I had some really cool conversations in this hostel.\nAnd it has excellent amenities.\nFirst hostel with nice countertops I've ever seen.\nIt is probably physically the nicest hostel I've ever stayed in. \n\nPhoenix seems like a pretty laid back place. \nAs one of the hostel workers put it \"We hang out a lot here.\"\nI didn't really talk with Amber but her and her friends were around and definitely very social and friendly. \n\nThis hostel would totally work for you if you like chilling out in the sun and/or drinking. Actually, it would probably even be cool for a hostelling staycation. \n\nThings relatively near here:\n-A gas station\n-A Chipotle(burritos, etc.)\n-Zoe's (grilled pimento cheese, spinach rolls-- this stuff was good)\n-The little bar the hostel peeps seem to like  hanging out at. \n\nThings near but sort of far unless you have a car:\n-Safeway (groceries)\n-CVS (pharmacy things)\n\nThings I did while I was here:\n-Desert Botantical Garden (gorgeous!)\n-Musical Instrument Museum (coolest museum I've been to in my life!)\n-Shopped at Mercado Mexico (Mexican imports)\n-Shopped at House of Rice (Japanese imports, origami paper and pan-asian food supplies)\n\nThings I can't comment on:\n-Public transport; I didn't take it and rented a car at my friend's suggestion, since I wanted to visit the PHX suburbs. \n\nThings I can comment on:\n-I didn't fall off the top bunk. And generally prefer them since, idk, didn't everyone want top bunk as a kid? But, these bunks have no guard rails.\n\nWeird shit that isn't really directly relate to the hostel:\n-There were a *lot* of guys here. Maybe it was just my week or whatever. But, seriously backpacking ladies come and even this dynamic out!\n\n Guys on backpacking trails are often only looking for two things \"alcohol and easy american women\" as two guys in this hostel just so happened to tell me quite freely. But, ugh. Bored dudes in the desert, no bueno. \n\nSo, in short, facilities gorgeous. But, probably not the right place or week for me. \nI guess I wonder what the general demographic is that makes it down to Phoenix.\n\n The city itself was a pretty cool sprawling mass though. Definitely growing and \"new\".