San Luis Obispo Hostel

The bed was comfortable, and the staff and location were wonderful. This is a hostel, so bathrooms and showers are shared. I enjoyed the stay, though light sleepers will probably want earplugs, a fan, or something else to cover the noise.

The front desk person was very friendly and went out of their way to help us. Still, we felt exposed on the ground floor, with no hallway between our room and the shared area. The room was tiny and uncomfortable for three women, and there was almost no privacy because the wall between the bedroom and communal space was paper thin. The atmosphere felt intense. Basic things were missing from the room too: lamps, a rug, a blanket, a towel rack, and anywhere to sit.

For a hostel, the place and stay were fine. The trouble was the daily closure from 11 to 4, when guests literally can't be there. Five hours in the middle of the day is a long stretch. I was tired from traveling and had hoped to rest in bed, but couldn't. I probably wouldn't stay more than one night.

The staff were nice, but I was very disappointed they wouldn't refund me when I didn't like the room. I paid $180 for a private room, then learned on arrival that the bathroom was shared. I asked for my money back right away, but the manager refused, saying the Priceline ad hadn't promised a private bathroom. At that price, I wanted one. The walls were paper thin, and by 6:30 in the morning the shared bathroom toilet was clogged and stinky. I left immediately. Bring a plumber, since the ad doesn't say the toilet works.