11th Avenue Hostel Denver Review

During my recent visit to Colorado, I visited downtown Denver and stayed at the 11th Avenue Hostel in a 4-bed female bunk. Overall, my experience at this Denver hostel was great! If you’re looking in Denver for places to stay as a solo traveler, this could be a great option for you. As a solo female traveler, I often rely on reviews to discern whether a hostel is safe, clean, and worth staying at–which is why I wanted to share this blog post with you all! This blog post dives into the details of my visit and also dissects my likes and dislikes about the property. 

11th Avenue Hostel Denver underwent a major renovation project and reopened in February 2022. I visited just after their reopening and immediately noticed how new and bright the space felt compared to photos of what it looked like prior to the renovation.  Nothing better than old charm with a subtle face lift. 

Without further ado, let’s dive into everything you need to know before staying at 11th Avenue Hostel in Denver!

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Is 11th Avenue Hostel safe? 

I never felt unsafe at any point during my stay at 11th Avenue Hostel. The building is secured and there is a lobby/front desk manager on-duty at all times to assist with any issues you might have. 

My flight landed in Denver at around 3am, and made it to the hostel around 3:45am. Sometimes, late night check-ins are a hassle but, thankfully, not at 11th Avenue Hostel Denver. The front desk manager made the check-in process swift and easy, and explained all the need-to-know details succinctly (which I greatly appreciated considering I was too tired to think clearly by that point). 

The lobby also felt very safe and secure, especially considering my nearly 4am arrival. The doors lock quickly behind you as you enter, and the lobby is well lit. The safety and security of the accommodation I’m staying at is an important factor for me as a solo female traveler. Arguably, it is the most important factor. 

Something good to know is that there is a U.S. Bank ATM in the lobby to use in a pinch. This might come in handy if you’re planning to enjoy the nightlife around the hostel because a few of the bars and clubs I visited had cash-only covers. Having a few bills will also come in handy if you need to tip your driver, tour guide, or other service professional. 

Another important thing to note here is that the ATM is located inside the secured doors, so you can feel comfortable knowing you don’t need to use an ATM on the streets of Denver. 

Does 11th Avenue Hostel offer free WiFi?

You will also get access to the WiFi codes upon checking-in… and the WiFi is free to use during your stay! This was a lifesaver for me considering I work remotely and need consistent access to WiFi. I’ve stayed in hostels that don’t have free WiFi and it’s always a burden having to pay extra to scroll through social or type up an email. Luckily, you won’t run into that dilemma while staying at 11th Avenue Hostel Denver.

The lobby also had plenty of places to sit and mingle with others staying at the hostel, which I appreciated. When looking in Denver for places to stay as a solo traveler, this was an important factor in my search. I didn’t want to be cut off from the ability to socialize, so having a bunch of common space seating was a nice perk. 

What are the rooms like at 11th Avenue Hostel?

I cannot speak to the every room at the hostel, but the 4-bunk female dorm I stayed in for 3 nights fit my needs completely. I was assigned to the top bunk and the other bunks were filled for the entirety of my stay.

In the dorm, there were four bunk beds, four small storage lockers (more on this later), a chair, a sink, and a waste bin. There was no en suite bathroom, though there were private restrooms just steps away from our door. The sound of others using the restroom across the hall couldn’t be heard from where my room was located. 

The storage lockers were extremely small. This was one of the downsides of this hostel. The lockers were so small that even my 22L backpack couldn’t fit. You can find the full details regarding sizing and measurements of my backpack here. It wasn’t an issue for me to remove my valuables from my luggage and place them in the locker, but keep this in mind if you’re planning to bring a larger suitcase. You’d likely need to remove any valuables and keep your suitcase stored under your bed or against the wall.

You must also bring your own lock for the locker. The hostel does have them available for rent, but when I showed up I was informed that all the locks had been rented for the evening. Luckily, I brought my own. Keep this in mind if you’re visiting 11th Avenue Hostel Denver. This is the exact lock I use during my travels, and this fit the lockers at 11th Avenue Hostel Denver perfectly. Plus, these locks are cheap on Amazon.

While staying in the hostel, you are provided with linens and a towel. These are provided upon checking-in, or will be placed on your bed prior to your arrival. No need to worry about packing bulky linens or towels along with you. You can also get them refreshed or replaced at any point during your stay. 

You are provided with two pillows in addition to the linens and towels. The pillows are soft, but I prefer sleeping on firmer pillows. If you’re anything like me and prefer firm pillows over soft pillows, I recommend bringing along a memory foam travel pillow.

How are the bathrooms at 11th Avenue Hostel Denver?

Now to discuss the bathroom situation…the private bathrooms were nice. They never felt dirty or too small. The maintenance team did a great job at keeping the property clean and nothing was overlooked. The bathrooms had great lighting and tiled floors. The showers are a decent size, and there is plenty of room to move around. Be sure to bring your own shower amenities, as they are not provided in the hostel.

When looking in Denver for places to stay as a solo traveler, I was closely researching the bathroom set-ups at each of the hostels I considered because sometimes hostel bathrooms can be a bit dodgy. After experiencing the bathrooms at 11th Avenue Hostel firsthand, I can confidently say that they are likely among the best hostel bathrooms in all of Denver!

Are there any Common spaces at the hostel?

The common spaces throughout 11th Avenue Hostel Denver are quite special. Aside from the lobby, which acts as a common space on its own, there is also a library space across from the dining room upstairs. Here, guests can unwind with a good book, or connect with other hostel guests. There is ample seating in the library and it can comfortably accommodate 5+ people with the seating provided. Of course, you could also pull in chairs from the dining room if your group needed more space. 

There is also a great vibe throughout the hostel, with the decor and atmosphere resembling that of a boho-chic Pinterest board. I dig it. 

Across from the library, there are vending machines with drinks, snacks, and $1 ramen. This is quite handy if you’re craving a midnight snack. 

Beyond the vending machines is the dining room and attached kitchen. There are a good amount of seats and tables in the dining room, and the kitchen is typical of that usually found in hostels. All of the necessary appliances are available for guests to use at their leisure (stove, oven, refrigerator, dry shelf storage, rice cooker, kettle). I used the kitchen once during my stay to reheat leftovers, and I ate in the dining room. It was a stress-free experience and I felt completely comfortable. 

There is also an outdoor patio out the back through the lobby. I saw multiple guests enjoying the patio during my stay. It isn’t large, but having an outdoor spot connected to the hostel is nice. Especially in a city like Denver, which has beautiful weather in the spring and summer. 

How much does it cost to stay at 11th Avenue Hostel?

I paid roughly $166 for a total of three nights. If you’re looking in Denver for places to stay as a solo traveler, this is likely one of the best rates you’ll find in the downtown area. I’ve seen the rates for 11th Avenue Hostel Denver fluctuate between $50-$60 per night for this level of accommodation. Of course, private rooms will be more expensive. At the time of updating this blog post (December 2023), private room rates start at $98 per night.

Seasonality and demand may also impact the pricing for each accommodation type at 11th Avenue Hostel. Make sure to check multiple sites (including the hostel’s own website) before completing your booking to ensure you’re getting the best rate! When in doubt, I’d contact the hostel directly to see if they’ll price match or if they’re running any deals or special rates.

Where is 11th Avenue Hostel Denver located?

11th Avenue Hostel Denver is located in downtown Denver, just half a mile away from the Colorado State Capitol and Civic Center Park. There are also several fun bars and nightclubs within a 5-minute walking radius of the hostel. On a Saturday night, the hostel is the perfect spot to stay based on its proximity to all of the fun nightlife in the area (check out Milk Bar if you’re staying near the hostel!). 11th Avenue Hostel Denver is also close to the Denver Art Museum and Molly Brown House Museum.

In Denver, places to stay as a solo traveler can be sparse (especially ones that are affordable and safe). I would absolutely stay at 11th Avenue Hostel in Denver again in a heartbeat! I personally loved the location and felt safe enough to walk to most of the major spots I wanted to visit during my trip.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I had a great stay at 11th Avenue Hostel Denver and I would absolutely stay there again. It was clean, comfortable, and safe. Based on its recently renovated interior and close proximity to popular attractions, 11th Avenue Hostel ranks high on my list of options in Denver for places to stay as a solo traveler!

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Interested in checking out some other posts from my blog? Here are some of my other hostel-related articles for you to enjoy while you’re here:

• HI New Orleans Hostel Review
• Cambie Gastown Hostel Vancouver, BC Review
• Hostel vs. Hotel vs. Airbnb: Comparison Review

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Have you ever stayed at a hostel? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments below, or send me an email at sydney@sydneybrowntravels.com! 

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