I'm going to make this simple as I can. 2019 summer I came back to the hostel and already I was asked to have a conversation about my last visit to the hostel. There was no room for the next few days (private) and I still have a booking in another room but I decided to cancel and head to Chicago for a big wedding. But let's be honest here ok, Yelp translated my last review wrong and now I am here to update and clear the air. I didn't like my last visit in 2018 of November and there were things I wasn't too cheerful about it. There was a guy doing drugs and offering us things that were so troublesome. We had complained about it to the staff and they said they will talk to him. Turns out that he was a homeless man last-named Goldsby living in Madison Wisconsin at the Men's homeless shelter. "How do I know this? Well, I'm the case manager for homeless services and I see him all the time but the point of this is to point out a flaw in checking in an individual that suppose to be from out of states. I've warned the young ladies that his energy didn't sit well with me or with the other guest. Another homeless guy comes in but this time it happens in October/November or 2018 where a friend of mine from Thailand had her GoPro stolen (I did replace it out of the kindness of my heart) but this guy was asked guests for money and wanted to eat our food. "I know, so disturbing." but later that night he now has money? So I can someone do a background check on this guy and the guy took off the next day. Again, months later after taking a JOB under the city and returning to Madison, I'd see the same guy at a day shelter for the homeless. "I should say something to the hostel but that's not my problem anymore but you as the viewer should know what happen with my experience. This is why I'd happen to take a star off, as a dual citizen I want to be told and ensure that this is a happy place for travelers. There were other things that happen but I rather keep that between HIUSA and I. Other than that, other HIUSA locations are out of this world amazing. But doesn't this bother some people, to find out that Hi-Madison isn't fully checking state Identification or have the better judgment to denied hospitality services? In 2015, 2016, 2017 and all experiences were so excellent that I starting to bring friends with me from other countries to Madison to the hostel. It's still a great place and right at the heart of the capitol. I'd notice a few things and questions. Now, I do not make visits to the hostel anymore and do not need the services from this location but it's a good place for anyone working in the Madison area for a short time. I'd now work for the city of Madison and a full-time photographer. But you only can stay up to 14 days a year now. It's not seasonal anymore. So if you here doing a Covance study or working internationally under visa requirements, be aware this also applies to you. Max stay is 14 days as well. But now I just have some friends that I've met at the HI-Madison location for work or summer classes and offer them a place to stay for FREE. Book your rooms in the advancement.
Richard North
Nice clean facilities. The girls dorm it wasn't the most modern facility, but it was a great place to just sleep.
david henry
Great place clean and quiet it's in the heart of everything
Linda Cooks
Great food. Would recommend
Kent Van Note
This is the BEST place to stay in Madison. It's inexpensive, clean, eco-friendly, and community oriented. Staff are on-site and friendly/knowledgeable.
Cameron Banaszak
Great location close to alot of good restaurants, bars and shops. I had a private room with shared bathroom the room was clean and had a nice amount of space the bed was comfortable and good price for a traveler passing through
Stephanie Colon
Great environment and staff. Highly recommended for any type of traveller.
Mashari almansour
Great, clean and beautiful place for downtown location, friendly staff and guests.
Keeley Garrett
Hard to find in this city. Check it out. Great hospitality for the right price.
Great location with affordable price. Nice clean facilities. The girls dorm it wasn't the most modern facility, but it was a great place to just sleep. Perfect for people visiting the city. The shared spaces were very cute, and other guests were friendly! There was even a board with events that were happening that weekend.
Andrés Martín
Great hostel. Close to lakefront. Bread, coffee and banana for the breakfast (Pancake mix available). We brought some eggs and boyled them there.
Ken E.
This cost $16. Absolutely disappointing. Literally 2 slices of brisket and a bunch of chewy chips.
Pamela M.
Love this little slice of heaven! Glad they had a sign outside to distract me on my walk back home that caused me to stop in. The rhubarb pie reminded me so much of my grandmas pie. The crust was just like hers :) I only wished she was sitting down eating with me on this glorious & beautiful summer Saturday. Yea, it's small so if people like it and they get the business, I'm sure they'll expand. Up to us to make that happen! But I still like the coziness of this space, regardless. It's great that they have a few tables for outside seating. I'll be back for brunch!
Homey and cozy. Small byt nice
I'm going to make this simple as I can. 2019 summer I came back to the hostel and already I was asked to have a conversation about my last visit to the hostel. There was no room for the next few days (private) and I still have a booking in another room but I decided to cancel and head to Chicago for a big wedding. But let's be honest here ok, Yelp translated my last review wrong and now I am here to update and clear the air. I didn't like my last visit in 2018 of November and there were things I wasn't too cheerful about it. There was a guy doing drugs and offering us things that were so troublesome. We had complained about it to the staff and they said they will talk to him. Turns out that he was a homeless man last-named Goldsby living in Madison Wisconsin at the Men's homeless shelter. "How do I know this? Well, I'm the case manager for homeless services and I see him all the time but the point of this is to point out a flaw in checking in an individual that suppose to be from out of states. I've warned the young ladies that his energy didn't sit well with me or with the other guest. Another homeless guy comes in but this time it happens in October/November or 2018 where a friend of mine from Thailand had her GoPro stolen (I did replace it out of the kindness of my heart) but this guy was asked guests for money and wanted to eat our food. "I know, so disturbing." but later that night he now has money? So I can someone do a background check on this guy and the guy took off the next day. Again, months later after taking a JOB under the city and returning to Madison, I'd see the same guy at a day shelter for the homeless. "I should say something to the hostel but that's not my problem anymore but you as the viewer should know what happen with my experience. This is why I'd happen to take a star off, as a dual citizen I want to be told and ensure that this is a happy place for travelers. There were other things that happen but I rather keep that between HIUSA and I. Other than that, other HIUSA locations are out of this world amazing. But doesn't this bother some people, to find out that Hi-Madison isn't fully checking state Identification or have the better judgment to denied hospitality services? In 2015, 2016, 2017 and all experiences were so excellent that I starting to bring friends with me from other countries to Madison to the hostel. It's still a great place and right at the heart of the capitol. I'd notice a few things and questions. Now, I do not make visits to the hostel anymore and do not need the services from this location but it's a good place for anyone working in the Madison area for a short time. I'd now work for the city of Madison and a full-time photographer. But you only can stay up to 14 days a year now. It's not seasonal anymore. So if you here doing a Covance study or working internationally under visa requirements, be aware this also applies to you. Max stay is 14 days as well. But now I just have some friends that I've met at the HI-Madison location for work or summer classes and offer them a place to stay for FREE. Book your rooms in the advancement.
Nice clean facilities. The girls dorm it wasn't the most modern facility, but it was a great place to just sleep.
Great place clean and quiet it's in the heart of everything
Great food. Would recommend
This is the BEST place to stay in Madison. It's inexpensive, clean, eco-friendly, and community oriented. Staff are on-site and friendly/knowledgeable.
Great location close to alot of good restaurants, bars and shops. I had a private room with shared bathroom the room was clean and had a nice amount of space the bed was comfortable and good price for a traveler passing through
Great environment and staff. Highly recommended for any type of traveller.
Great, clean and beautiful place for downtown location, friendly staff and guests.
Hard to find in this city. Check it out. Great hospitality for the right price.
Restaurantji Recommends
Not good not bad, just decent.
Great location with affordable price. Nice clean facilities. The girls dorm it wasn't the most modern facility, but it was a great place to just sleep. Perfect for people visiting the city. The shared spaces were very cute, and other guests were friendly! There was even a board with events that were happening that weekend.
Great hostel. Close to lakefront. Bread, coffee and banana for the breakfast (Pancake mix available). We brought some eggs and boyled them there.
This cost $16. Absolutely disappointing. Literally 2 slices of brisket and a bunch of chewy chips.
Love this little slice of heaven! Glad they had a sign outside to distract me on my walk back home that caused me to stop in. The rhubarb pie reminded me so much of my grandmas pie. The crust was just like hers :) I only wished she was sitting down eating with me on this glorious & beautiful summer Saturday. Yea, it's small so if people like it and they get the business, I'm sure they'll expand. Up to us to make that happen! But I still like the coziness of this space, regardless. It's great that they have a few tables for outside seating. I'll be back for brunch!