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Reviews of RK Hostel 2 stars

642 West Hawthorn, Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

#245 of 249 hotels in San Diego

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 132 hostel reviews

6.6

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    7.2

  • Comfort

    7.2

  • Location

    8.0

  • Facilities

    7.2

  • Staff

    7.1

  • Value for money

    7.5

  • Free WiFi

    8.7

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 4 March 2025

    8.0
    Purrfect solitude
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    N/A

    Purrfect locale

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 15 January 2025

    7.0
    I enjoy my stay and wish to add to the services provided through hospitality and accountability.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Roommates with out keys Complaints regarding random people knocking on doors My dorm mate stays in the bathroom all night long 5-8hrs during the night. Literally all night I have to get ready in the morning in one of the bathrooms because she occupies until 7 or 8 am Not a big deal but it is annoying and inconvenient

    Friendly staff, clean bathrooms, toilet paper was stocked. Staff was accessible within the hours provided.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 9 January 2025

    8.0
    Always a JOY to stay here! Feel at “HOME”!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Needs updating, More Amenities!

    Location/VIEW/Price!

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 31 December 2024

    8.0
    Relaxed, enjoyable, friendly staff
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Staff on-site were entertaining, experienced, very friendly. Rooms and beds were clean. Featured guest in mixed dorms matched sleep and awake schedules. 10/10 will be staying again

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 26 September 2024

    8.0
    Nice and cheap.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    No towels for shower.

    Somewhere reasonable to sleep.

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 21 July 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • With a pet
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    My service dog and I had to give up porch access, because of a female guest(?) and her "service dogs" staying there at the time...

    Good value for the price and location.

    Stayed in July 2024

  • Reviewed: 9 October 2023

    8.0
    I was charged for a key but never got a refund. Wtf.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    They werent ready for me at the door when I knocked to check in.

    The location was great.

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: 22 July 2023

    6.0
    Ok
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There was no toilet paper inside bathroom and It is nice if they had trash bag inside trash can. And they had cigarette on the floor. If they had swiffer( simple map), I would cleaned the Floor of the room. Specifically under the bed.

    Staff

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: 11 July 2023

    8.0
    This location served its purpose for my one night visit to San Diego. Didn't have high expectations
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There were no towels, had to go & purchase one from a store. As well hand & body soap weren't provided. The hostel lacked cleanliness, especially in the restroom & shower area.

    The location was close to Little Italy & right next to the freeway. The employee at the front desk was very helpful & polite.

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 3 June 2023

    7.0
    Good
    • Business trip
    • People with friends
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Visit

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 11 December 2022

    7.0
    Good
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 2-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    for the price it is what you get, even more than expected

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: 15 September 2022

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    the hostel seems to have been a once great place that has fallen into disrepair. if the business owners once again put in the effort, it could make a comeback.

    the location is tremendous

    Stayed in September 2022

  • Reviewed: 15 June 2022

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 2-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Kinda dated.

    The staff was accommodating, and design of the facilities was pretty cool. Hell, I could never sit outside like this after working all morning. It's not like I'm on vacation. Just between residences ya know what I mean m?!!?

    Stayed in June 2022

  • Reviewed: 19 May 2022

    8.0
    A GREAT LITTLE HOSTEL , HELPFUL STAFF , GREAT LOCATION TO VISIT SAN DIEGO ATTRACTIONS.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    TOWELS NOT SUPPLIED, CHARGE A $20 DEPOSIT TO PREVENT THEFT, REDICULIOUS NOT TO HAVE TOWELS.

    A CONSISE ROOM , BUNK BEDS AND A TABLE AND CHAIR, CLOSE TO FOOD , RESTAURANTS AND ATTRACTIONS.

    Stayed in May 2022

  • Reviewed: 6 April 2025

    1.0
    Terrible experience of being ghosted!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Deluxe Single Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The place has a very strange check-in hours 7pm to 10pm, didn't noticed that until after I booked it. Within one hour I tried to contact the business to ask if they can accommodate my schedule which I would be out from 4 pm to 11 pm so I was hoping to check in before 4 pm. The phone never got answered and I sent voice messages, no call-back. I sent email too, no response. On the booked date I called a few times in the morning and finally got answered once, the staff told me that I can check in earlier with no problem, just call him when I get there and his cellphone number was going to be posted on the door of entrance. I made it there at 4 pm due to traffic, the entrance was locked and there was nobody at the facility. No cellphone number was posted on the door for me to contact. I patted on the windows around the building and asked if anyone was there, a female guest came down from second floor and told me that the staff was not here and she didn't know his contact info either. I was ghosted! I ended up having no place to go to for the night!

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 March 2025

    1.0
    Very poor
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Somebody stole my backpack from my room and nobody cared about it but it says it's my fault because I left the door open but had a problem with the door and the lock so that's why I left the door open. I think somebody there maybe in a managerial position. used my credit card fraudulently

    The location in Little Italy

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 2 March 2025

    1.0
    Very poor
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Now the management was very rude and somebody stole my bag and I got to answer while you left your door open that's why! I don't think this is a satisfactory but then somebody used my credit card on authorized and I don't know who it was but might have been in management I believe

    Nice area and nice house

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 February 2025

    1.0
    Make sure to book before 9pm
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Couldn’t check in but says I’m allowed to check in till 10 pm but nope

    Can’t say couldn’t check in

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 February 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    I wouldn't change a thing

    Location was epic the price was very good especially being on a tight budget was able to relax and enjoy my surroundings without worrying that I may not be able to get a place to stay location was close to stores dining and trolley stop ,very nice dorm mates and front desk had great customer service, all Beds were very new ,all bedding was clean and bed itself neatly made, wonderful views .will definitely come here again 👍😁💯

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 11 February 2025

    1.0
    Terrible stay
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Kitchen was terrible with mice scurrying around. Corroded coffee maker,pot . No breakfast Homeless man busted in and slept on couch. Living room was dark . Right by highway . Bad communication by manager .

    Bedroom was clean with own bathroom.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 January 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nice renovations modernized the place.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 1 January 2025

    5.0
    Passable
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Male Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Dorms

    Thank you .

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 25 December 2024

    10
    Shhh, know...but don't spread it around! This place is a Gem.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    In the summer time, no air conditioning in the rooms. I bring my own fan to help keep me cool. Even though the word "Hostel" is in the name, it is not like other Hostels. You need to bring your own toiletries (shampoo, soap), TOWEL, and, sometimes, toilet paper (they sometimes run out). Again, though, this doesn't bother me (because I am aware of this AHEAD of time ...) The checking IN and checking OUT times are limited. Different times are posted, but, in reality, they are no where near accurate. Checking in is like 7pm to 9pm. If they know ahead of time, someone can be there for you until 10pm or so. Checking out is 9am to 11am. In their "TV Room", there IS a TV, a big one, but I was unable to get any stations on it (it could have just been me - user dumbness). The Clientele isn't as much "International" as other "Hostels". There is no partying or established activities going on (but, in fact, I LIKE, and prefer, it this way. It is quiet, and homey).

    Each stay is a wonderful stay. It is only fair that I share this ... but I am reluctant, because I am afraid that if it gets out what a gem of a place this is, it will become more crowded, less available, and the price will end up going up ... It has a full functioning kitchen. It is quiet. The showers are hot and good pressure (I used the 'stand alone' shower). It has a skylight in there. I liked that. A convenience store is a couple of blocks away. Restaurants, also, are close by. A, relatively, short walk to Transit Station through iconic Little Italy area. You can see the water and boats that are in the Harbor. It's NICE to see blue sky and blue water on a sparkling San Diego sunshine day! It is not like other "Hostels". There is not a 14 day, per year, limit for stays. (See below, or above, for other differences from "Hostels")

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 22 November 2024

    4.0
    Very unprofessional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The staff were terrible and did not answer when you call

    The location

    Stayed in October 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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