Hostel Buffalo-Niagara

I spent two weeks here and really enjoyed my stay. It's a charming, eclectic boutique hostel, and the hard-working staff do a great job keeping it up and making it welcoming. You're right in downtown Buffalo, within walking distance of theatres, restaurants, and cafes, and not far from Niagara Falls. I took the bus to the falls for a $4 round trip. Well worth it!

Buffalo Hostel is a gem, and I've stayed twice already. I look forward to coming back. It's brilliantly convenient in the downtown core and 100% clean, with an arty, funky feel that welcomes you and celebrates this fine city. The staff are friendly, proud ambassadors who know loads about the city. It's a joy to hang out with them in the eating area or lobby. Whatever your age or income, the Hostel offers value and comfort that's priceless. I also love that it brings travelers and diverse cultures together, with everyone treated with respect and appreciation.

The only slight drawback is having just one bathroom per floor, which can be challenging at busy times. Otherwise, the beds are clean and comfortable, the place has a unique vibe in Downtown Buffalo, and the people running it are great. Bus routes connect the hostel well to the airport and Niagara Falls. I'll definitely stay again when I'm in or around Buffalo, and would recommend it.

We came by train from Northern California to see whether Buffalo might suit us as a place to move, and the Hostel Buffalo stay definitely helped us picture living there. My friend and I shared the women’s dorm and found the whole place warm, clean, and communal. It’s not a Ritz, but that wasn’t what we were after. The kitchen had what we needed for cooking, and the shared bathroom was clean. The showers had two privacy curtains, and guests were asked to clean up after using them, which felt like a nice shared effort. Our beds and pillows were clean and fine for sleeping. The blankets were light, but the room heating worked well even with it around 35°F outside. The heater did bang on loudly and sometimes woke us, though that comes with an old, lovely building. Service made a real difference. There usually wasn’t anyone in the lobby, but the help button always worked. When we couldn’t find local bike rentals, staff lent us a couple of sturdy hostel bikes for free, and we rode around town for five hours. We left a $40 donation so they can keep offering that. You can see how much care people put into this place, and the stay strengthened our feeling that Buffalo could be a nice city to work and call home.