American Hotel Hostel

Location is close to the subway and train station

Homeless people living around

I have stayed in countless youth hostels in around 25 different countries over several decades and I really enjoyed my stay here and would recommend it to anyone. Here's why: Less than 15 minute walk from major train station/metro station.  I arrived by Amtrak so it was super convenient. Convenient walk to so many places in downtown Seattle and public transportation readily available nearby. Room was very clean. I was in one of the private rooms. Bed was incredibly comfortable.  Shared bathroom was clean and I rarely ran into another person even though I was staying at a very busy time of year. Whole house pretty quiet, barely reminded that there were even other people there.   Shower was clean with great water pressure! Staff was friendly and helpful. Common kitchen area a little grungy, but generally clean. I've seen lot a worse.  Included breakfast was basic and decent (toast/bagels/oranges/bananas/coffee etc) Free towels to borrow! That was unexpected and awesome. Temperature comfortable throughout the building. All ages were staying here! I thought I'd be taking the “youth” out of Youth Hostel but there were lots of white haired ladies, families with small kids, etc.  Surrounded by interesting places to eat. Most were closed because of the holiday weekend I was there, but the potential was there! It's an old converted hotel, so the halls are narrow and it's generally creaky and quirky, but that's what makes youth hostels so fun, if you ask me.  It has a definite college dorm/international hostel vibe to it so all around clean and well taken care of, so don't compare it to a hotel.  If you don't like that vibe and a little bit of grunge, just don't stay here.  All in all I had a great experience.  

Neighborhood is definitely sketchy.  Downtown places near major train stations almost always are.  I mean, I never felt in danger and I live in a big city so I know how to be aware, look around, and avoid eye contact, but yeah - if that's going to be a problem for you, don't stay here.  My room overlooked an alley full of garbage (to which I say, just don't look out the window!) and there were unhoused folks there yelling one night.  But, that wasn't a deal breaker for me.   I feel it was overpriced. I know mine was a private room, but $180/night felt high.  But looking around at hotels in the same area for the same time frame made my jaw drop, so trying not to complain.  

Good location near the train station.

Noisy

The location is very convenient and right by the link station in Chinatown. There are restaurants and a market very close by. The rooms were basic but comfortable and the staff was friendly upon my arrival and departure. The lounge area and kitchen are very nice with comfortable places to relax, eat, and hang out. The room was a good size for 4 people and had sink inside with lockers to secure personal items.

The bathrooms on the 3rd floor were dirty and there were plumbing problems with water all over the floor. There was no toilet paper in a couple of the individual bathrooms and the toilets were dirty and weren't cleaned while I was there. The paper towel dispensers were also empty in the individual bathrooms and weren't serviced during my stay.