Pros

  • Convenient location in Charleston's historic district, close to the free trolley stop
  • Budget hostel with coed, all-female, and all-male dorms, plus private rooms
  • Homey interiors include communal kitchen and lounge area
  • Free breakfast including cereal, bagels, and muffins
  • Bed linens included
  • Camping spaces available
  • Free Wi-Fi and parking
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Cons

  • Rooms are small
  • Mattresses have fitted, plastic sheets
  • Bathrooms are shared
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Bottom Line

Charleston’s NotSo Hostel offers an affordable option in historic downtown Charleston that's popular with young budget travelers and backpackers. Clean and simple rooms include coed, all-female, and all-male dorms, as well as private rooms, though communal bathrooms may not suit everyone and mattresses have fitted, plastic sheets that might be uncomfortable for some. Homey interiors include a cozy lounge area and a shared kitchen available for guests’ use, plus lovely porches. There's a free breakfast served daily that includes cereals, bagels, and muffins; Wi-Fi and parking are also free. Travelers should note that the hostel also has another location, the Annex, which is a bit closer to downtown (a block away from King Street) and offers all private rooms. Guests seeking more privacy and willing to sacrifice location may want to check out Creekside Lands Inn, a bare-bones, mid-range hotel situated by a pretty creek 30 minutes from downtown. 

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Amenities

  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed

Oyster Hotel Review

Charleston’s NotSo Hostel

Scene

Homey budget hostel with communal kitchens and porches

Charleston’s NotSo Hostel is a budget option that attracts young travelers and backpackers under 30 with its friendly atmosphere, cheap rates, and downtown location. Guests are greeted in an inviting reception and lounge area where a large world map festooned with foreign currency and pushpins marking guests' origins is the focal point that adorns the pale blue walls. The cozy space has wooden floors and comfortable brown leather couches that offer a spot for guests to mingle. Other homey common areas include long porches filled with an eclectic mix of wooden and iron furniture, and a cozy shared kitchen. Travelers should note that besides the main location, the hostel also has an Annex located a couple of blocks away which tends to be quieter and has all private rooms, as well as communal hangout spots including a kitchen and porches.

See More Scene

Location

Two locations in residential areas of Charleston's historic district

The main location of Charleston’s NotSo Hostel is on Spring Street in a residential area of the historic district. There are a few shops and restaurants nearby, as well as a bus stop serving several lines down the street. The free Dash trolley also stops a block away from the hostel on Cannon Street. The annex is located an 11-minute walk away and a block from King Street, one of the busiest shopping and dining areas in the neighborhood. Battery Park, Aquarium Wharf, and Marion Square are all easily accessible on one of the hostel’s rented bikes. The airport is less than a 20-minute drive, and free parking is available at the hostel. 

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Rooms

Small, simple dorms with bunk beds and lockers as well as private rooms; bathrooms are shared

The main location of Charleston’s NotSo Hostel offers a variety of small and simply furnished rooms with wooden floors including co-ed, all-male, and all-femaledorms. Dorms are equipped with lockers and bunk beds fitted with plastic sheets. Private rooms are also available, but all bathrooms are shared. The Annex location is a quieter, more modern building with all private rooms that vary in size. One room has its own private bathroom with a walk-in shower, but all of the others have shared bathrooms.

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Features

Free breakfast, communal kitchens, free Wi-Fi and parking, and eco-friendly practices

The hotel serves a free breakfast that includes bagels, muffins, cereals, coffee, and tea. Fully equipped kitchens are available at both locations with coffee- and tea-making facilities, microwaves, ovens, and refrigerators as well as an outdoor garden offering planted herbs and vegetables that guests can use in their cooking. The hostel uses eco-friendly practices like composting, recycling, and utilizing organic cleaning products. Internet corners and laundry facilities are available in both locations. There is free Wi-Fi and parking at the hostel, and bicycles are available to rent for a fee. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Charleston’s NotSo Hostel

Scene

Homey budget hostel with communal kitchens and porches

Charleston’s NotSo Hostel is a budget option that attracts young travelers and backpackers under 30 with its friendly atmosphere, cheap rates, and downtown location. Guests are greeted in an inviting reception and lounge area where a large world map festooned with foreign currency and pushpins marking guests' origins is the focal point that adorns the pale blue walls. The cozy space has wooden floors and comfortable brown leather couches that offer a spot for guests to mingle. Other homey common areas include long porches filled with an eclectic mix of wooden and iron furniture, and a cozy shared kitchen. Travelers should note that besides the main location, the hostel also has an Annex located a couple of blocks away which tends to be quieter and has all private rooms, as well as communal hangout spots including a kitchen and porches.

See More Scene

Location

Two locations in residential areas of Charleston's historic district

The main location of Charleston’s NotSo Hostel is on Spring Street in a residential area of the historic district. There are a few shops and restaurants nearby, as well as a bus stop serving several lines down the street. The free Dash trolley also stops a block away from the hostel on Cannon Street. The annex is located an 11-minute walk away and a block from King Street, one of the busiest shopping and dining areas in the neighborhood. Battery Park, Aquarium Wharf, and Marion Square are all easily accessible on one of the hostel’s rented bikes. The airport is less than a 20-minute drive, and free parking is available at the hostel. 

See More Location

Rooms

Small, simple dorms with bunk beds and lockers as well as private rooms; bathrooms are shared

The main location of Charleston’s NotSo Hostel offers a variety of small and simply furnished rooms with wooden floors including co-ed, all-male, and all-femaledorms. Dorms are equipped with lockers and bunk beds fitted with plastic sheets. Private rooms are also available, but all bathrooms are shared. The Annex location is a quieter, more modern building with all private rooms that vary in size. One room has its own private bathroom with a walk-in shower, but all of the others have shared bathrooms.

See More Rooms

Features

Free breakfast, communal kitchens, free Wi-Fi and parking, and eco-friendly practices

The hotel serves a free breakfast that includes bagels, muffins, cereals, coffee, and tea. Fully equipped kitchens are available at both locations with coffee- and tea-making facilities, microwaves, ovens, and refrigerators as well as an outdoor garden offering planted herbs and vegetables that guests can use in their cooking. The hostel uses eco-friendly practices like composting, recycling, and utilizing organic cleaning products. Internet corners and laundry facilities are available in both locations. There is free Wi-Fi and parking at the hostel, and bicycles are available to rent for a fee. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.