Island Life Hostel

1.0 star property
your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Island Life Hostel

Terrace/patio
1 Bed in a Shared 8 Bed Dormitory, Shared Bathroom | View from room
Outdoor pool
Outdoor dining
Free daily cooked-to-order breakfast

Reviews

8.6 out of 10

Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Breakfast included
  • Housekeeping
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Pool

Explore the area

Map
Calle Isabel La Catolica #356, Colonial Zone, Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, 10210
  • Alcazar de Colon
    3 min walk
  • Calle Las Damas
    4 min walk
  • Columbus Park
    6 min walk
  • Santo Domingo (HEX-Herrera Intl.)
    23 min drive

Room options

Basic Triple Room, 1 Bedroom

  • 12 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed OR 1 Twin Bed

Twin Bed Private , Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

1 Bed in a Shared 8 Bed Dormitory, Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Twin Bed Bunk Beds Private Ensuite

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

Double Private, Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Double Ensuite, Private Bathroom and AC

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

1 Bed in a Shared 12 Bed Dormitory,Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

1 Bed in a Shared 4 Bed Dormitory, Shared Bathroom with AC

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Double Ensuite,Private Bathroom and A/C

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Basic Double Room, 1 Double Bed

  • 10 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

1 Bed in a Shared 4 Bed Dormitory, Shared Bathroom with AC

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Santo Domingo

With a stay at Island Life Hostel, you'll be centrally located in Santo Domingo, a 2-minute drive from Malecon and 9 minutes from Blue Mall. .This hostel is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Church of Saint Barbara and 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Iglesia de Santa Bárbara.

What's nearby

  • Alcazar de Colon - 3 min walk
  • Columbus Park - 6 min walk
  • Calle El Conde - 6 min walk
  • Malecon - 13 min walk
  • Sambil Santo Domingo - 4 min drive

Getting around

  • 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 with free breakfast, near Malecon
Island Life Hostel offers 9 accommodations with safes. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Recreational amenities at the hostel include an outdoor pool.
Make yourself at home in one of the 9 guestrooms. Prepare your meals in the shared/communal kitchen. Bathrooms with showers are provided. Conveniences include safes, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a rooftop terrace and a garden. Additional amenities at this hostel include complimentary wireless internet access, an arcade/game room, and a television in a common area.
Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. A complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is served daily from 7 AM to 10 AM.
Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, luggage storage, and laundry facilities. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours).
A complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is served each morning between 7 AM and 10 AM.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

  • 24-hour return airport shuttle (surcharge)

Food and drink

  • Free cooked-to-order breakfast available daily 7 AM–10 AM
  • 1 bar

Things to do

  • Arcade/games room
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Front-desk safe

Guest services

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Dry-cleaning service
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Tour/ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Rooftop terrace

Accessibility

  • This property does not have any lifts

More

  • Designated smoking areas
  • TV in lobby

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

Pets not 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

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 35 per vehicle (one-way)
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 4 percent

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Children 18 years old and younger are not permitted at this property
Only registered guests are allowed in the 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

Rating 10 - Excellent. 43 out of 74 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 74 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 74 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 74 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 74 reviews" "

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

Excellent staff and even better price
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

4/10 Poor

Arjun

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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 .
Stayed 11 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ronald

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Know what you are getting
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 .
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leendert

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay, staff was very welcoming and friendly. Great vibe at this location, I’ll definitely stay here again.

2/10 Terrible

kurt

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
No hot water. Smelled bad. Dirty mattress. Dogs living on the property barked all night.

10/10 Excellent

Christy Victoria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

eric

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff is very welcoming, it is a place that makes you feel at home right off the bat! I will recommend this place, for sure!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gaoussou

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Magnus

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2022

8/10 Good

Ramon, Santo Domingo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
it couldn't be better located
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great hostel in great condition
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2020

8/10 Good

Theodore

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

6/10 Okay

Gary

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

ELIEZER, Dajabon

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I really liked this hostel. To return to. very nice, hygienic and very good service
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great hostel inside the colonial zone.
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.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hostel with bar
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.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Timm

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Safe and welcoming place
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.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019