Hostel Review: Pilgrim House Hostel and Retreat Center in Memphis, Tennessee

As of summer 2008 there is only one hostel operating in Memphis, TN. That hostel is Pilgrim House Hostel and Retreat Center, located on 1000 South Cooper inside First Congregational Church. This location puts the hostel in the middle of the vibrant and diverse Cooper Young neighborhood in Midtown Memphis. The hostel isn't perfect, but if you are looking for cheap night's stay in Memphis it is the way to go.

Facilities

Pilgrim House offers private, dorm, and bunk rooms, common areas, full baths in the halls, a kitchen, and food storage areas. Also for visitors there are laundry facilities, a recycling center, Internet access, and off-street parking.

Daily Chores

It is a traditional hostel that operates through guest participation in daily chores, so be prepared to do a little bit of work to spend the night. The hostel is very clean which is mostly thanks to the hard work of travelers who spend the night there. This can be annoying to some guests who end up doing more chores than they feel are necessary for their length of stay.

Cost and Reservations

Pilgrim House recommends reservations but they are not required. They have a limited number of private rooms and if you want one of these you should definitely call ahead, possibly two to three months in advance to make sure you get a room. The private rooms cost $25 per night for one person or $40 per night for two people.

Pilgrim House offers one female dorm, one male dorm, and 2 co-ed dorm room options. The beds in these rooms are mostly single but they do have a few double beds that can be reserved. This option will run $15 per night.

Pilgrim House also offers bunk rooms for $10 a night per person, but there rooms have access to different facilities and are only available by reservation of groups of 6 or more.

You can check into the hostel from 4 to 8 p.m. and check out time is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Cash, checks, Visa, and Mastercard are all accepted forms of payment and all visitors have to present some form of id such as a drivers license or passport.

Cooper Young and Memphis

The historic Cooper Young neighborhood where the hostel resides is one of the most cultured of Memphis. The neighborhood contains homes, shops, and restaurants and is known for its artistic, musical, diverse atmosphere. It is the most creative area in Memphis. However, this area is a good distance from most of Memphis's main attractions, like Beale Street in Downtown Memphis. You will have to take the bus or call a cab to reach the most popular tourist destinations.

Contact Pilgrim House

To contact the Pilgrim House Hostel & Retreat Center you can mail them at 1000 S. Cooper St. Memphis, TN 38104, call them at 901.273.8341 or e-mail them at pilgrimhouse06@yahoo.com.