Friends Cottage Hostel – Downtown

MEGA Bus is just a 20 minute walk from the Friends Hostel ♥♪♥☺ or Take the FREE♪♥♪♥☺Shuttle!: board the Greenlink bus (@ Pease St. & Louisiana St. @ 6:30AM-6:30PM Monday-Friday. Walk west to Louisiana St. then North to Pease St. ♪♥☺

CHECK IN TIMES:
The Earliest A Guest Can Check In Or Leave Bags is 12 NOON, not before.
Staff members are not available before noon.
If you need to change your check in time, you must coordinate this ahead of time with a staff member.
Guests who do not check-in within 3 hours of the arrival time may be subject to a booking cancellation with no refunds. Please email or call the hostel if you're running late.

No Check Ins allowed before 12pm (noon)

From Bush IAH Airport:
Bush Airport Ground Transportation
1. Depart from the stop at Bush IAH Terminal C WS on route 102 'Downtown Limited' inbound.
2. Arrive at the stop at Milam St at Dallas St.
3. Transfer at the stop on Lamar St at Milam St to route 40 'Pecore/Northwest TC' Westbound.
4. Arrive at the final destination stop at Houston Ave at Lubbock St.
5. Walk West to 1818 Lubbock. That's us! Check-in is in House #3.

From Greyhound:
1. Board the Train (Lite Rail) ($1.25) outside the Greyhound on Main St, heading Northbound.
2. Get off at Main St. Square.
3. Walk to Travis, one block west of Main St. Then walk to Lamar, one block south of Travis.
4. Board the #40 bus ($1.25) to Lubbock St.
5. Get off at Lubbock St.
6. Walk west to 1818 Lubbock St. That's us! Check-in is in House #3.

By Taxi:
If you're thinking of taking a taxi, please know that they will sometimes say the hostel is too close. If that happens, walk to Travis St and Lamar St and board the #40 bus ($1.25) to Lubbock St. Get off at Lubbock St and walk west to 1818 Lubbock St. That's us! Check-in is in House #3.

From Hobby Airport:
1. Board the #50 Bus to Lubbock and Sawyer
2. Get off at Lubbock St and Sawyer
3. Walk east to 1818 Lubbock St. Check-in is in House #3.

From Amtrak:
1. Walk out of the Amtrak station straight ahead toward Washington Ave which is also known as Franklin St (same streets)
2. Turn right (west) toward Houston Ave.
3. Turn left (south) at Houston Ave, toward Lubbock St.
4. At Lubbock St, turn right (west) and walk to 1818 Lubbock St. Check-in is in House #3.

CHECK IN TIMES:♥ The Earliest A Guest Can Check In is 12PM NOON; however, you must notify Friends Hostel if you need to arrange a special check in♥☺you must coordinate this ahead of time with a staff member.♪ You must call the hostel if you're running late (you could be charged a late fee or your booking could be cancelled if you are more than 3 hours late according to your arrival time). Rates do not include 17% tax. Please note that one party cannot book more than one private room at a time. Friends Hostel exists as a shared environment; given that, the purpose of our hostel is to provide as many beds as possible to backpackers so that they are able to travel safely & get an inexpensive, clean bed, free wi-fi, some complimentary coffee or tea, & a hot shower. When guests book more than 1 private room, they monopolize our Private bed space which negates the purpose of bringing together as many different groups of travelers at one time. ♪♥☺ Friends Hostel requires 50% deposit on guest balances before guest check in; therefore, we will charge guest cards on file for the 50% of total amount due on the balance plus tax prior to your check-in date. No refunds on the booking deposit or booking fee for a cancellation, no show or reduction in numbers (nights or guests). No refunds If guests are asked to leave the hostel b/c of rule violations. Please note that guests over the age of 40 must book a private room. Dorm beds are reserved for guests under the age of 40. Please note that when you change your booking dates with Friends Hostel directly instead of your booking site, you forfeit your contract with hostelworld.com, and you are automatically re-booked with our private booking system. Prices are subject to change, and you will be charged 3 days prior to your arrival date. If you need to change your check in time, you must coordinate this ahead of time with a staff member. You must call the hostel if you're running late. See your confirmation email for our phone number. We accept calls between noon and 9pm only. We do not host locals. All guest must present 2 forms of ID at check in: 1)a passport that has not expired. 2) a current state ID that has not expired. An ID with a Houston address will not be accepted. As a final note, Cooperation & Community Are Our Highest Values Here At Friends House Hostel. With those values in mind, Reciprocity is Crucial. Here Are Some Ways Guests Can Participate In Our Reciprocity Project:
We Offer Coffee * Guests Donate Milk or Cream.
We Offer A Bread Basket & Toaster * Guests Donate Butter or Jam.
We Offer Tea * Guests Donate Sugar, Agave or Honey.
We Offer Customized Maps With Friendly Hosts Giving Helpful Directions; In Return, * Guests Offer Help To Others.
We Provide A Limited Smoking Area * Guests Who Smoke Empty The Ash Trays.
We Provide Free Wi-Fi & A Free Computer For Guests Use * Guests Ask Themselves What They Can Freely Offer. Perhaps share Your I-PAD*!*
An Attitude of Gratitude is Paramount. What Will You Give Today?
Here's Even More Information About Who We Are: )

We are a HOSTEL who cater to guests who enjoy a CO-OP living atmosphere.
We expect you to do your part & contribute to the upkeep of the hostel which is how we keep guest prices low. )
We expect you to recycle your own items, take out your own trash, compost your fruit & vegetable waste, plus conserve water & energy from 12pm-4pm.
When you cook, we expect you to clean your dishes as well as the stove top too. And even when you check out, we have a few final check-out duties that we give you @ check in to read over.
We exist in the HISTORIC district, so if old homes turn you off you - even just a little bit, you might want to choose a different space to be hosted.
Danny, a former electrical engineer & Leah, former high school English & Speech teacher enjoy teaching travelers how to make the most of their time & money while they're in Houston. Leah is a native Houstonian & knows many of the off-the-beaten-path hidden treasures! Danny teaches a FREE self-awareness class @ the hostel, & as a military intelligence officer in the Army, trust me he'll teach you some very COOL moves! Plus he LOVES to share his knowledge. Ask him about the C241*!*
We're very close to Downtown Houston, just a 15 minute walk & 5 minute drive.
You won't need a car because our hostel in very close to public transportation. We're Exist In An Excellent Location! We're Very Close to Amtrak, Greyhound & All Local Public Transportation Buses & Trains.
Staying @ Friends House Hostel feels very similar to staying @ friends or family. The hostel looks just like a house; in fact, we are located in an early 20th century 4-Plex HOUSE once occupied by early railroad workers.
Our atmosphere is very informal & laid-back. We'll provide you with a personable & memorable experience while you share space with other domestic & international travelers from all over the whole wide world! * )♥☺
Most travelers find our neighborhood charming b/c of it's historic atmosphere & look. However, If you prefer new neighborhoods & new buildings, then you probably would not be happy @ our hostel.
We exist in a protected historic district which means that some of the homes here look distressed b/c it's against the law to tear them down & build new homes, in order to preserve the historic integrity.
Our 33-acre protected district contains the highest concentration of historic homes in Houston, many dating back to the late 19th century. The neighborhood has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1978.

It's a unique place. Only 15 minutes walk to Downtown & 5 minutes to Washington ave, where new bars, restaurants & cafes are opening up what seems like every weekend. Washington Ave. is the most historic street in Houston that leads directly in to downtown. It's going through a revitalization & many of the older buildings are being re-purposed.
All guests share kitchens & bathrooms. Yet, If you enjoy communal living then you would probably feel right @ home.☺

GREAT LOCATION *!* Washington Ave: BARS,Restaurants, Cafes, Pubs, BEAVER'S for Bar-B Q! min. walk to DownTown: The Aquarium, board the bus To NASA (aka) Space Center within 15 min. walk from Friends Cottage Hostel. The Vistor's Center is just a 15 min. walk from the hostel. Board the free shuttle: The GreenLink Bus @ Smith St. 15 min. walk from the hostel taking you around DownwTown: this is a free shuttle Mon-Fri 6:30AM-6:30PM. 20 walk to 3 SuperMarkets: Target, Walmart (24 hrs) & Kroger*!*