Hi-Downing International Hostel

I found Downing Hostel to be one of the cleanest, loveliest places to stay ever in all my trips. Downing Hostel is a former lovely home - with a big wide staircase with stained glass windows leading from the lobby to the upstairs sleeping rooms.The staircase and windows are truly a work of historical art. The hostel is in a lovely neighborhood with well-kept lovely homes. It is a residential neighborhood - you do hear some car traffic - it is average for that kind of neighborhood, I would say, and not excessive. It is not heavy truck traffic like on a highway, for instance. Free parking is in the hostel driveway. It has been converted into a gracious hostel by Hosteling International - which owns the property now and has resident seasonal mangers. HI maintains high standards for all its properties so I always look for one of their places to stay when traveling. The managing couple this summer were extremely hospitable and helpful with questions. I was even welcomed by name and the front door opened when I arrived - so it had the flavor of being welcomed to a friends' lovely home. That was nice after driving in hot traffic. Downing Hostel was exceptionally clean. Sheets were pure white, clean with no laundry perfume smell. Mattresses had fresh mattress covers. Blankets were all clean and matching. Mattresses were also comfy - neither old nor lumpy! Ditto for fresh good pillows. The kitchen is in the basement. It too was immaculate and dishes and pots, etc perfectly arranged and maintained. The basement coolness was especially appreciated during the very hot summer days I visited the hostel. I enjoyed coming down the big wide oak? staircase in the morning - it felt like a scene from a classic movie. Bathrooms were beautiful period pieces of architecture - with the classic hexagonal white tiles, big porcelain sink, and a tub enclosure modernized with grab bars. Bedrooms had nice oriental rugs which all matched - giving a sense of peacefulness and serenity - much appreciated during a hectic travel weekend. Overall, I immensely enjoyed staying in this hostel, and wish I had an excuse to visit again. It is a small hostel in a beautiful old home from 1895.There is 1 full bathroom for women, and 1 full bathroom for men. There is an extra toilet on the main floor. The hostel is apparently only open in the warm months - closing in September for the winter. Seems heat is too expensive in the frozen north to maintain this building with its relatively few visitors. ie it is a small hostel - not a large one. That is a shame for winter visitors to Syracuse! Check their website for updates on their open dates, though. There is good WIFI throughout the hostel. The host couple have put out and organized a great collection of information about visiting Syracuse: booklets, brochures, train schedules, places to visit, etc. Check out time is now 10 AM and the hostel closes for the day as it is small and the hosts have the day free. It reopens at 5 PM for check ins. To me, this means the hostel maintains good security - which I appreciate. This hostel is a great place to stay for visitors to Syracuse and surrounding area, Syracuse University, various artists, travelers, etc. I highly recommend Downing Hostel.