Boston Homestel

I booked with free cancellation and a few weeks before my stay some stuff came up where I wanted to cancel and then try to figure out if it still made sense to go for a rebooking. I realize that the cancellation ended in June, not July. I completely all that as my own mistake. I know from experience that sometimes places will be flexible on that sort of thing, so I reached out to ask if they would be willing to make an ex exemption and promised to return that I would rebook with them if I ended up going on this trip and then I would prioritize them for future trips. If they’d simply said no right away, that would have been completely fine. I would’ve chalked it up to my unfortunate mistake and I wouldn’t have reviewed them poorly for it. As it was, I got no response for over a week, despite messaging and following up through both their site and the Booking.com platform. When they finally responded, it was just to say that my cancellation window had closed and when I responded again re-clarifying my request. I never did get a response. Since it seems like cancellation wasn’t an option, I did not cancel. I received check-in instructions via Booking.com shortly before my stay (and well after I had reached out to them about possibly canceling). My card was charged. The app showed that my reservation was still active. I was pretty surprised when I showed up and was told that my reservation had been canceled. I was tired after a long journey. I had an active reservation on the app that I had paid for. At that point, they had been mildly apologetic and simply resolve the issue that also would’ve gone a long way. However, the staff member I talked with was adversarial, condescending, and dismissive. She initially denied that they hadn’t responded to my message promptly.

N/a

Location Not so comfortable. I don’t like the bed. Also, roommate insisted to open the window instead of turning on AC on a hot night.

Staff cleaned the hostel daily. They were welcoming and made the space feel like home. I was pleased with my stay, so I can't think of anything.

Location was accesible. Everything was clean.

I had to take stairs at the train station which was a little bit inconvenient (for those having large pieces of luggage)

It’s situated within a short walk of the JFK/UMass Station. It felt a little uncomfortable: a small room, an unstable bunk bed, an old-building smell, and a very tight 2nd bathroom.

Good Good

Facility is pretty old and sometimes "not very pleasant". Room is stuffing.

Clean Bathroom Rickety bunk beds made of metal that are dangerous. Staff that are extremely vindictive. Something of mine was stolen and I was denied the ability to store luggage or even check out late and get charged a fee (according to policy) because the manager felt offended that my item went missing and wanted to prevent a bad review. Doesn’t actually have real security- has cameras but will give you a difficult time asking any questions about them or any footage. Also not willing to diligently look into it. Just because they aren’t responsible or at fault for another person stealing doesn’t mean no one should say anything to them if it happens- if you get anything stolen they will kick you out for bringing it up if they don’t look into it. They’ll call the police on you for no reason if you get anything stolen and call you a trespasser and if you go in person- don’t ask about the home stay or work stay program- they’ll call you a freeloader if you ask to work a shift at all and will be misleading to you about it. It says urgently looking for people for the work stay but they aren’t. If you travel and stay at the hostel be careful- if you do the work to stay have a back up place to go because management will abuse you. It’s an abusive work to stay program. One of the management got offended I mentioned it was stolen and kicked me out because I asked about it and tried to instigate me to touch them by entering my personal space and asking what I’d do about it when I requested they leave my personal space. If you travel you will risk housing insecurity if you stay at this hostel for the work stay program.

Personally the noise of footsteps on the upper floor and the noise to close the door. I also, was not akin to the spacing.

Alex is the best

Communication with staff could be a bit easier, but they are very kind and helpful.

The staff was very communicative and was easy checking in.

Nothing Bunk bed for 3 seniors stupid

Really great staff Could charge you for leaving the bathroom a mess...how do you know it was me?

The staff was so good! She is very friendly and she told us the grocery store which we can buy food :) We can use kitchen freely, it was super helpful!! I’m visiting from Japan, and it felt amazing to finally take a shower with a movable shower head again. I’ve missed this so much!? “The walls in the room were pretty thin, and I could hear a lot of talking from the next room. But honestly, it became a fun little memory too.

It a good place

Heating in room

Staff were good, cleaning everyday There were a guest messy, dirty and disturbing. He should have been told to leave after the complaint, but he was not