My One Night in Hartford

I only spent one night in Hartford and that was in 2005. I was driving back to Kentucky from New Hampshire and had received a very bad sunburn on my arm and leg that eventually lead to sun poisoning. As soon as I got to the hostel I took some pain medication and knocked myself out. I am sorry to say that is my entire experience with Connecticut. The next day, the only thing I remember about the state was the Tappan Zee Bridge, the longest bridge I have ever crossed in my life.

So one day I would like to return and actually SEE stuff like the Mark Twain House and maybe try to find Stars Hollow. (That was a joke.) But in the meantime, all I have is my lone hostel review.

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From the outside, the Mark Twain hostel is a nondescript, Victorian style house in a mid-to-upscale neighborhood. Although located on a residential street, the area is itself is peppered with small grocery stores, ethnic restaurants, and various other hangouts mostly frequented by college students. It might seem a little foreboding on the outside since it does appear to be more of a private residence than a place filled with bunk beds and budget travelers, but the moment you walk onto the sun porch the “hostelness” vibe takes over.

This place has character. The owner, a very nice Asian man, is friendly but the first impression that you get of the hostel comes from the main office. This might not be the best impression-there is stuff everywhere! Piles of papers, books, knick knacks, folders, furniture…The room is huge itself but it’s amazing that he can find ANYTHING in there.

Aside from the many, many travel posters and fliers adorning the walls as you head up the massive staircase to the dorm rooms, the furnishings and decorations are minimal. In the dorm rooms there are both single beds and bunk beds and they are above par for most hostels. The pillows were a bit fluffier than usual and the pastel sheets a nice welcomed change from the stiff bleached-whitened sheets found at many other places. The rooms are spacious, as well as the bathrooms, and there was an en suite bathroom in our dorm room.

The house is very old, however, and while this has some advantages (tall ceilings, spacious rooms) there are also some drawbacks. For one thing, it is not air-conditioned and I stayed there in June. There were several floor fans spaced around and as long as one was pointing at you it wasn’t too bad. The bathrooms are also old and the fixtures could be updated. I felt grimy after using the shower but it probably wasn't as bad as it felt. The entire house could actually use a coat of paint itself, but if you’re willing to overlook that factor it can be viewed as charming.

The kitchen is small but there is a nice dining area. Everything is kept clean and orderly, but there is still a bit of a dismal feel to house, like it hasn’t been opened up in awhile to let in the sunlight. The whole thing felt very dark and gloomy.

It is definitely NOT a party hostel by any stretch of the imagination, but the surrounding neighborhood makes it quiet and restful and it could be a great place to relax in. The other hostelers were friendly and talkative and all in all it can be a pleasant stay if you’re willing to overlook the antiquated fittings.

There is also a parking area (free) and a nice sunroom with various travel brochures and things to help you out in your Hartford endeavors.