BootsnAll Travel Community

A buddy and myself are in the early stages of planning an early spring 2 week road trip( so early we do not know wether to go east or west). While looking at hostels in LA I got the impression that they want only foreigners in hostels.Is this true? Anybody had any experience with this? We have lots of friends to stay with on the way to either coast but are in a pickle when we get to either LA and SF or NYC or Baston. We both went to europe a year ago and are ready for a little break from life and are ready to reconnect with some fellow travelers. Being as how we just endured a hellish winter we are probably thinking west. Any suggestions?

I'm American and I stayed at the HI in Seattle with no problem. I even shared a room with a bunch of other Americans. Can't say what the deal is in LA... maybe the hostel just wants to keep up some kind of globally diverse image?

I think the real issue is that they do not want locals. I think that the USA Hostels want you to have a foreign passport as well as travel documents so they can keep homeless and street people out. I just came back from staying at the HI in Santa Monica and San Diego. They both wanted out of state licenses. Both great hostels by the way.

Have no problem staying at the NYC hostel whenever I have early bike races ...

I just stayed in a private hostel in NYC and I was the only American there. Kind of nice, actually. I met a lot of interesting people from around the world. Everyone's taking advantage of the exchange rate and doing some serious shopping. It's fun to hear them say how cheap NYC is.

The big hostel in Chicago (what was it called, BBill, or others, that we all stayed at a couple summers ago? Arlington House or something like that?) didn't allow locals to stay. It was for sure at least Chicago residents, but I think it was all Illinois-ians that weren't allowed to stay. But everyone else was ok. I think it's just to keep the place as a "travellers" lodging, and not just a cheap bed for whomever.

Its pretty bad when a hostel doesn't want members of its own state to sleep in a warm place, and what bums have the 15 dollars a night for the hostels anyways? This is crazy. does that mean that the Philadelphia hostel has no place for me?

Thats an interesting thought.

Then again, I never even looked for the hostel in my home city!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Tortuga_traveller:
Then again, I never even looked for the hostel in my home city!!!!!

Exactly.... I think that's part of the mentality. If you're local, you're more likely to have other options. And the hostel wants to cater to visitors. I'm not so sure I agree with it, but I guess I see where they're coming from.

Hostels in LA are very strict about having to be an internationl traveler to stay there only because if they weren't they'd have every wannabe actor, writer, rapper, whatever staying there till they found a real place to live. LA is unique in that way being the heart of the entertainment industry. With the amound of people that come out in droves each week to make it in the entertainment industry there would literally be no space for the international traveler backpacking around looking for cheaper accommodation. They have to set some kinda of rules to keep it more geared toward the international traveler. That being said they aren't trying to exclude American travelers who are true travelers and usually can make exceptions if the person is a college student from out of state, someone out of state who is obviously a backpacker traveling around as opposed to a local who just wants a cheap place to stay, or if somoene just came from backpacking overseas and has stamps in their passport to prove this. Hostels in LA are very very busy all year round due to the weather always being good, having a major international airport, and being a highly desirable city to visit. Because of this they tend to be full or close to capacity and can afford to be picky on their guidelines for guests. Usually places like the HI chain let everyone in because they are so big that they always have space and cannot afford to turn anyone away even if it's a homeless bum. I've stayed at hostels where there are sketchy locals and I always wished I was in a room with someone else.

Hotels (not hostels, it's not a typo)....hotels across the USA are very affordable, even for the backpacker with the tightest budget. You just have to know how to look and how to work the system to your benefit.

Using sites like Expedia or Orbitz are fine, but there's also other sites like HotelsCheap.org that can help you find a decent cheap place to stay. I know the trill of staying in a hostel, and meeting the real gritty travelers--I did that all throughout Europe--but in the US, you are able to kick it up a notch.

As you travel across the US, a good trick is to try and stay at the same hotel company (i.e. Holiday Inn). As you continue to patronize the hotel, you'll be offered discounts and upgrades.

The big key to remember is that when you check in, ask if there are any free upgrades. If that Presidential Suite is vacant for the night, it could be yours...

And no matter how low on funds you are, always remember to tip--instant karma!

By the way, sunny1782 if you are 26 or younger, you can use STATravel.com. You'll get info on cheap flights, hotels, tours, etc. It's great for the student traveler...if you are one.

My Let's Go book mentions that some hostels (especially ones on the West Coast) ask for a passport with international stamps.

I guess this means you can be an American citizen as long as you're also a global traveler.

Seems kinda elitist to me but I guess they're looking for a certain vibe.

The biggest concern is keeping street people and junkies out of the hostels. It`s a valid concern, as rentals usually require references, a time commitment, and a deposit. Many, if not most, US hostels require a passport and often a non-local address. I´ve stayed at local hostels in Minneapolis (my home in the US), using a passport when my roommate has special company. My South Korean resident card, even though five years old, usually helps too.

It is indeed a valid concern. Trekker can attest to it.
(I believe that it has to do w/ legal issues re: evictions)

I have encountered this problem in Los Angeles. I'm not sure if every hostel has the same policy, however.

There are other fairly cheap and fun options where you can meet travelers etc. I have stayed at Venice on the Beach Hotel, right on the water and reasonably priced. Walking distance to nightlife etc. Check it out. Go on westsiderentals dot com and scroll down. They also own some similar places in Hollywood if that's more your scene.

Please post what you find out it it's of interest.

Come to think of it, th NYC hostel asks for a passport as well.

They don't like drivers licences as much, though they were happy with my out of state PA licence. They might not have been happy with a NYS licence!!!