Bank Street Hostel - Best Value Accommodations in Old City, Philadelphia

Without doubt, the historic area known as Old City is the most interesting part of downtown Philadelphia. Boasting of nearby attractions such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall (where the signing of the Constitution took place in 1787), and the waterfront Penn's Landing, it also possesses the most vibrant nightlife, with numerous bars, restaurants, and cafes concentrated in Old City and packed to the brim with revelers on weekends. Incredibly exciting, huh? The downside is that if your travel plans include staying in the Old City, most of the hotels in the area will set you back at least $150 per night (not including applicable taxes). Quite an expensive proposition indeed.�

However, let that not be an obstacle to visiting downtown Philadelphia. If you are willing to sacrifice a little of comfort and are open to the idea of sharing living quarters with and meeting other travellers, then the Bank St. youth hostel might just fit the bill. It is centrally located in the heart of Old City just off the main thoroughfare (Market St.) in a quiet little alley called - what else? - Bank St. All the above-mentioned attractions and nightlife are mere steps and minutes�away. As for cost, a bunk bed in a dormitory - segregated by gender, of course -�is an amazing rate of $20/night for Hostelling International members.�For non-HI members an additional $3/night surcharge applies and is collected upon arrival. There are no private rooms at this hostel. �

Some travellers who subscribe to the notion of "You get what you pay for" immediately become suspicious, and think that because the Bank St. hostel charges so little, then it must be a dump. They are surely in for a pleasant surprise. On the contrary, the Bank St. hostel provides a lot of amenities. Immediately upon walking inside the hostel, the sight of the pool table greets you on the right side. To the left is a spacious lounge with TV where one can hang out and read books/magazines, play board games (Pictionary, Clue and Monopoly are all available), or watch the nightly 9pm movie feature - all for free. The cozy atmosphere resembles that of being in your own living room, or that of a friend's house. Travellers from all nations congregate in the lounge all the time, and in the space of three days I personally chatted with people from 8 different countries - an experience quite unique in itself. Turning to more practical matters, the Bank St. hostel also provides clean bed sheets, laundry facilities, a small kitchenette, and coin lockers (bring your own padlock!) for storing valuables.�Be forewarned also that the hostel operates only from 8-11am and 430pm onwards. This is to keep operating costs low and pass on the savings to travellers. All the more motivation to go out there and explore the sights of Old City and the rest of downtown Philadelphia.

Accommodations-wise, Bank St. hostel has a capacity of 70 beds divided into only 3 large rooms, each one with 20-odd beds. This setup is somewhat atypical of youth hostels, thus it is worth keeping in mind that there is a fair chance of having a loud talking or snoring roommate. If you are an offender in this category, then be extra considerate to all those other travellers you might be disturbing. Shared bathroom facilites are down the hall and are kept spotlessly clean and fresh smelling. To ease those still with lingering doubts, take note that the Bank St. hostel is a member�of the Hostelling International USA (HI-USA) network, which in cooperation with other national associations worldwide, belongs to the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF). As such, it has the trademark and seal of approval of the IYHF, assuring travelers quality, affordable accommodations that are subject to routine surprise inspections.�So stop worrying about bed bugs!

Lastly, it is a misconception that youth hostels cater only to college-age backpackers on a tight budget. Yes, they are represented in large numbers, but savvy travellers of all ages (including some who are clearly members of the AARP as well) come to Bank St. hostel, and the one thing they have in common is�the nose to sniff out a great deal, if not the best deal, on accommodations in Old City. So, come out to Philadelphia, enjoy the historical sights of Old City, dine and wine in the restaurants, and stay at the Bank St. hostel - you'll surely get a lot�more value for what you shell out.�Booking your stay is convenient and easy at the Hostelling International website (refer to appendix).

Appendix:

For more information:
Bank St. Hostel�
http://www.bankstreethostel.com
32 S. Bank St., Philadelphia, PA 19106�
(215)922-0222

For online availability/reservations:�
Hostelling International�
http://www.hihostels.com