Heart of Santo Domingo.With a stay at this Zona Colonial hostel, you'll be steps from Museo del Duarte and Amber World Museum. Museo del Ron y la Caña and Church of Saint Barbara are also within half a mile (1 km).
Manuel de Jesus Abreu Galvan Station - 3 min drive
Las Americas Intl. Airport (SDQ) - 27 min drive
Restaurants
Curcio Pizza al Taglio - 4 min walk
Casa Barista - 6 min walk
Casa de los Dulces - 3 min walk
Pat'e Palo European Brasserie - 3 min walk
Sabina Bar - 3 min walk
About this property
Island Life Hostel
Hostel near Malecon in Santo Domingo
You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is available daily. Public spaces have free WiFi.
An outdoor pool, a rooftop terrace, and barbecue grills are also featured at Island Life Hostel. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) is available for a fee.
Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Santo Domingo hostel.
9 guestrooms or units
Cooked-to-order breakfast (free)
Terrace on the roof
Dry cleaning
Self-service laundry
Front desk (limited hours)
Storage area for luggage
Front-desk safe
Tour and ticket information
Game room or arcade
Pool or billiards table
Garden
BBQ grill(s)
Outdoor picnic space
Television in lobby
Smoking in designated areas
Bar or lounge
Island Life Hostel offers 9 accommodations with safes. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Languages
English, Spanish
Property amenities
Internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)
Food and drink
Free cooked-to-order breakfast available daily 7 AM–10 AM
1 bar
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Billiards/pool table
Outdoor pool
Accessibility
This property does not have elevators
Room amenities
Bathroom
Shampoo
Shower
Towels
Food and drink
Shared kitchen access
More
Safe
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 1 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The property charges 4 percent for credit card payments
The front desk is open daily from 6 AM - midnight
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after midnight please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
All guests must show a valid passport. This is the only form of identification that is accepted at this property.
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children 18 and younger are not allowed at this property. All guests older than 18 are welcome.
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Airport shuttle fee: USD 35 per vehicle (one-way)
Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 4 percent
This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, and a first aid kit
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy. A cash deposit for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in. Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit cards, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.
We should mention
Children 18 years old and younger aren't allowed at this property.
Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
Property is also known as
Island Life Backpacker's Hostel Santo Domingo
Island Life Backpacker's Santo Domingo
Island Life Backpacker's
Island Life Hostel Santo Domingo
Island Life Santo Domingo
Island Life Backpacker's Hostel
Life Hostel Santo Domingo
Island Life Hostel Santo Domingo
Island Life Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Island Life Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Santo Domingo
Island Life Hostel Reviews
Reviews
8.6
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 43 out of 74 reviews" "
10 - Excellent
43
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 74 reviews" "
8 - Good
17
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 74 reviews" "
6 - Okay
7
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 74 reviews" "
4 - Poor
5
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 74 reviews" "
2 - Terrible
2
8.4/10
Cleanliness
8.8/10
Staff & service
8.0/10
Amenities
8.4/10
Property conditions & facilities
8.2/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Larry
15 Jul 2024
Excellent staff and even better price
Larry
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
4/10 Poor
Arjun
20 Dec 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
Loved the property and the people I met there - just had a big complaint about the owner. I've stayed in dozens of hostels while travelling through over 30 countries but this has been the most incosiderate hostel owner I've ever seen.
He likes keeping his dogs on property both of which like barking really loudly at random noises throughout the night which kept me up. He also just brings his friends over on weekdays from out of the hostel to e party right in front of the rooms (they didn't even go to the common area) which also kept me up. Also someone got sick in my dorm and was asking the owner if he could get some medicine or some help from the owner who was on property, but the owner refused to even go to the room to see him.
I wouldn't recommend booking this property because I think it's a bad idea to give money/support a bad hostel owner like this one.
La pasé muy bien en el hotel , el personal muy acomedido y las instalaciones en buenas condiciones y sobre todo la ubicación para ir a los diferentes lugares turísticos ... excelente .
Island Life Hostel is in a perfect spot of Santo Domingo that made it easy to walk around town. The hostel itself is clean, good amenities, and friendly staff!
This was my first ever experience in a hostel . At first when I arrived I thought as though I may of made a mistake from the entire environment. Very different from a hotel . I was here on a couples visit . But as I settled in I realized I was getting exactly what I paid for and I got the hostel experience. The owner and manager are really great guys and will do everything within their power to make you feel welcome and feel like a home away from home . Hostels unlike hotels really push for a more social atmosphere and I meet some really great people .Had a lot of fun at the bar and one day had there Nachos (and they are very good ) I ended up loving this place . But know exactly what you are getting .
Very nice hostel in a great location. Right near the top attractions, restaurants and bars. The staff is absolutely amazing and the nicest people. They are very helpful in giving tips and advice on how to navigate the city and answer any questions. Would highly recommend.
This place is like an oasis in a desert of sulking, scowling misery. Pedro is an excellent manager and super helpful. The staff are smiling and extremely pleasant. This has an amazing effect on the travelers mood. The young Frenchman is an amusing character. The Hungarian volunteer who showed me to my room was especially awesome. The small rooms are really all one needs and the colonial character fits in with the zone. All of the important sites are within ten minutes walking distance. Free wi-fi and about 150 pesos for an Uber to the bus station. A little noisy in the courtyard at night but the cacophony of conversation is constant like white noise on the TV so I slept well. Don't waste your money - stay here!
Located in an a stuning building, having a great atmosphere with the guests and staff. The breakfast is good and you'll have everything you need. Dont skip this one while travelling around the D.R.
this place far exceeded any expectations I had. The person who checked me in gave me all the info I needed about the property. All the staff and volunteers were so friendly and helpful. They made me feel really welcome. Having a free buffet breakfast is a treat in a hostel. Also, there is a chef who prepares an evening meal if you want to have it at a fairly reasonable cost. (Though the portions could be a little bigger). The food was very tasty. I was in a private room. Room is very small, but had AC and a private bathroom and was completely serviceable. The bar prices are not bad at all. 100pesos for a cuba libre cocktail. The volunteers took me to see the local dance show on the Sunday night and another took me on a free walking tour of the city on the Monday. Overall, the positives far outweigh the negatives at this hostel. The amazing volunteers give this place so much credit. The general feeling here is great and it takes only a few minutes to find some new friends for life. A great place for solo travellers to stay. I cannot comment on the dorm rooms as I was in a private one, but can say the communal bathrooms were well maintained. Clean and tidy.
The property was as expected. The downside is that there is no wifi access in the room rio dd Janeiro. If I knew this before booking, I wouldn't have stayed there.
Also the power cuts out at times. It happened in the middle of the night and I woke up because my room was so hot, I could barely breathe.
The combination of Hostel and Bar is nice. The have free drinking water and the breakfast is fantastic with eggs, pancakes, juice and coffee. They have lockers in the rooms and the staff is nice and helpful.
Huge hostel with a pool. The staff was super friendly and help me to plan a Trip to Haiti. They offer free water and an all you can eat breakfast. The owner has traveled the world and we had a nice chat. Kitchen is well equipped and my bed had a fan, light and power plug to charge my phone. Location is good and close to a big supermarket.
Timm
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
Travelled with family
5 Jun 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
I loved the feel of the place, the people staying there, the owners and staff, the place in general. I will stay there again. It’s very down to earth and not fancy. And I like that.