F.A.Q.

NOTE: Before reserving or calling the hostel, please be sure to read our Hostel Policies (PDF).

March 2016: Founder and director Preston Ellsworth sat for an interview, published on YouTube. You can view it here. It might answer some questions not specifically addressed in this F.A.Q.

Q: What is your address and can I receive mail at the hostel?

A: Registered guests may receive mail at the hostel. Our address is:

Santa Fe International Hostel
1412 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505

Q: How can I contact a guest at the hostel?

A: You may leave a message with the front desk at (505)988-1153 or you can arrange a time to call the registered guest on our public/pay phone. That number is (505)984-0317.

Q: What is a hostel?

A: For a formal background on hostels, please visit WikiPedia’s Hostel Entry. In a nutshell: as a traditional hostel, our volunteer staff live on the grounds and all guests (whether in dormitory or private accommodations) are invited to be a part of the community – sharing a large kitchen, ample foodstuffs, and performing small morning cleaning duties.

Q: Do you provide discounts to holders of cards such as AYH/HI/ISIC

A: We do not. We work to keep our rates low and we encourage all bona fide travelers to visit us, regardless of their memberships.

Q: Do you have a kitchen that guests can use?

A: The heart of the hostel has always been our huge, industrial kitchen with refrigerators, freezer, two ranges, large sinks, appliances of all kinds, and lots and lots of FREE food staples that always include bread and cereals and often include salads, cheeses, beverages, and lots of cookies and pastries. Disposable and single-serving tea and coffee service are provided each morning at 8am in the main lobby building.

We provide a courtyard, and a patio where you can eat.

Q: Do you offer other amenities such as laundry?

A: Token operated laundry and detergent is available on premises.  Soap, shampoo, stamps, razors, and other necessities are available at nominal charge at the front desk.

Q: What is required to stay at the hostel?

A: We require photo ID of all guests, without exception, and we accept individuals from all walks of life who are traveling under their own steam for education and personal development. We reserve the right to require an active passport of all guests, particularly during the busy seasons.

You do not have to be a “youth” to stay at this hostel, and you will find people of all ages and from all over the world – particularly during the busy summer season.

Q: Do I have to be a Hosteling International member to stay at the Hostel?

A: No. However, since we exist to facilitate international travel, we reserve the right to require a valid passport of our guests.

Q: Are you close to St. Johns and the other colleges in Santa Fe?

A: Yes! We are centrally located to Santa Fe’s colleges and convention centers. You can find the location of the Santa Fe International Hostel on our Getting Here page.

Q: Do you allow long-term stays for students?

A: It is our mission to encourage personal development through independent travel and cross-cultural exchange. That means that we do allow extended stays for full-time students on a case-by-case basis, and we sometimes extend this offer to attendees of seminars, workshops, training, conferences or other shorter term educational endeavors. This offer is available during the fall and winter for students who present themselves in person. We are unable to accommodate extended stays during the Summer.

Q: Do you accept groups?

A: Yes! We have accommodated groups of 20 or more for conferences and other activities.

Q: Do you have group rates?

A: Yes! Our group rate is $15 per person. The minimum size to get the group rate is 15. Please note that group rates are subject to availability and may not be available during peak periods

Q: Do you accept minors and groups including minors?

A: Yes. We frequently accommodate student and youth groups. Appropriate adult supervision is required, dormitories are segregated by gender, and private rooms are available for chaperons.

Q: Do you accept credit cards?

A: No. We accept cash and money orders.  We accept personal checks ONLY for mailed-in reservations made more than two weeks in advance. There is an ATM within walking distance of the hostel.

Q: What do you mean by “Budget Bed and Breakfast?”

A: We provide common areas, free linens, free foodstuffs (including jam, breads, coffee, tea, and other foods) and much more. You make your own bed, you make your own breakfast, and when you decide to move on, you leave your room as clean as you found it upon arrival.

Q: Do you have wireless Internet?

A: Yes. Passwords are provided on check-in.

Q: How close are you to Downtown Santa Fe?

A: We are approximately 1.5 miles from the Santa Fe Plaza. The municipal bus stops just outside our door and brings you downtown or you can walk downtown in 25 minutes, give or take.

Q: Is parking available?

A: Yes. There is ample off-street parking available for free to all registered guests.

Q: At what time is check-out?

A: 12Noon.

Q: What if I have to check out before you open at 8am?

A: We can make arrangements the night before. Please speak to the person at the front desk before 9pm. We are not allowing check outs before 8am for all walk ins who are staying 1 night.

Q: How do I make a reservation?

A: Please view our reservations page for details.

Q: How can I cancel a reservation?

A: Please view our reservations page for details.

Q: Do you have mixed (ie – unisex) dormitories?

A: We do not, despite this trend in other international hostels. Partners who want to sleep in the same bed must rent a private room.

Q: Are your rooms handicapped accessible?

A: The majority of our structures are handicap accessible.  You may call us at (505)988-1153 to discuss specifics.

Q: Do you allow pets?

A: We do not allow pets in the rooms, mostly in deference to potential allergy sufferers. Bona-fide Service animals are allowed. All pets on the grounds must be on a leash. NOTE: Temperatures in Santa Fe can be very hot or cold year-round; leaving your pet in your vehicle is not allowed on property.

Q: May I see a room before checking in?

A: We only show rooms if you are worried about allergies or have other health or accessibility concerns. Generally, we assume our guests are budget travelers who are used to hostel accommodations.

Q: What is the cleaning duty A.K.A. “chores” I keep hearing about?

A: As a traditional hostel, we still try to embody the classic hostel ethic of leaving a place as-nice-as-or-better-than you found it.  Also, as a not-for-profit we do not provide maid service.  So every guest since 1983 has spent roughly 5-15 minutes each morning participating in daily cleaning.  Examples include sweeping the kitchen floor, emptying the trash, raking leaves, etc.  It’s part of our intended community and intended community is why we exist.

Q: How long does the morning cleaning duty take?

A: The chores usually take between 5 and 15 minutes. Cleaning supplies are provided and you can choose from a list of daily chores.

Q: Is the cleaning duty required?

A: All guests are expected to clean their rooms on checkout day before they leave. If there is more than one person in a room, Generally one person cleans the room and the others do a hostel task.

Q: By what time must I do the cleaning duty?

A: 12Noon, which is also check-out time.

Q: Is there a curfew?

A: No.  The hostel office is open from 8am-9pm. You may access your room 24/7. We do have quiet hours 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Q: What is the deposit for?

A: The $10 security deposit ensures that you return your key to us and that you do not damage any hostel property. We will withold the deposit if we need to replace an item or hire a maid if, for example, you do not clean your room when leaving.

Q: May I have an overnight guest?

A: Generally not. Daytime visitors of guests are welcome until 9:30pm ONLY if they register at the front desk. After 9:30pm, only staff and registered overnight guests are allowed on the hostel property and violation of these rules will be considered illegal trespass. If a daytime visitor wishes to stay, They must pay $15 per night and register before 9:30 pm.

Q: Is smoking allowed?

A: Smoking is not allowed in any rooms nor in any indoor areas. However, there are several large, comfortable outdoor areas where smoking is permitted.

Q: Are linens provided?

A: Yes. Clean blankets, linens, pillows, and towel are provided at no charge. For the sake of cleanliness, we do not allow guests to use their own sleeping bags or bedrolls.