Adelaide Hostel and Hotel

Tucked away in a cheery alley two blocks from Union Square is one of the friendliest hostels we’ve ever met. Offering affordable dorms and privates, comfy common spaces and a ton of cool extras, the Adelaide sets the hostel bar high.

The hostel’s private rooms are surprisingly spacious and (a bit) sophisticated, with dark brown headboards and dressers, framed floral prints and standard hotel bedspreads. Some also have a television. Private bathrooms also have the budget hotel look, with large brown tiles. Rooms face the back, overlooking a small garden, so all is pretty serene. Even the ground-floor double off the common room seemed noise-free.

The dorm rooms are simple but good-sized, with four, six or 10 metal bunks and pea-green walls. They are equipped with lockers and sinks. The basic shared bathrooms are cleaned three times a day, and linens and towels are both available free of charge.

When we visited the Adelaide on a beautiful day, we were surprised to find so many people indoors. That is, until we got the full scope of the hostel’s common room. Designated the “quiet common room,” this spacious parlour has the feel of your best friend’s living room, with framed city photographs hung on rosy-hued walls. We wanted to stick around sipping a free cup of tea while using the free Wi-Fi.

A chalkboard on the wall lists the week’s planned activities, which, during our visit, included a free walking tour and wine and cheese night. Nicola, our host, explained that the Adelaide also hosts open mic nights, karaoke and pub crawls.

The downstairs space, where activities take place, is a basic room with large tables and French doors leading into a guest kitchen that would make Martha Stewart jealous. It’s got two stoves under hanging pots and pans, a dishwasher, cubby holes to store your goods and even granite countertops. During our tour, the hostel chef was prepping the evening meal (served nightly for $5), and the stuffed beef concoction to be served that night looked delicious.

The Adelaide also offers several of free-to-use Internet stations, a book share, laundry facilities (with free detergent) and a fabulous breakfast (oatmeal, fresh fruit, bagels, nutella, coffee and tea), included in the room rate.

With all the events and the super social vibe, the hostel definitely caters to a young crowd, but it attracts guests of all ages and is a great budget pick for the unfussy “grown-ups” looking for cheap, central beds.