U Street Capsule Hostel

The capsules looked impressive at first, but much of it turned out to be set dressing. There were no power outlets, just USB ports that only charged if I held the cable in place, so I resorted to charging my phone in bathrooms or common areas. My capsule had several holes, including a large section missing from the front that made getting in and out awkward, and it was pretty dirty under the mattress. Check-in was also confusing: download an app, link your passport, then get door codes before you can even enter the building. I know front desk hours are limited, but someone should be available to check guests in and explain where everything is. The showers were great, with strong, hot water, and my room's balcony was a nice surprise. The quieter mood can be good if you're looking to relax, and the cafe seems like a nice extra, especially for getting work done, though I didn't use it. I'm a young solo traveler hoping to meet people and have fun, so I was surprised this wasn't much of a social hostel. Most people I met were there for work. If you just want a few nights in a great location, though, it's a good option. Public transport is easy to reach, and U street is charming with great nightlife.

The staff were quick to help when I mentioned that the outlet in my capsule wouldn't charge my phone. They gave me a portable charger right away, then brought an extension cord so I could use it without trouble. The capsule was more spacious than I expected, comfortable, and had room for my belongings. Each room also has lockers and luggage storage. The hostel was always clean, and I felt safe throughout my stay. It's in a great neighborhood with everything I needed nearby, right next to the metro, which made getting around easy. Everyone on staff was friendly and proactive. I had a great stay at U Street Hostel and would definitely come back. Highly recommend!

I stayed in the female-only dorm, and everyone was respectful coming and going. The bed was clean and private, but nothing in my pod worked, which made it hard to charge my phone so I could use the metro and keep in touch with people. The capsules are plastic and practically falling apart. For the price, I was pretty disappointed with what I got, but it is what it is.

The self check-in setup is a mess. They require you to download an app, but that needs internet, and their internet wasn't working. There was nobody from the staff around to help, just other guests sharing what little they knew. The app says to call if you need help, but the number shown was 0. I had to go between different coffee shops looking for Wi-Fi, and it took over two hours to follow their instructions and get the app downloaded. In the end, another former guest used his own data on their iPad so people could check in. I wanted a refund, but couldn't even reach anyone about it. Imagine dealing with that in the middle of the night, when they advertise 24-hour self check-in. It's barely functional and there's no reception or staff to turn to. The capsule itself was grim too. The bed smelled, the plastic wall was damaged, and neither the reading lights nor the mirror light worked. There's no one to report problems to. The whole place feels like a plastic tomb, not something futuristic. The capsules look old and worn, and a lot of things are broken. You could buy something similar online for a reasonable price, and at least it would be new. I knew this hostel six years ago, when it cost $10-20, and it had already lost quality since my visit five years ago. Now the prices are much higher for the same old plastic beds and unreliable check-in. I stayed one night, thankfully. I can't recommend it anymore. Find somewhere safer and more reliable that offers quality worth the price. This felt like a scam. Don't fall for the futuristic capsule pitch.