Michie Hostel

Stayed here with my partner for a fun weekend in Providence and honestly really enjoyed it. The room isn’t fancy, but it was clean, cozy, and the bed was super comfortable — perfect for a couple of nights. We spent both nights downstairs at Dancing Cats, had some drinks, danced a lot, and even made a few new friends. After staying out late, it was great to just walk upstairs and be in the room in a minute. The self check-in instructions were clear and easy to follow, and the whole stay felt simple and relaxed. For a couple looking to have a good time and keep things affordable, this place is a great pick.

I recently stayed at Michie Hostel in Providence and had a mixed experience that, unfortunately, leaned more negative than positive. On arrival, the first thing I noticed was the extremely loud music coming from outside—it could be heard several blocks away. Thankfully, once inside the hostel, the soundproofing was surprisingly effective, and most outside noise was well mitigated. Although the booking instructions stated there would be no host on-site, I was greeted by someone who introduced herself as the host. To her credit, she was warm and welcoming, gave me a quick tour of the space, and generously helped me connect my CPAP machine to the upper bunk—something I genuinely appreciated. It was also a nice touch that she made previously left-behind towels and bath products available for guests who might have forgotten essentials. There were a few other things I appreciated about the hostel: it's a non-smoking property, it offers same-sex dorms which can be more comfortable for some travelers, and it accommodates late check-ins, which made my arrival smooth despite the hour. Email customer service was also extremely responsive, which helped with a few pre-arrival questions. That said, there were several key issues. First, the listing did not mention that the sleeping arrangements included bunk beds—something that may matter to travelers with mobility or health considerations. The entry system relies entirely on a phone app, which I found glitchy and difficult to use at first. While I did eventually gain access, it was not a smooth start. Most frustratingly, the host—despite identifying as an experienced hosteler—came into the room at 1:30 AM and played movies out loud as a way to fall asleep. While I understand using media as a sleep aid (I do the same), it felt extremely inconsiderate in a shared dorm setting to do so without headphones. My multiple polite requests to lower the volume were ignored, and the movies played on until my alarms went off at 6:30 AM, making for a nearly sleepless night. In short, while the hostel has potential and some thoughtful features, the experience was ultimately disappointing due to poor communication, a lack of transparency in the listing, and inconsiderate behavior that significantly affected my ability to rest. I hope improvements are made for future guests.

No one was there, it was not clean, and I have received zero compensation for our inability to stay there.