provides extra peace of mind. I think more hostels should adopt this system, although thefts in hostels are still quite rare, to my knowledge. The hostel's location is very convenient. The train station is about a 20-minute walk. There are multiple bus stops within a minute’s walk, and if you prefer, you can walk 25 minutes to the plaza, where you can access additional bus lines. It’s an easy 30-minute walk to downtown Providence, where many entertainment options are available, or to the RISD Museum, which is a fantastic place to visit. Walking around the neighborhood feels safe—I walked near midnight and early in the mornings without feeling unsafe. The area is very convenient; there are several restaurants nearby, as well as a 24/7 7-Eleven. If you're willing to walk a bit further, you'll also find Whole Foods, Dunkin’ Donuts, and the Providence Place shopping mall. As the only hostel in Providence, it makes a strong impression as an affordable and convenient place to stay. If you don’t mind sharing a room at night and want to be close to everything in the city, I highly recommend this hostel.