Hostel on 3rd — Hotel in San Diego

Hello everyone thinking of staying here.

My name is Matthew, and was a very recent staff member of 6 months. What I'm about to type is a true unexaggerated accounting of Hostel on 3rd. Deposits - lol, if you don't checkout by 11:50am, 90% chance you will never see it again. I can't tell you how many phone calls I received while working, from people not getting there deposits especially if they paid credit card. It's real, it happens all the time, so know that..James Coe the owner works roughly 6am-12pm I have seen/heard stories of him going upstairs "to do stuff" a little before 12pm then come back down to the desk after 12pm and not give deposits back to people who were there at twelve or running a couple minutes late (for whatever reason) because it would technically be "too late'. I believe keeping deposits is a counted on revenue stream for Hostel on 3rd. Let's just say it's up to James/JJ's discretion on who gets there money back and how much. If he doesn't like you for whatever reason (staff or guest) well, do the math Blankets - blankets are not washed between guests. In 6 months of working there not once did I see or put in washing machine the thicker black, purple, or blue blankets. People are suppose to sleep under the sheet so there is no need to waste water is the reasoning I was told. I highly recommend a smell test when the staff hand them to you. Sheets are washed between guests. Mattresses/pillows - if you decide to stay there, pull your sheet back on your bed, have a look for yourself. Nothing else needs to be said. Roaches - yes, a lot, especially in the kitchen and front desk check in area ( especially at night) The smell - it has a general odd smell throughout the building, some of the rooms are straight up foul. There is no a.c. There is no heat. Chris Gallaton (or however it's spelled) he is the tenured "live in supervisor". Older, 6"2, no teeth has lived there 12ish years. To say he looks/acts out of place is being nice. Warning, he is deeply depressed. If and when you ever disagree with him about absolutely anything or have the audacity to call him on his b.s. and I promise it will happen (because his level of petty, and ridiculousness is off the charts lmao) he will run to James to keep your deposit or try to get you kicked-out. He has very little real power. (Hostel power lol) He CRAVES validation that he is "the boss" . For example, I once got a "talking to" for using a semi-colon instead of a comma. Also he sits in his room watching other people live there lives 24/7 , it's so gross...Yes, surveillance is run through a monitor in his room as well as downstairs. Too future would be staff workers - Unless you are absolutely down and out and it's between sleeping on the sidewalk donating blood for money, and this hostel, don't do it. I wanted a really good hotel job and no rent. I got greedy, the hotel didn't work out( I scrounged up a few side jobs), and so I was left mostly with this experience and enough money to leave. Keep in mind, in return for 24hrs a week worked you get a bunk bed and a get to take a shower. Oh and you can use " the staff fridge". Trying to earn money outside the hostel may prove difficult because Chris doesn't want to spend anymore time working on the schedule than is absolutely necessary. Also, you have to be trained on all "jobs" in the hostel for weeks ...I believe he ultimately would prefer everyone be on welfare and get there food and such from soup kitchens or his "homeless contacts" lol, seriously.... I did have some really great party times with some of the other staff and guests (lol definitely heard about it the next day from "the bosses" but whatever) I did say this would be true and unexaggerated.

They charge way too much for what you get in return. Avoid this place. This is one of those situations where the bad outweighs the...

I am like other reviewers on here, wondering where the 3/4/5 star review are coming from and what a person's expectations are. This is, by far, the worst hostel I have ever stayed in and I am a frequent traveler. First off, the management at this place is rude. They don't value you as a customer and it seems they go out of their way to let you know they only care about money. The phrase "the customer is always right" is non-existent in this place so I hope you never have a problem with your stay. They charge you a $20 deposit (unlike any other hostel I've stayed at) and they have a collection of rules and regulations that they bank on you violating so they can keep your deposit. Word to the wise, please take off the sheets and look at the mattress and the pillow that you intend to sleep on for the night. If that doesn't change your mind...you may like homeless shelters better. There is no heat in the winter and no a/c in the summer...just a vintage window with no screen, so I hope you like creepy crawlers and have repellent handy. The bathrooms are disgusting...please remember to bring shower shoes and do not-I repeat, do not sit directly on the seat. The old guy Chris at the front desk only smiles at the young foreign female staff (really creepy uncle type guy)--he will not show you any type of cordiality. Do not eat off those dishes in the kitchen and do not use that pancake batter that sits out from 8-11 AM. This place is populated with extended stay drifters and sometimes homeless people with vouchers. They have a really cliquesh vibe, so if you are not part of the in-crowd of staff or extended stay individuals; don't expect to be made to feel welcome here. The towels are washed in something other than detergent; same with the sheets. I would advise you bring your own. Sheets, blanket, towel, and pillow. I honestly don't know how this place has been able to remain in business. Someone should really send in the health inspector. If I could give negative stars here, I would. Word to the wise...stay away from this creepy place. spend the extra 15-20 bucks and go to a more welcoming and accommodating hostels. you have...

I am like other reviewers on here, wondering where the 3/4/5 star review are coming from and what a person's expectations are. This is, by far, the worst hostel I have ever stayed in and I am a frequent traveler. First off, the management at this place is rude. They don't value you as a customer and it seems they go out of their way to let you know they only care about money. The phrase "the customer is always right" is non-existent in this place so I hope you never have a problem with your stay. They charge you a $20 deposit (unlike any other hostel I've stayed at) and they have a collection of rules and regulations that they bank on you violating so they can keep your deposit. Word to the wise, please take off the sheets and look at the mattress and the pillow that you intend to sleep on for the night. If that doesn't change your mind...you may like homeless shelters better. There is no heat in the winter and no a/c in the summer...just a vintage window with no screen, so I hope you like creepy crawlers and have repellent handy. The bathrooms are disgusting...please remember to bring shower shoes and do not-I repeat, do not sit directly on the seat. The old guy Chris at the front desk only smiles at the young foreign female staff (really creepy uncle type guy)--he will not show you any type of cordiality. Do not eat off those dishes in the kitchen and do not use that pancake batter that sits out from 8-11 AM. This place is populated with extended stay drifters and sometimes homeless people with vouchers. They have a really cliquesh vibe, so if you are not part of the in-crowd of staff or extended stay individuals; don't expect to be made to feel welcome here. The towels are washed in something other than detergent; same with the sheets. I would advise you bring your own. Sheets, blanket, towel, and pillow. I honestly don't know how this place has been able to remain in business. Someone should really send in the health inspector. If I could give negative stars here, I would. Word to the wise...stay away from this creepy place. spend the extra 15-20 bucks and go to a more welcoming and accommodating hostels. you have...