Newman House Hostel

The other guests were quiet, mature, and respectful of my space and things, and the host was welcoming and knew a lot about Saint John's history and attractions. I stayed for a couple of nights in early July 2017 while relocating to Saint John. There was plenty of tourism material to look through, and it made a great first place to stay while I got my bearings. I'll always be grateful for the hospitality.

The finished little apartment I stayed in was lovely and cozy, even though the property was under construction at the time. This place is close to downtown, or uptown as Saint John calls it, and just a stone's throw from the maritime bus drop-off. The proprietor is super nice and has lots of information about Saint John and New Brunswick, so just ask. Maps and city guides are available, and the self-guided walking tour brochure is worth asking for. All three tours are excellent. I'd definitely stay again.

I canceled my reservation because of the owner's rude correspondence, not because of any stay at the hostel. I had booked well in advance for an early flight the next morning, then politely asked about late check-in. The reply said late check-in wasn't possible, which I could understand since not every hostel can accommodate it. What upset me was how rudely the owner communicated that answer.

After a 50-hour flight, I was grateful the owner stayed up until 3 a.m. so I could check in. I had the room to myself and didn't feel I needed to use the locker, though one is available if you bring your own lock. There's a fridge, fleece blankets, sheets, and other amenities, and the room has two sets of bunk beds and its own thermostat. The lounge has catalogues about New Brunswick and bus routes. It's about a 5-10 minute walk to what seemed to be the only mall open on Sunday, and roughly the same distance to a bus stop. I recommend the place to anyone visiting Saint John for the first time; it's an affordable way to see the area. I clearly had a misunderstanding with the owner and seem to have left her with hurt feelings. I don't know how to apologize, but I guess you live and learn. This is my review without bias, for other customers.