Providence Hostel and Guesthouse

The owner and on-site manager were fantastic. They handled my questions and concerns quickly, which I really appreciated. The hostel was comfortable, with a nice living room where I could relax and plenty of pots and pans for cooking when I didn’t feel like eating out. It’s also in a great spot, just a short walk from downtown Providence. I’d recommend it if you’re looking to explore the city.

I’ve stayed in hostels in more than 50 countries and many other US states, and this place in Providence was the best stay I could have imagined. It’s a backpacker’s haven in a city I wouldn’t have expected. The price John offers is incredible for what you get, and I haven’t found another place in the whole area with all of these things. It felt safe, was meticulously clean, close to useful public transportation and popular sights, and had helpful travel advice posted around the place. Owner John is a super sweet guy, and as of July 2025 he had a wonderful volunteer, Aurora, working with him. I especially liked the detailed whiteboards full of interesting, useful travel info. There’s also a beautiful common kitchen and living room, spacious bedrooms, super comfortable beds, and high-quality AC. Thanks, John!

For a low-cost stay close to the city, I’d highly recommend this hostel if you’re okay sharing a room. As the only hostel in Providence, it makes a strong impression. The location is convenient: the train station is about a 20-minute walk, several bus stops are less than a minute away, and the plaza with more bus lines is a 25-minute walk. Downtown Providence and the RISD Museum are both an easy 30-minute walk. The museum is fantastic, and I felt safe walking around the neighborhood near midnight and early in the morning. There are restaurants nearby and a 24/7 7-Eleven. A bit farther away are Whole Foods, Dunkin’ Donuts, and the Providence Place shopping mall. I stayed in a five-person co-ed room on the third floor during a quiet time of year, so I had just one other roommate at a time. The room had three portable folding beds and one bunk bed, and I slept on the lower bunk. It’s a small bedroom shared by five strangers, smaller than a standard room, though you get what you pay for. There’s storage under the beds, but some aren’t near outlets, so an extension cord could come in handy. It was well ventilated, though music and shouting sometimes came in at night, and light came through the blinds. Light sleepers may want earplugs and an eye shade. The bed was comfortable, and the blanket and bedding smelled fresh. You can ask for extras if you get chilly. The room was clean and organized. The hostel is said to have opened in summer 2016, and it still feels relatively new to me. The shared kitchen and living room were well equipped. I didn’t cook, but used the microwave, fridge, and electric kettle. The kitchen has filtered water and USB charging ports, which was useful when my charger broke, since I didn’t have to buy a new one. There are two bathrooms for all guests. During the quiet season I never had to wait, and they looked clean enough that I believed the sign saying they’re cleaned three times a day. I also appreciated that the lockers are in common areas within camera range, which gave me extra peace of mind. Theft at hostels is still quite rare, as far as I know, but I think more places should use this setup. Alina, the owner, and John, the staff member, were personable and enthusiastic. They gave lots of helpful information about traveling in Rhode Island. I’ve stayed in many youth hostels and haven’t met more enthusiastic staff.

John was a wonderful host, and the house was comfortable and well kept. The location is ideal if you’re getting around on foot, right in central providence with plenty of public transportation. Had a wonderful stay, and I’d recommend this hostel to anyone visiting the area.