Gardner Hotel & Hostel

Old smell but in general was good

Second time to stay at Gardner Hotel. I'd rather have a double bed as a one person traveller, but the room with the single bed was fine. The basement common area / kitchen is great for preparing your own food and the adjacent bars are fun. It really is in the Gayborhood.

The hostel is located in a historic building from the 19th or early 20th centuries—I can't say for sure, but there are lots of antiques and the hostel's design maintains a Wild West feel, making it feel like you're immersed in that era. It's very charming. The hostel also has an excellent kitchen for cooking. The hostel pretends to be a hotel on Booking.com, and only briefly mentions that it's a hostel and not a hotel. This can be confusing when you are making reservation on Booking.com, especially if you're a foreigner. And the worst part is, if you pay for a rreservation and then want to cancel it a minute later, you won't get your money back under any circumstances! I found myself in a similar situation. But when I arrived to the hotel I was able to exchange a four-person bunk bed for a very small private room at an additional cost. The room ended up costing me $72. A hostel is a hostel, and at night there are a lot of noises you won't like; they're loud. The private room is so small that if there are two of you or you weigh more than 50 kilograms, you might not fit in.

Very good

Very good, staff were extremely...

An excellent place. Even though I lived here in El Paso years ago and have traveled all over the United States, I never realized this place existed—it’s quiet, comfortable, and reasonably priced. Above all, the staff is attentive and the atmosphere is cheerful; it feels like a trip back in time. I recommend it 100%.

This place is marvelous: adorable, perfectly located (streetcar xxxx), SUPER cool and helpful staff, beautifully preserved … and the free parking out front was so helpful; we left our car untouched for three days straight! Like a 15-minute max walk to endless delights including Juárez. Awesome spot.

Un vrai voyage dans le temps. Le personnel est sympathique, c’est pas cher et il est très bien situé. A peine 15 minutes à pied de la gare de train. En plus le grand écrivain Cormac McCarthy y a séjourné.

I thought everything about this place was so great and so much character. The staff was really nice and I liked how they kept an eye on the front doors. We got a whole tour of the place and it made it even more fun to stay there. There was so many cool little details decorating and the furniture was awesome. The location was just right to visiting downtown. It was clean and updated, however there was a smell. You could tell they were trying to keep it clean and smelling fresh but it was worse in the lobby than anywhere else. If they could rid of the smell, I would read it five stars no problem.

Exceptional

Staff and history of Hotel.

It’s a great place to stay. Since it is located downtown, there is very limited parking in the area. The kitchen that is available for guests is located down a set of stairs leading to the basement. The kitchen is quite large and there are chairs and tables available. The first floor of the rooms is up a staircase from the lobby. The staff were friendly and helpful. The room we stayed in was clean and well taken care of, and was medium size with a lot of space in the closet.

Very good

The only down side is the parking.

Everything

Good

What a classic, simple and lovely hotel. The basic needs were adegu

View and history The loud construction going on next to my room

View and history The loud construction going on next to my room

Staff Wars awesome, the place is well located

Exceptional

The rooms are "dorm style", meaning you share with four other strangers. I was offered to "take a look" inside one of the occupied rooms. If I were in that room and that happened, I'd be pissed. Might be good for groups, but for me as a solo traveler, it was a hard pass. I never checked in. Asked for a refund, but it was denied. I feel like the Orbitz marketing is misleading. Parking is terrible. $60 for 12 hours, and you walk a couple of blocks.

Everything

We love our stay there!

Cormac McCarthy stayed here, wrote books here and set famous (if frightening) scenes here. The man was a genius. One of his genius moves was staying at the Gardner. Awesome place!

Cormac McCarthy stayed here, wrote books here and set famous (if frightening) scenes here. The man was a genius. One of his genius moves was staying at the Gardner. Awesome place!

The hotel is very historic and cool! The room was not well cleaned, with stains on the sheets, and there was a cockroach in the bathroom.

The room was not well cleaned, with stains on the sheets, and there was a cockroach in the bathroom.

Clean, friendly, great location, historical. Scope out your parking ahead of time. The hotel has I to two spaces. Also backs onto a nightclub, which was very very loud, but I was exhausted, so just put a pillow over my head and slept.

There’s only 2 parking spots in front the building but plenty of metered parking spots nearby.

Very good

Exceptional

Room was clean , staff was super kind and supportive. The hotel is over 100 years old, keeping its original way. Like a museum, in a time machine you feel. Elevator was not working but they were working on it. We enjoyed the simplicity..Location is unbeatable. Parking is only for a couple cars but there are many paid parking around. I definitely will stay in the Gardner hotel when I'm back El Paso.

Superb

Exceptional

Cute character and charm. Very loud since next to the nightclubs. Otherwise, great value for the price.

Worst hotel I have been

Got a private room and it was great! Great location, price, and amenities. Bars below can be a bit noisy, but some people would like being close to those activities. Didn’t cause me any trouble on a Saturday night. Very cool history with the place as well

All good

It’s a cute old building with great staff

Yes.

It's a basic hostel but with a large kitchen and a lot of seating and interesting stuff in the lobby

It was nice I will rent there again

Our room is so clean and very comfortable. It was a little loud because of neighborhood bars but overall it was so comfortable so I still fell asleep and slept great. All the noise was gone by 2 AM. Parking was scarce because you have to park far and walk back to your room- If a metered parking opens up, you can move to it!

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I enjoyed the historic nature of the property, from the historic rooms to the history framed around the property.

Extremely clean room. Allowed early check in. Staff checked us when we walked in to be sure we belonged there. Only two free parking spaces right in front if needed- metered parking otherwise - check the city’s website. The historic details were fun. Bed was a single mattress on metal frame but once you’re sleeping easy to disregard. Ac unit in room plus a fan. Bathroom access was scary to think about but it worked just fine. Only had to wait for use once during our stay. The kitchen and tv/billiard room was super cool for people staying longer. Plus the available laundry access was a great consideration. Especially loved the email offering nearby discounts. Definitely worth it.

Great value for your $

like the historic aspects, but only 2 assigned parking spots for 50 rooms… Downtown though, so there are garages nearby.

I love staying at the Gardner. Great location and great value.

It’s a great place to stay and close to everything

Awesome but didn’t get the free drink mmm although I forgot to ask about it

Staff was amazing. When people are invested in what they are doing, it shows. Would stay here again 10 out of 10 times!

Employee weren't patient and rude. There is only 2 parking spaces for hotel.

Everything was great. Hotel was very clean and quiet. The hotel is very accessible to everything downtown. Excellent stay!!!

What a beautiful building so much characters and history! I stayed in the John Dillinger’s room which is a corner room- it was so comfortable and interesting room. Definitely will be back!

Clean, cozy, but the beds can improve and is noisy, you can hear the other room’s conversation, they warn us about the outside noise because of nearby bars but it wasn’t that bad.

Great staff. Clean old look. Only issue is the parking

Great place

We really enjoyed the people running the place. And it was nice to meet the owners

It has a charm!

Difficult stairs to maneuver

Staff was very friendly, place was clean. Ok for one night stay

Cool property. The front desk worker was cool. He gave us a solid 15 minute tour of the place and explained the history. Very nice guy. It was a great location for New Years Eve. We could walk to all the bars and clubs for the girls and gays and eat at some available open options. Centrally located for sure. Super loud all night due to New Year’s Eve though so don’t plan on getting any peace and quiet until 230/3am and it’s a hostel - so even though we had a private room, we were next to a public room where everyone woke up and started making noise at like 8am. Other than that, great for partying and walking safely to a ton of fun things.

Nice place

I like

Very unique, History was Interesting.

a nice place to stay if you want to party around downtown

Fantastic!!!

Everything was great, especially the people behind the counter who told me about John Dillinger

Not so good: the room smelled bad. Suspect the carpet could use a cleaning. Halls were dark paint and poorly lit. Supplied earplugs did not help with the bar music in the adjacent building. Curtains did not block out the lights from passing traffic. Bar fight in the street at 3am. Miserable night.

Affordable, Meet new people

The staff was amazing and the building has historical significance. I felt like was in the 1920s. It felt very classy. I will come again.

Very safe place and good service at the front desk

I would stay there again, my stay was enjoyable. Breakfast was at the Rose Cafe, which was one door down and was delicious. As well, with the pizza joint two doors away from the hotel itself. I highly recommend only disadvantage is no elevator, so be prepared for stairs up and down.. . Enjoy your stay.

I enjoyed my stay, i will definitely come back again

Quite noisy area (room just above night club). No soap or shampoo in bathroom. That would be OK if I had known in advance!

Walls seem to be paperthin. They told me you could get coffee anytime through the day. You couldn’t the kid that was at the desk when I went to get coffee had cold old coffee just really didn’t seem like he wanted to be there probably upgrade your amenities a little, after all that I love the building 101 years old but as far as everything else customer service whatever was very mediocre

The service , the hotel area it’s great. The only thing is not so great is parking.

It was nice.

I like all

l did not the fact to share the room

It is not apt for humans. It states nonsmoking but it reaks! Dirty, dirty, dirty and very noisy! Just disgusting!

Cheap n cheerful. Great classic hotel with history. Friendly staff.

historic

Very nice hostel

It is a really nice hotel and hostel.The atmosphere and style of the hotel is so amazing the history of the hotel is very cool.I would definitely stay there again..The only odd thing that happened,i left my phone charger and i called the front desk later on that day.The person took my number and said she would call me back after she checked with housekeeping,,she never called me back,so i guess they just kept it.

A 100 year old building was an awesome experience to stay at.

Only two downsides. There is no amenities. Coffee charge, water etc.. No breakfast but u can cook your own. And a desk clerk whoa relentless on spraying the entrance room constantly with aerosols that's very, very cringy to the point you leave the seating area. You have to go outside or your room. Voiced to other clerks it's excessive . If you have any sinus problem stay out the main lobby. Eyes will water and sinuses will be affected for sure! Rest of the staff were very friendly except the cleaning ladies. No smiles, no hello's.. Clubs very close by so Thurs - Sunday evenings is LOUD! 😱

Gardner Hotel is well located down town in El Paso but it’s more a youth hostel than an hotel. Common bathroom, no air conditioning, light on all night in the corridor with a window direct on the room so impossible to have full dark during the night. Bar or club on thé the ground floor this hotel is not isolated to avoid noise until late in nights. It’s clean and the staff awarn you about all the « problem » but it’s not clearly explained when you book on Expedias site. Parking free, true..in the street…

The Gardner Hotel is a gem in downtown El Paso. We like it for the convenience and the price. We travel to the city by train. Union Station is less than a mile from the hotel. [Hint: Ignore Google maps. Best walk path from the station to hotel is to cut thru to the right of the baseball stadium and take Franklin Ave all the way to the Gardner.] They have put in new windows which helps cut down the noise from nearby night clubs and are working to upgrade the HVAC.

Excellent customer service! Antique, cute and comfortable hotel! Will definitely stay here again when in El Paso!

There is a very nearby nightclub that plays a reverberating bass music until 2 am (I was there on a Saturday night). I was unable to block it out with the hotel-provided ear plugs and a white noise machine I brought with me. The other main issue for me was the condition of the bed and pillows. The bed is sunken down in the middle and has palpable metal springs throughout. The pillows are completely flat. Overall, I would only recommend this place if you're on a budget, plan to stay out late, and can sleep on anything. Bringing your own pillows would be a great idea!

it had history..

If you like retro that's what you get their elevator doesn't work you have to climb stairs they have no televisions in the rooms no refrigerator microwave coffee pot the rooms are small they have bars downstairs very noisy until 2:00 a.m. Street traffic also till 3:00 a.m. for the money you pay it is not worth it I would not recommend this hotel to my worst enemy

My stay was great. The service was good. I stayed in a shared room and made a few friends.

Friendly staff

Great. I read other non-stellar reviews. Yes it’s old and loud. But clean and comfortable. And HISTORIC. Heck, it was good enough for Cormac McCarthy to live there and write there…..

Poor customer service and no cold/hot air available in the room was very inconvenient during our stay. It took them 3 separate complaints before being offered to move to the different room. We decided to clock out a day early to avoid further inconvenience.

.

Really cool downtown hotel celebrating their 100th anniversary.

Friendly check in even helped me with my bag. Clean sheets and room. Turn off was the 1 inch in body length cockroach that came over to great us. Now cant close our eyes. Grandchild keep asking if there was only one. Piping old and should be caulked to cover hole. Didnt read that there was central cooling and room would be warm or that the bathroom is shared by all. No individual bathroom. Cant be choosey when you view by price close to greyhound station. Hope i get to sleep.

Beautiful historic hotel and great staff. Definitely recommend.

They have only two parking spaces. Most rooms do not have bathrooms. The air conditioning system is infinitely old. Until late in the evening, infrasounds of music can be heard from the restaurants below the hotel.

Whitin walking distance of anything in the downtown area.

No clothes hooks in the room

The property is very dirty and nasty. Would not advice anyone to stay there

There isn’t parking lot for this hotel

Worst Hotel I have ever stayed in.

When i arrived i had to keep driving around the block untill a parking spot opened up Asked the lady at the front desk if there is free parking she said after 8.00 pm we left to do some shopping came back and no parking to be found anywhere.so had to check out and leave with no refund. Not recommended

This is a lovely historic hotel, still true to it's nearly century old character. Smaller rooms with sinks and bathrooms down the hall, which I don't mind for the great price of staying right in downtown El Paso. Very friendly, welcoming staff. Cooking facility on site for budget travelers. Beautiful lobby that is undergoing some restoration for the hotel's centenary. Love the marble stair case!

This was the worst hotel stay I ever had. No bathroom in room it was shared in the hallway as was shower. No TV in rooms. Night club mucic all night long.... And if that wasn't bad enought my car got towed from the lot across the street!! The hotel knows that there's no parking in that lot, did they warn me? NO! They probably get a kick back from the tow company. I would hightly reccomend another place to stay....like in ur car would be better!

Great spot. Super nice lady at the helped me getting my last minute passport papers printed. Stressful time and she was good about.

The only thing I liked was the price, but I was fooled! I should’ve known something wasn’t right. You can’t sleep at all! The noise of the bars around, was way too loud, like loud! The beat of the music did not stop till like 3 am.. and after that you hear all the drunk people yelling/screaming outside smh..

The staff was very polite & courteous. The hotel is very clean, and the air conditioning was great. The kitchen and refrigerator are very helpful. The billiard pool and ping pong tables are a big plus.

Historical, cute, fun, affordable. Nice staff. Right next to a few clubs so it does get loud. Keep in mind if you’re a light sleeper.

Bad. There is no bathroom in the room, a lot of noise all night. It doesn't have a refrigerator or TV

Full kitchen downstairs, one fridge. Game room downstairs looked fun. I was walking around around 7pm. As a got just 2-3 blocks away from the hotel, it started to look rundown, lots of empty storefronts, and the businesses that had closed for the evening had bars or metal garage doors over their windows. 1-2 blocks from the hotel there were a couple really nice looking hotels and art museum etc. It might be a better town to be in during the day?

No private restroom or shower. Shower had opened window facing street. No AC, small beds. No parking space. Horrible. Needless to say we walked away. I lost my money.

Sleep was NOT possible till 2:am. Bed literally vibrating from bass.

That it's a historical building

In addition to having a night clerk that regularly looks at child porn, is Unable to be fired because they can’t find anyone to work at night. When I questioned him about it he physically assaulted me, locked me out of the hotel after spraying me with pepper spray. I think that’s the hotel management knows he has an issue, and they are standing by him, regardless of what video footage, other guests report him to do, and are harboring an individual that the US marshals need to be tracking

No parking No clean washroom

There was only one person working the desk and she was constantly away it. I waited 16 mins to check in AFTER I called the number and spoke to the clerk. At check in I was told I could get a later check out if needed. Called the next morning (spoke to same clerk) and was told I couldn’t check out later because they were too busy. At check out, I passed the front desk clerk in the hall so I just gave her my key right there. Smh

I liked the close proximity to everything downtown.

The bathroom was dirty, looked like they don't change the sheets and the staff was friendly.

right in the city close to the Border and shopping and if you like The Nightlife and clubs also that

You definitely get your money’s worth here. Amazing historic hotel. I have only stayed in the private rooms but be aware this is not a luxury stay as a main component is hostel rooms but having been a broke traveler at many points in my life I appreciate this aspect of the Gardner as well.

Very friendly staff and it’s a unique historical property.

I really like seeing history from so long ago. It was quite and the staff meet all my needs.

Very clean, antique feel. Wonderful ambience.

I feel like I'm dying due to the bed bug spray! The gang members tell me I can't wear red shoes. People are stalking me. I feel very uncomfortable! I wouldn't recommend to anyone!

I liked the vintage look and the lobby exhibition of various items of the 1930s.It was like small museum.What I disliked was the loud music of the bar located at one of the businesses of the same building.

Efficient, helpful, pleasant front desk. Attractive old lobby. Rooms small and old but clean and functional, though no control over heat. Could use a chair, and electrical outlet at small table. Sink in room was clean and worked well. Toilet and shower rooms (2 on my floor) clean but unheated. Generally quiet while I was there, but neighboring rooms can be loud. Well equipped and large self-serve kitchen and dining area, and small laundry, in basement Good place.

I got room 100

The maintenance man came in the morning, knocked on my door and walked in. He proceeded to then tell me it’s my fault he came in because the door was unlocked. All the other staff was super cordial and professional.

Had to share, room with other people ,please advice

Our stay was great can’t really complain I do wish the elevator worked and it would be great if they would put a mattress pad or something between the sheets and the mattress cover that way it wouldn’t feel so humid and like it’s wet while asleep

Got there Saturday evening, hotel has 50 room and has 2 parking spots......, which one of those is occupied by staff. So that leaves 50 rooms with 1parking Good luck. If your lucky like me and ask about parking, you will get told about there FREE parking in a lot half block away, and wake up to a $75 parking citation. Don’t bother on talking to front office they will tell you to call the city and fight to get dismissed. Yeah right.... Hotel is decently clean, could use major improvements though.... doors to restroom and rooms are very hard to close, windows dirty, bathtubs are black. If you plan to have a quite night forget about it. Front desk has ear plugs for the noise with neighboring bars. (Dead serious about ear plugs) I suggest you bring your own. Free ones are obviously cheap. Some vending machines work, but be sure to bring your change in morning to get your small styrofoam coffee..... Overpaid for a room with no tv, service doesn’t care much bout customers. Sadly I will be get more satisfaction from paying a citation to the city of El Paso (that was Gardner hotel fault) than I did paying for this room.

There is no kind of breakfast with a fee for a cup of coffee in the lobby. The room was small and featured a closet, ceiling fan, antique dresser, comfortable bed, good shower, and small bathroom with the sink located behind the door when it was open. Internet was good as was the tv. There was an evaporative cooler on each floor which works well in the dry climate. Cool air enters from the hallway through the transom above the room door and exits through a grate on the wall of the bathroom thus removing shower steam as well. I enjoyed the old fashioned feel of the place. It is an affordable option.

Small room but comfortable for one person.

If you want to sleep this is not the place for you. Its location is next a bunch of night clubs that have the base in the music up so high you can feel in in your organs until 2am. Parking is also an issue, there are only two reserved spots otherwise you need to find a meter parking spot and keep an eye on it.

I got there and

Beautiful historic building but none the less not worth the noisiness or unkept cleanliness of room...the mirror in the bath is mounted at child height..Dusty vents and and nasty smelling room towels were stained, uncomfortable bed...I've stayed many historic hotels this wasn't a great one for the price ..

Saw in a few places the reservation is none refundable but couldn’t imagine going Into a place like ... place is definitely old and I figured it will have his charm and as much as it didn’t come close to it I figured I’ll make it work. Walked In and obviously the run the card so fast before anything so signed and went to it ... An hour and half later came back and brought my bag (the stairs) and was looking to settle in. 10 -15 min later when I couldn’t find an AC thermostat or vent I went downstairs to ask cause room was HOT. Central AC was the answer and I should leave the window above the door and the window facing out to the street open. That’s the point I asked to vacate the room and was told sorry no refund. Unreal !!!! 15 min can actually cost over $300 with this place and they don’t bother tell you that you’ll have to sleep l

There is no AC in the shared room. I arrived in the middle of.summer and it is not barable for until modnight. suggest the hotel should prepare fan so that guests can blow the cild air in the hall way to the room to cool it down. The lock to the shower room is broken but i were the only pne to stay in the room for the night so it wasn't a big issue. It is very close to a club so loud music until midnight. The hotel provide ear plugs but i dont know how well they would work as i had my own Bose noise cancelling headset that worked pretty well. There are two parking space for guest for free. The hotel is right at downtown El paso so dont meed a car to tour around the downtown area. The staff is friendly amd room is pretty clean though.