The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel

If traveling and only plan to stay for a day or two, this is the perfect spot. Stayed for 2 nights in the co-​ed room, it is split into two sections, one with 3 beds, and another with a bunk. Within walking distance to Ohio State’s campus & free bikes to use if you’d rather pedal. Very clean, very well managed, overall a great place to stay. I will certainly recommend staying here to anyone I know going to Columbus.

I’ve stayed in a lot of hostels, all over Europe and the Americas, and this one in unassuming Columbus, OH ranks among the best. It is clean, cosy, casual well equipped and spacious. the kitchen is one of the nicest I’ve seen in a hostel. It’s in a great area, within easy biking distance (has free bike rentals) to down town and Ohio State. It even has a few parking spaces and a hot tub.
But it is the manager/​guy in charge, Robbie, who really made this place stand out. He was helpful, attentive, and invited some guests along when he went out with his friends. He treated us like old friends, helped us get around, and was generally awesome.
Staying at this hostel provided me with an insiders view of Columbus that would not have been possible in a hotel, plus it’s half the price.

This was my first hostel experience, but in terms of value compared to hotel it is definitely worth it at 26 dollars a night. They keep it clean, and well-​maintained. There downstairs has two adjoin living rooms and two kitchen. One living room has a coupel computers, a table, a great couch and an awesome map of where all the vistors have been. The other has a couple couches and a projector onto the wall. There are two fridges to keep stuff in which people respect. It comes with complimentary breakfast. My first night was harsh, because I had a super loud snorer, but they moved my room the next night and were supre chill. Rob the manager is super chill and helpful, and fun to hang out with, as well all the people you are staying with, at least all the ones I met were super friendly and respectful, but I guess there could be weird ones.
It comes with complementary breakfast of cereal and bagels and coffee, which I took advantage of, as well as the free bike sign out, which is really the best way to go for getting to campus, which is a 8 minute bike ride and like a 25 minute walk. I think it is close to some fraternities. Only can stay here if you are out of atown, but definitely a great experience i would use again.

Last month I went to Columbus for a convention but I didn’t want to spend the money at the convention center hotel. When I arrived, Jeremy greeted me warmly, gave me a tour of the hostel and helped carry my bags up-​stairs. There is an awesome kitchen that guests can use and a free breakfast of bagels, cream-​cheese, cereal and coffee. The hostel has bikes available to ride for free, which was so nice. On Sunday afternoon, Jeremy came to my room and told us that Mat (the owner) had made a big pot of soup and that we were all invited over for dinner. What a nice surprise! I also wanted to share that I forgot a pair of pants at the hostel– Mat and Jeremy were so helpful and shipped them right back to me! At any other place I don’t think this would happen.
My only recommendation is that if you have balance or coordination problems, request to not stay upstairs in the attic in the mixed gender room. It is pretty tricky to avoid hitting your head while ducking the ceiling as you go up the stairs.
I would stay there again in a heartbeat! Thanks Mat and Jeremy!

Because of this place, I learned that sometimes hostels are better than hotels.
I was down in town for a conference and was on a budget, and I decided to check out this hostel, which is ½ mile from the NE corner of the OSU campus (Lane & High).
Hostels have the reputation as being dirty and unsafe. That’s clearly not true. I talked to the owners, and they have a strict policy dictating how things are washed and banning outside towels and linens. As for the misconception that hostels are unsafe and for the homeless, that’s completely false. Wayfaring Buckeye is in a decent neighborhood. Be careful with all the one-​way streets in the area — if not for the parking lot behind the house, you would have to park on the street. People who come here are often international students or people transitioning to other housing in the area.
They have lockers here, as well as a stocked fridge, showers, guitars (!!!), a big-​screen TV, and they even keep track of events in the area. The owners are wonderful and are extremely helpful.
At $ 27.50/night, I’m so glad I came here instead of a Red Roof Inn.