Hostel Review: Baltimore, MD USA – HI Baltimore Hostel

The Hostelling International Baltimore Hostel Is…Well…Charming!

But beyond that, it was overall just a really great place to stay for a couple of nights with nice rooms and facilities, friendly staff, a good kitchen (and brownstone patio to scromp down that food on), and easy access to the city.

I stayed at HI Baltimore in middle September, so the weather was perfect. Met some amazing folks at breakfast (from France, NY, and Germany, respectively…) and the four of us spent the next 12 hours hoofing it around all the corners of Baltimore.

1. Location — What’s Around The Hostelling International Baltimore Hostel

The hostel is pretty central to accessing anything touristy you want. The Baltimore Inner Harbor and all that it offers is only a short walk away. There are also many museums and markets in the immediate area, and the world-renowned Walters Art Museum only two blocks away.

Combine with that the free bus routes that run consistently on different tracks around the city, and you have access to pretty much everything the city offers! Make sure you check out Graffiti Alley, where you can actually buy some cans and spray away to your heart’s content!

2. Friendliness & Staff

All of the staff at HI Baltimore were very friendly and helpful. I had actually made my reservations for the entirely wrong week, so we had to figure that out and make the fixes and whatnot, and they were very helpful. Luckily there was space for me!

It’s also always important to watch the staff interactions in very international cities. Even with lots of guests with language differences, all that I saw was a very helpful staff and outgoing behavior. I had a few conversations here and there with the staff in passing as well, and it was just really chill.

3. Atmosphere & Ambiance At The HI Baltimore Hostel

Going back to the way this hostel is decorated, it’s just really unique. Kind of shabby chic with things adorning the walls everywhere, combined with the actual architectural embellishments typical of the Baltimore landscape, it’s just a really neat space. Love the prominent pride flag in the window, which immediately signals a very open mindset to the joint.

They also have a back-alley porch space that’s private and secluded, which tended to get pretty good groups of people during meal times, just eating and interacting. It was cool to sit and chill between two 4-story brick buildings, with just slivers of sky peeking through. One of the more unique hostel spots I’ve enjoyed.

Wish I had realized it earlier in my stay there! (Hostel rules: Always explore first thing!)

4. Public Transit Options In Baltimore

Again, Baltimore has a really robust free bus service that caters to most of the city. But keep in mind that with “free” comes the reality that anyone can ride at any time. That means buses can get really packed, and sometimes with folks just looking for a place to find shelter as opposed to really using it for the ride. Also, during rush hours, they were seriously packed.

Combine with the bus system the Baltimore Link Rail system, and you’ll be able to get anywhere. And as a design nerd that loves maps, I completely lost myself in their awesome circular map design!  Getting to and from the airport was easy on the rail, and payments at kiosks were quick and simple.

5. Hostel Beds & Comfort

This is an older hostel, so you come to expect a little more character in the place. But the beds were really comfortable, and mine actually had two pillows! Merry Christmas! I’m not sure what that was all about, but it was definitely a treat!

I was in a 6 person coed dorm which also happened to have an en-suite bathroom/shower, which I always find really great. Especially since I find that most people police themselves better when they know their bunkmates would be able to tell if they’re a slob, haha.

6. Cleanliness At The Hostelling International Baltimore Hostel

I felt like this HI Baltimore hostel was very clean, even though it’s an older building, which always creates a struggle. Rooms were taken care of daily, regardless of whether it was a busy day/week or not. All of the common areas were very clean, and all of the seating felt well taken care of.

The back patio area had a devoted smoking area, which meant that it also had a devoted non-smoking area, which I found nice, especially when eating meals outside.

7. Workability In The Hosteling International Baltimore Hostel

I work a lot when I travel, and this old man needs a back to his chair and a quiet place to work to be able to get anything done.

Of course, there are also games, darts, and areas for other types of play. But if you have headphones you’re solid. And on the main level, there are good tables/chairs and plenty of power.

There is also a computer and printer for use by guests, which is always a nice touch. Combine these things with free coffee all day and you can get some serious work done if you need to! WIFI was very solid too!

8. Events & Socializing At The Hostel

The HI Baltimore hostel has an awesome handwritten weekly event calendar. It not only includes hostel events, but almost more importantly is a go-to for community offerings from happy hours to markets, or free admission days at museums. Great for solo travel!

The hostel did have quite a few events in-house specifically for guests, including free breakfasts, dinners, and other events. Unfortunately the couple of days I happened to be there were blank, so I didn’t get to attend. But given the friendliness of everyone, I’m sure they would be a blast! I do believe this was a dry hostel, so leave your beers at the door!

READ NEXT: Sometimes Solo Travel Can Suck – Here’s How To Make It Suck Less

9. Free Stuff At The HI Baltimore Hostel

Hosteling International Baltimore did offer some free perks, like pancake breakfasts in the morning hours and coffee and tea all day long. There was a community breakfast lined up for the day after I left which was actually vegetarian so I was super bummed to miss it! Again, this is a dry hostel, so don’t expect any drinking events!

10. Overall Value

With dorm bed prices in the $30-35+ range, the rates are solid for a bigger city. Combined with some free breakfasts and meals, that makes the Hostelling International Baltimore Hostel a pretty solid deal. Use the free buses around town and the event calendar to find free museum days or other cheap events, and you can make a fairly good budget trip out of it!

Cheers!
— Jason

About Jason Robinson

Jason is the author of “The Beginner Traveler’s Guide To Going Nomad,” as well as the voice behind the words and the eye behind the lens for The Nomad Experiment. “Planning to travel at some point” wasn’t actually getting the job done, so nearing 40 he decided to make it a priority, nomatter how scary that was. A few years later—through the pandemic and a type 1 diabetes diagnosis at age 42—now living a life of nomadic travel, he’s speaking out to encourage others of any age, or with any serious medical diagnosis, to live an unconventional life.

Get The Book