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    Gardner Hotel & Hostel

    3.4 (42 reviews)
    InexpensiveHotels, Hostels
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Single Room with jail bed - circa 1922
    Pete B.

    If you're expecting a comfortable bed, a quiet comfortable stay, and a TV in your room, this is not the place. There was noise from the pub below and all the drunks eating pizza slices on the street at the corner pizzeria. You can hear the cars driving by constantly. There was construction noise, from dump trucks and garbage trucks making extremely loud banging noises. I have no idea why this was going on at 3-4 a.m. The noise is so bad, that the hotel gives you ear plugs and makes you sign a waiver at check-in, that you have been advised of the noise. Had I known this, I would have never booked it, but it was already too late, as I had paid on Priceline. The front desk clerk at check in was polite and personable. I saw him again the next morning at check out and he was very pleasant. The night clerk was pissed off and was mean mugging the entering guests. He had a scowl on his face that said, "I hate my job and don't want to be here." Believe what others have said. The noise is real and it can be heard thru the thin windows. If you are a light sleeper, avoid this place. The bed must be from 1922, the year the hotel was supposedly constructed. You could feel all of the metal springs. It was not even a mattress. It was like sleeping on a set of boxsprings. Between the noise and horrendous bed, I did not sleep at all. The hotel promotes itself on its nostalgia and because Dillinger supposedly stayed there. Who really cares? The lobby is about the only decent part of the hotel. They have some old typewriters in a display case and a vintage phone booth. The elevator is out of order. Hope you enjoy a narrow, slippery, treacherous marble staircase with lots of luggage. The soda vending machine on my floor was out of order as well. The bathroom is shared by other rooms on the floor. Your room only comes with a sink to brush your teeth, etc., unless you pay double to get a an en suite bathroom. Hopefully you don't need to go to the restroom while someone has the door locked for an hour. I had to piss in the sink in my room twice. There are lots of renovations that were taking place. And some of the rooms are just used to store junk. Much of the property appeared to be in a state of disrepair. I don't know what they are improving, but I do know that you can't polish a turd. The best thing about this property is the downtown location if you have business in the area or at UTEP, as the street car route is right across the street. I only gave it 2 stars because of the location. Otherwise, it is a quaint, nostalgic 1-star dump. Every other hotel in downtown El Paso is better. Much better. Do yourself a favor. Spend the extra money and stay at one of the other properties.

    Gardner Hotel
    Angelo O.

    The hotel is a trippy time-warp in the heart of Downtown El Paso. The service and amenities are bare-bones but the savings and unique experience are definitely worth it. Very LGBT+ friendly and on the same block as many of the local gay bars. The shared-bathrooms are super clean and not nearly as intimidating as it might seem for Americans used to having their own bathrooms.

    The Gardner Hotel has lots of history on display.
    Angela O.

    Great stay at The Gardner. Fantastic location downtown and a three minute walk to the passport office. Room was clean, but you will need ear plugs as there is a music venue next door. Best value for the location. Cute and quirky!

    Pretty sweet antiques here
    Judy B.

    Meh. As poor quality as this hotel room was, i would say it was still not the worst. We've definitely had a good helping of hotel rooms over the years with the Army moving us around. Service and quality of the room here still beat a couple places. We'll start with parking which is almost non-existent. I tried to look for a bigger sign for parking than it actually is. I had to call the hotel clerk a few times so she can explain where to find it. It was literally a 4 car space area with a small sign "hotel loading zone." And once that was full, you basically need to just find some other area which you would need to pay and walk quite a ways. Second, the room temperature was warm, almost hot. Even at night after the temp drops. The only accommodation would be to open the top latch over our door to let in cold air from the AC vent that was literally blasting through the hallway. Third, even though they warn you about the noise level being loud, it still doesnt make the experience better. The fore warning was more to tell us no refunds from the noise level. This is all thanks to the lower level also occupied by The Pizza Joint and the other bars along with their loud drunkees. And since The Pizza Joint doesnt close until 3am, you will hear loud ass cranking sounds from them closing up that time. I would say the only thing that redeems them is the historical value to the place, especially since we believe we got to spend the night in John Dillingers room, 121. Pretty cool. Thats the most value of it though. Not worth 75$ but probably the cheapest rate downtown.

    The old elevator

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    15 years ago

    I do not know how it got good reviews. I saw dead bugs along with hairs everywhere in my bed.

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    Page 1 of 2

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    Review Highlights - Gardner Hotel & Hostel

    Also, John Dillinger, stayed there before he got caught in Tuscon Arizona.

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    Boxstel - Modern Stay

    Boxstel - Modern Stay

    (4 reviews)

    The Boxstel experience is like a hybrid hostel and motel model…read more The Boxstel is truly a modern hostel experience... You want the communal spirit of being around travelers and maybe socializing but also want your own room and private bathroom? You don't want to pay for things that you won't use as you explore El Paso? Everything is barebones and exactly what a traveler needs, like free WiFi, fridge space, a bar of soap, towel, and headphones. It's quite utilitarian, but good quality. You need a space that's in the heart of Downtown in walking distance to all transport and hot spots; stadium, museums, fine dining, concert space? It's literally all that and I was able to walk and use a scooter to get around. It runs $80-$180 depending on the type of the room/bed size you want, but it will all be private and you would never bunk with a stranger. It's a unique little spot and honestly I can see it coming in handy for layovers and hangovers (from a night out). Everything is online and automated but there is a very nice attendant in the front desk. Come check them out and support local! Morning. The Boxstel came in so frickin handy after too many margaritas and shots at Elton's Dueling Piano Bar last night. After spending the night: Easy to get in and out of (locks and code worked perfectly) because instructions were everywhere. Caveat, we had to take the stairs and navigating 2 sets of stairs is difficult when you're buzzed. Thank goodness for the installed railings. We felt safe because 24 hr cameras and monitors. WEAR the Monster headphones provided. You WILL hear the extremely loud train outside, even though the hotel has great soundproofing. You will also hear the springs/squeaks/movement from your bunkmate on top 2 feet above. You will also hear the ridiculously loud and creaky floor boards everywhere. Blessedly though you can't hear other hotel guests Crazy amount of light, but the blackout roll curtains took care of that. Shower took a about 5 minutes to warm, and the pressure was limp as a baby's wrist, but it's expected from these old buildings and the only downtown hotel I stayed at that had decent pressure was PDN, after their upgrade. It was nice that the Boxstel provided towels (even offered extra ones) a small container of soap and a small bar of soap. I've stayed at motels that didn't even give you that for double the price It's cold, and we couldn't figure out the remote to turn on the heat and didn't know who to call, so we kinda suffered though the cold night. On the plus side, bedding is warm, laundered, and the bed for me is amazing. I slept on the bottom bunk and the bed was firm, just the way I like it. Even after bed head and a night of tossing and turning in a strange bed. I never felt claustrophobic. I still wouldn't recommend it for families, since I'd AirBnB still for a home like experience. BUT if they're less than 3 adults, need to be close to the hot spots, want convenience, are on a tight budget, coming in and out of El Paso on a quick trip or business, or exploring El Paso, it's a great alternative option. More choices for the consumer! Boxstel - Modern Stay (915) 234-2976 https://www.boxstel.com/ 500 W San Francisco Ave, El Paso, TX 79901

    Cool vibe and interesting concept. Check-in is like Airbnb...enter the lobby and room with a…read morekeypad. A little noisy ( it is across the street from an active train depot). The rooms are very clean, but the cubes are kinda funky (see pic below) Overall, a good value in El Paso.

    Hueco Rock Ranch

    Hueco Rock Ranch

    (3 reviews)

    If you are going to Hueco Tanks to climb for the 1st time, start here, hire a guide or tag along on…read morea guided tour. Let them guide you through the process. A tour is the easiest method to get into the park. All the guides/tours I have hired have been nice, but this is the easiest method of getting a good guide. I have had nothing but good experiences on the tour groups. Just make sure you can climb at the level range of the tour. It is a business owned by climbers run by climbers. Everyone is nice and loves climbing. The climbing energy is infectious. Sometimes the facilities could be better and cleaner. The area seems to be getting better. There are flush toilets! The campground is the easiest one to get into. The National Park Campground is a plan ahead reservation system and can be trying. It is a bunch of climbers running amok, but it is not as bad it could be. The majority of the peeps are here to climb hard. If you are not into camping or a hostel environment El Paso has plenty of hotel/motel rooms. I didn't use the Rock Ranch to plan my first trip, but now I get all my guides/tours from here. See you climbing!

    Best bet for climbers | Good vibes, cool facility $…read more This place is AWESOME. I wish I knew this place was open during the times I stayed in El Paso to climb at Hueco Tanks though. The time when I usually come to climb in the park is Veterans Day weekend, and that time frame is when they're just starting to open for the season. We went here to rent crash pads. $10/day for the regular 2 fold $15/day for the tri fold *the ones we rented were NEW!!!!! This place is in association with the American Alpine Club, so if you stay here you get a discount if you're a member. From what I saw, there are a couple rooms that have several bunk beds, a couple rooms with single beds, some rooms that have their own bathrooms, a shared bathroom down the hall, a common space area, a bar area, and a shared kitchen. The outside has some training equipment, too. It's just a place full of climbers staying to be close by to the park instead of 45 minutes away in El Paso, near the airport. There is also camping spots available and lots of parking spaces. We'll be back next year and hopefully if they are open we'll be staying here :)

    Gardner Hotel & Hostel - hotels - Updated May 2026

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