I Stayed in a Hostel for the First Time: My Green Tortoise Seattle Review

I’ve traveled a lot, but there’s one type of travel experience I’ve mostly avoided: hostels.

I’m normally a hotel or Airbnb traveler. I like having my own space, my own bathroom, and, most importantly, the ability to come back after a long day and completely shut the world out.

But a quick 48-hour trip to Seattle finally convinced me to try something different. I was heading to Seattle to help a friend, and when I started looking for places to stay, everything I was finding was around $150 or more per night. For a trip where I knew I wasn’t going to spend much time in the room, I really didn’t want to pay that.

That’s when I found Green Tortoise Hostel. It was considerably more affordable, directly across the street from Pike Place Market, and gave me an opportunity to finally answer a question I’d had for years:

Could I actually stay in a hostel?

Short answer: yes.

Would I make it my regular way of traveling?

Probably not.

Technically, This Wasn’t My First Hostel

Before Seattle, I had technically stayed at a hostel once before in Antigua, Guatemala. One major difference: I booked a private room. I had my own sleeping space and only shared the bathroom, so in many ways it still felt closer to the type of accommodation I normally choose. At Green Tortoise, I stayed in a six-bed shared dorm with five other travelers.

I honestly couldn’t tell you much about the people who stayed in my room because everyone seemed to trickle in at different times. When people were there, they mostly kept to themselves behind their curtains. And for this particular trip, that was perfectly fine with me.

I wasn’t staying at the hostel to make friends or have a social experience. It also gave me a chance to experience an American hostel and decide whether I’d consider shared dorms again.

First, Hostel Etiquette Is Real

Your room isn’t necessarily a place to hang out because everyone is operating on a different schedule. Someone may be sleeping in the middle of the afternoon. Someone else may be getting up at 5 a.m. for a flight. Another person might be coming back late after being out all night. You quickly realize the room is primarily a place to sleep.

The unspoken rules seemed pretty straightforward: come in quietly, get what you need, and let people rest. That means no loud conversations, unnecessary lights, or spending 20 minutes reorganizing your entire suitcase at midnight. Privacy curtains around each bunk gave everyone a little separation.

My setup also included storage, a reading light, a fan, and access to an outlet. But there’s no getting around the obvious: you’re still sleeping in a room with strangers. If that makes you uncomfortable, a shared dorm probably isn’t for you.

The Part of Hostel Travel I Actually Really Liked

One thing I noticed right away was the mix of travelers. People from different countries, age groups, and backgrounds passed through the same space. Green Tortoise has shared spaces, a communal kitchen, and organized activities, so there are plenty of opportunities to meet other travelers if that’s what you want from your stay.

For solo travelers especially, I can see how a hostel could completely change the experience of visiting a new city. You can arrive alone without necessarily feeling like you’re traveling alone.

My Experience at Green Tortoise Hostel

Overall, I had a good experience at Green Tortoise Hostel. The staff made a great first impression. Everyone I interacted with was friendly, and anytime I had a question, someone was available to help. As someone figuring out the whole shared-hostel thing in real time, I appreciated that. The property itself is quirky and honestly feels a little like stepping back into the 1980s. I wouldn’t describe it as modern, and some areas could definitely use a facelift.

Green Tortoise offers different dorm configurations, including four-, six-, and eight-bed rooms, along with co-ed and female-only options. They also offer private rooms for travelers who want the hostel environment without sharing a sleeping space. The bathrooms are individual rooms with a sink, toilet, shower, and locking door, which gives you privacy once you’re inside.

The hostel also has a communal kitchen, laundry, Wi-Fi, baggage storage, and common areas. Full disclosure: I didn’t actually shower at the hostel.

My bougie gym was about five minutes away, so I went there to work out, shower, and change instead.

The LocatioN

You walk outside, and Pike Place Market is right there in front of you. The hostel is located at 105B Pike Street, directly across from the market. It had been exactly 10 years since my last visit to Pike Place, so I took some time to walk through, grab Chinese dumplings, and gawk at the flower market.

Being central means you can walk out the door and start your day instead of spending half your trip sitting in traffic or figuring out transportation.

Who I Think Hostels Make Sense For

After experiencing a shared dorm myself, I understand the appeal of hostel travel much more. I think they make the most sense for solo travelers, budget travelers, friends traveling together, and anyone taking a quick trip where the room is mainly for sleeping.

For solo travelers, the communal setup can also make it easier to meet people, get recommendations, and potentially find someone to explore with.

For friends, sharing a dorm can be an inexpensive way to stay somewhere central without paying for multiple hotel rooms. Once you're traveling with three or more people, though, I would also compare the hostel price with an Airbnb or hotel suite. Depending on the city, splitting a larger space may make more sense.

Interestingly, I’m also more open to staying in hostels abroad than I am in the U.S. I don’t have a particularly logical explanation for that. I have a mental block with America that I don’t seem to have when I’m traveling internationally.

Am I Too Old for Hostels?

This was probably the bigger question running through my head. Hostels are often associated with backpackers in their early 20s hopping around Europe with one bag and absolutely no concern about where they’re sleeping that night. That’s not exactly where I am in my travel life.

I like coming back to my room, closing the door, taking off all my clothes and completely relaxing without worrying about anybody else. A destination where saving money on my room means I can spend more on food, experiences, or another trip? It's really important for me because I travel so much.

So, Would I Stay at Green Tortoise Again?

Yes, under the right circumstances.

I wouldn’t choose it over a nice hotel if both were similarly priced. But if I’m taking a short trip, hotel prices are high, and I prioritize location over luxury, I would absolutely consider Green Tortoise again.

Ultimately, I got exactly what I needed from the stay:

• A place to sleep.

• A great location.

• A more affordable trip.

• A new travel experience.

The more you travel, the easier it becomes to figure out exactly what you like and build routines around those preferences. But sometimes being a better traveler also means knowing when to break your own routine. I’m probably not becoming a hostel regular anytime soon. But now I know I have another option.

Devonta shares his first shared-dorm hostel experience.