HI-Chicago Rated Best City Hostel in the World in 2006

Hostelling International Chicago was recently voted “Best Large Hostel in the World Award” by travelers visiting from around the globe via hostelworld.com, an independent booking engine and rating system. Individual guests who booked and stayed in 2006 were able to rate their stay and compared to thousands of other locations, HI-Chicago came out on top as the best overall stay experience. The rating is based on a mix of criteria including comfort, cleanliness, security and welcome.

Travelers love HI-Chicago for many reasons. In accordance with Hostelling International’s global commitment to a quality stay, HI-Chicago offers a range of popular amenities, is professionally managed and is a meticulously clean hostel. Its popularity is also increased by its location, being close to many of Chicago’s best attractions. HI-Chicago is located at Congress & Wabash: HI-Chicago offers 500 beds at peak capacity in the summer. For individual travelers the rate at the hostel is from $27 and groups are also welcome. Advance reservations are recommended. See www.hichicago.org for more information.

New Eurail Passes Available at the HI-Travel Center in Santa Monica

Rail Europe has added two new rail passes that offer convenience and great prices for your next trip to Europe. The new products are the Germany-Czech Pass and the Germany-Poland Passes. These passes along with the full line of Eurail Passes are issued on the spot at the HI-Travel Center. These are excellent travel products for anyone who is planning a trip to those neighboring countries. Rail Europe has several other country combinations that might be a more cost effective rail pass for your trip than the traditional Eurail Pass. These include passes for: France-Germany, France-Italy, France-Spain, France-Switzerland, Greece-Italy, Germany-Switzerland, Hungary-Croatia-Slovenia, Hungary-Romania, and Portugal-Spain. Most of these passes come in First Class, Second Class, Youth and Saverpass versions. For information on these passes call the HI Travel Center at 310-393-3414 or stop by and let the staff walk you through all your options. The HI-Travel Center is located at 1434 Second Street in Santa Monica. Store hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon-Fri, and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturdays (closed Sundays and Holidays).

Directions to the HI-Travel Center

World Travel 101 Workshops

If you are planning a trip this summer the HI-Travel Center in Santa Monica will be conducting a series of budget travel workshops to help you with your trip preparations. The workshops are geared to help the first time traveler plan and execute a memorable trip. The workshops are held on Saturdays and usually last an hour and a half to two hours. The workshops are open to the public and begin at 11 a.m. Admission for Hostelling International members is $5 and $10 for non-members.

Upcoming Workshops Include:

 

April 28	Europe
May 5	Women Traveling Solo
May 12	Europe
June 2	Europe by Rail
June 9	Europe
June 16	Europe

 

All World Travel 101 Workshops are conducted at the HI-Travel Centre, 1434 Second Street in Santa Monica (between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd.). There is a public parking structure directly across the street from the Travel Center with two hours of free parking. Admission for Hostelling International members is $5 and $10 for non-members.

HI-Seattle Closes

After 20 years in its Pike Place Market location the HI-Seattle hostel closed on Saturday, March 17th, 2007. The closure of this great hostel is due to an expiring lease agreement and area development plan that unfortunately does not include a hostel facility. This is a sad development for HI after years of commitment to provide an excellent hostel stay to many thousands of visitors from around the world. However, it certainly closes on a high note after receiving the "2nd Best Hostel in North America" award this past January.

HI-USA is currently pursuing several options in hopes of securing a new hostel facility for Seattle as soon as possible. Please keep checking back at www.hiusa.org for the latest news on a new hostel development for this great city.

In the meantime, should you be traveling to the Seattle area the HI hostel on Vashon Island is just a quick 10 minute ferry boat ride from the city center and will open for the summer season starting May 1st. For more information or to make reservations at HI-Vashon Island Ranch Hostel, please see below:

Phone: (206) 463-2592

Reservations: www.hiusa.org

Information: www.vashonhostel.com

HI-USA is a non-profit organization promoting world understanding since 1934

A Publication of
The Los Angeles Council of HI-USA
1434 Second Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310 393-3413
lahostels.org