FAQs – Monterey Hostel

Here's some more info to help you plan your stay 🙂

Requirements for guest stay...

Must be 18 or older (unless traveling with a parent or legal guardian AND booking a private room)

Bring a valid government-issued ID + Debit/Credit Card in your name.

We do not accept 3rd party payment. The card used for payment must belong to at least one of the guests staying in our hostel. Please be prepared to show your card and ID at check-in.

Welcome!

What is a hostel?

Hostels are lodging accommodations that offer shared and private room (with ensuites!) lodging to world travelers. Guests share facilities (kitchen, shared dorms, outdoor deck, and courtyard), resources, and experiences to make travel more affordable, more fun, and less impactful on the environment. It’s also totally ok if you want to do your own thing and avoid the common areas. Our private rooms are super cozy!

As our friends at Hosteling.US said, “Hostels are almost always the most affordable and memorable way to travel throughout the United States.”

common spaces & dormitories

How it All Works

We have a community kitchen where guests can refridgerate food, cook a simple meal, and dine with other travelers. There is complementary tea and coffee also.
Hostel etiquette expects guests to always clean up after themselves, including washing, drying, and putting away your dishes so that other guests can use them, and picking up after yourself in your room and in the bathrooms.
If you book a shared dorm, you are reserving 1 bed for 1 person in a room that will be shared with other travelers. Our rooms are compact, so guests should limit their luggage to no more than 2 bags per guest. Please keep them under your bed.
We have some small lockers available for you to secure valuables (you must bring your own lock), but they are not large enough for suitcases. We recommend booking a private room if you wish to lock away most of your belongings. We are not able to hold or store guests' belongings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are your office hours?

We are a small operation and do not hold regular reception hours. Someone from our team is on-site daily to oversee the hostel and is on-call for overnight emergencies. If we do not answer the phone, it’s because we are with a guest, cleaning, or working on a project outdoors. We prefer you text or email us with questions.

Who can stay at the hostel?

All guests must be 18 or older with a valid government-issued ID and a credit/debit card with your name on it. We do not accept 3rd party payment. The credit card or debit card used for payment must belong to at least one of the guests staying overnight in our hostel.

How do I check in?

Rooms are available for self-check-in after 4 pm each day. Each adult (18+) must provide us a copy of your ID in order for us to activate your door codes. Self check-in instructions will be emailed to you the day before arrival.

Strict quiet hours begin at 10 PM, and we are unable to accommodate arrivals after this time. Please plan accordingly. There is no curfew for guests staying on our property once you are checked in, however, our indoor and outdoor common spaces close at 10 pm to help ensure everyone can have a restful night.

Are linens and towels provided?

Yes! We provide all linens, pillow, quilt, and one shower towel (additional towels are $1). Please do not bring any outside linens as they are not permitted.

Can I store my bags before or after checkin?

Guests can store their bags with us for free, though we do not assume liability if items go missing. We also have small valuable lockers available but you have to provide your own lock.

How long can I stay at the hostel?

Guests can stay a maximum of 21 consecutive nights at the hostel every 6 months.

Monterey Hostel was established to provide clean, safe, and more eco-friendly lodging options for travelers visiting Monterey Bay. We do not permit locals or residents for longer-term stays.

When is checkout?

Check-out is before 11:00 AM. Please strip sheets and pillowcases from all used beds and put them in the laundry bins by the reception desk. Please sign the departure sheet to let our staff know you have departed. If you want to extend your stay, please book additional nights via our website.

Can I make group reservations at Monterey Hostel?

Yes, we love hosting family gatherings, student groups, work retreats, or just a weekend away with friends! We can accommodate up to 50 guests currently. Please email us for information about group bookings and we can help organize your group outing. info@montereyhostel.com

Do you have quiet hours?

Quiet hours start at 10pm and are strict to keep the building quiet for everyone’s enjoyment. All indoor and outdoor common areas close at 10pm, including the kitchen. Please be courteous to other guests and our neighbors.

Do you have laundry facilities?

Unfortunately, we do not offer guest laundry. Monterey lacks adequate access to freshwater and our water supply is very restricted. There are two laundromat’s one mile from the hostel and both are near coffee shops.

Getting around?

We are located at 778 Hawthorne Street, Monterey CA 93940.

We are located in the “Lighthouse District” in the neighborhood called “New Monterey”. We are 3 blocks from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and the ocean!

There is a city bus stop at Lighthouse/Irving (1-block away) with busses that run every 15-30 minutes with direct lines to downtown Pacific Grove, downtown Monterey, the Monterey County Fairgrounds, and the MTA Transit hub (with connections to Carmel, Carmel Valley, Marina, and Salinas).

We are 2-blocks from the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, which stretches 18 miles, from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south. This popular paved (and wheelchair accessible) path hugs the coast, connecting you with various parks, beaches, and numerous sea mammals who call the Monterey Peninsula home.

Do you offer parking?

Guests who stay Sunday-Wednesday get free parking! For guests booking Thursday, Friday, or Saturday nights, parking is available in the hostel parking lot for $10/night per vehicle and includes a carbon offset paid to a Monterey-based nonprofit specializing in zero-waste events and environmental stewardship.

There is free street parking available throughout our neighborhood from 6pm-8am daily. Street parking is metered or time-limited during the day.

Do you offer storage for bikes or other gear?

– You are welcome to store your kayak, surfboards, and wetsuits in our open courtyard. Please note we do not have an outdoor shower or hose available due to the restricted water supply. We have scuba gear lockers and bike lockers available for $5/day (These require our staff to facilitate access or checkout keys).