ITH Colive Balboa Park

The rooms were clean and the kitchen was spacious. Whenever something came up, the staff looked into it right away. Audrey, Kayla, and another lovely young woman were especially helpful when I was there, always smiling and friendly, with no attitude. Things happened during my stay, but I still had a great experience. I appreciate that a place like this exists where people can come together and socialize.

The bedrooms were clean, with plenty of storage, and there were lots of showers. New activities were organized every day, and the people I met, along with the staff, were wonderful. I made a lot of new friends and miss everyone. It’s a great place to live and meet people, with a fantastic atmosphere and amazing staff. Thanks to all the residents and staff for being so kind and providing excellent service.

For a first hostel stay, this was a lot of fun. We met loads of friendly, excitable people and enjoyed sharing meals and time together. The rooms were reasonably well kept, and the bathrooms were cleaned constantly. There was also a lovely quiet space, and the price was great.

I met some great people here, and the manager seems to care about the place, which is why I’m giving it two stars. Cleanliness and maintenance were serious problems, though, and I felt undervalued as a paying guest. The tiny rooms didn’t get a deep clean beyond having the beds turned over. Bathrooms often ran out of toilet paper and soap, while clogged toilets led to taped off stalls and a terrible smell that lingered because the ventilation was poor. Common area fridges were never cleaned, and mold in the pantry ruined several of my food items. I don’t want to blame the staff, who are mostly great people, but the upkeep is lacking. Several other guests I spoke with shared my concerns. It’s an okay option for the price, but the infrastructure and staff work ethic need improvement.