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Charleston's NotSo Hostel: Traveler Reviews


156 Spring Street, Charleston, SC 29403

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70% Recommend
4.0 of 5 stars 59 reviews
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The Fantastic NotSo Hostel!

Charleston's NotSo Hostel

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5 of 5 stars
DelfinJES   1 contribution
Arhus, Denmark
Dec 21, 2008 | Trip type: Solo travel
1
person found this review helpful

If you choose to go to the NotSo Hostel in Charleston you shouldn’t go there only because it’s a cheap place to stay. You shouldn’t go there because of the quality either.

You should go there because of both!

The NotSo Hostel is packed with charm – the old buildings are kept in good shape and most of the walls and doors are decorated with unique paintings, which contribute to the NotSo Hostel’s cosy atmosphere. It’s pure art! 23 bucks is the price for one night in the dorm, which is of excellent standard taking the price into consideration. The bath is neat and clean, and the standard is way beyond what I’ve seen elsewhere in this price range.

The staff is kind and helpful to a degree I haven’t seen before. Questions about what to see in the area is answered in a way which is best described as ”enthusiastically”, and it is obvious that their primary concern is to make sure that you have a good time during your stay.

Therefore: I had planned to spend one day in Charleston and to stay at the NotSo Hostel for one night. I ended up staying there for four nights – simply because I had one of my best times there!

The conclusion: If you get the chance to go there – don’t hesitate; do it and get an experience you’ll never forget!

- Kristoffer, Denmark

  • Liked — The atmosphere
  • Disliked — Nothing!
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 4 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
  • Date of stay November 2008
  • Visit was for Other
  • Traveled with Solo traveler
  • Age group 18-24
  • Member since November 27, 2007
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Great pool scene
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Museums / Cultural / Historical sites, Outdoor / Adventure
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Surprisingly Perfect

Charleston's NotSo Hostel

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5 of 5 stars
ILikeQualityTravel   1 contribution
Le Rocher, Monaco
Nov 28, 2008 | Trip type: Business, Solo travel
1
person found this review helpful

Shifted route East away from my intended DC destination. Good luck took me to Charleston - an awesomely charmed place. My only contact there was not 'contactable' so seeking a roof, this hostel (the only hostel in SCarolina - eventually an unnecessary cause for concern) entered my possibilities. Having called to speak with a lovely sounding staffer who said she'd be there awaiting me, when i arrived I found a homely and spacious house - Old American - run by the friendliest and most accommodating hosts imaginable. The dorm i used was shared and besides the snoring girls : ) it was good as home, clean and thankfully well-maintained. The showers were in attractive volcanic rocked floor and walls. There's a big space behind the front building providing opportunity for good fires, freedom and parking - and again the Staff personally exceeded all expectations, which gifted the entire atmosphere with an ease and familiarity which all my fellow guests benefited from greatly, being able to be equally social or reclusive. This place proved to be the cornerstone of the greatest part of my road trip, my time in Charleston. I couldn't have gotten a better deal - You can't go wrong - It's good now just knowing its there.

  • Liked — the staff
  • Disliked — that i had to pay
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
  • Date of stay November 2008
  • Visit was for Hobbies / interest / culture
  • Traveled with Solo traveler
  • Age group 18-24
  • Member since November 28, 2008
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for Young singles, Girlfriend getaway, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Great pool scene
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Beach / Sun, Museums / Cultural / Historical sites, Business meeting / Event, Outdoor / Adventure, Great food / Wine, Shopping, Concerts / Music festival, Other
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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good place, good people, good city

Charleston's NotSo Hostel

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5 of 5 stars
Nurbski   1 contribution
out and about
Nov 26, 2008 | Trip type: Solo travel

This hostel was particularly welcoming and intimate. The workers were very kind and easy to talk to, and the accommodations were great. The dorm had only four beds (two bunks), and everything was clean and in order. I would recommend this hostel to anyone passing through Charleston, SC.

Neil Urbanski

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
  • Date of stay November 2008
  • Visit was for Hobbies / interest / culture
  • Traveled with Solo traveler
  • Age group 18-24
  • Member since November 26, 2008
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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It was like home!

Charleston's NotSo Hostel

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4 of 5 stars
MBMVashonisl   1 contribution
Vashon Island
Oct 7, 2008
1
person found this review helpful

I stayed in this hostel for 10 days and the last four were in the Cuba room which was perfect. On the main floor and next to the kitchen which served for three other rooms and was well implemented for cooking my meals. It had a porch and place to sit outdoors. It was quiet and the bed comfortable.

The staff there were helpful and dedicated to having the hostel clean and welcoming. I had to check out by 10:00am but was able to leave my things there and picked them up at 6:30. I was confused about where to get the city bus and Blythe, as usual, patiently and clearly sorted me out.

Was also easy to catch the bus into town everyday if I wanted to.

I am looking forward to returning in the Spring as I found the city enchanting as well as the hostel homelike, comfortable and welcoming.

  • Date of stay September 2008
  • Member since March 23, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Delightful!

Charleston's NotSo Hostel

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5 of 5 stars
Phil81   1 contribution
Cardiff, Wales
Sep 1, 2008 | Trip type: Solo travel
2
people found this review helpful

Coming to the end of ten nights well spent - my third stay - at Notso. As a regular visitor and ex-resident of Charleston, I can say with earnestness that I'm really quite fond of this place. It has all the charm and hospitality for which the deep south is famous, a 'feel' highly conducive to friend-making and a small group of staff who are quite lovely.
Located just a 10 minute walk from the Kind Street bars, it's ideal for those of you wanting to sample a bit of nightlife. The battery, the market place and other little gems of Charleston are a little further, though still in walking distance. Yet, if you really want to see Charleston, the best way is almost certainly by bike: rent one from the hostel for a daily fee.
Breakfast: Nutella, jams, peanut butter, cream cheese, spread over bagels, breads and muffins; served free each morning at nineish. Get your fill.
Clean. Affordable. Safe. Well reputed.
Enjoy

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
  • Date of stay August 2008
  • Visit was for Hobbies / interest / culture
  • Traveled with Solo traveler
  • Age group 25-34
  • Member since August 02, 2006
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for Young singles, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Great pool scene
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Beach / Sun, Museums / Cultural / Historical sites, Great food / Wine, Other
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes
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Charleston's NotSo Hostel Address

156 Spring Street, Charleston, SC 29403
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