Dining

Reviews of Nelsonville Hotel - Hostel

1 out of 5
Nelsonville Hotel - Hostel
4592 Bessemer Rd, Nelsonville, OH

Reviews

5.8
Rating 10 - Excellent. 8 out of 43 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 43 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 43 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 9 out of 43 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 11 out of 43 reviews" "

6.0/10

Cleanliness

6.2/10

Staff & service

2.8/10

Amenities

5.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Stacy

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Oliver

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021
Response from Chad on Jul 18, 2021
Thanks. I try my best. I am hoping to expand, but the government is not helping.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness
Needs swept but nice
The place needs some work and cleaning(swept)but overall alright. The bed was comfortable and clean. The kitchen, "commons area" and bathroom were alright but again need swept. The location is awesome. The view and trail into the forest is wonderful. The front stairs are a workout, as well as the driveway/parking hill in back. I saw no towels but didnt ask for any.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Response from Chad on May 5, 2021
I am working on improving my property majorly this year. I love my paradise, and sure work hard to make it better.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
It was about what we expected for $40 a night. House overall was just dirty- a bit dusty/grimy, the biggest issue was the flies everywhere because of the open indoor compost. Bathroom also left much to be desired. However for the price, the bedroom was decent, and the kitchen had some basics and was had enough dishes that we could make dinner. Property owner was very on top of paperwork.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2021
Response from Chad on Mar 4, 2021
I plan to remodel the bathtub shortly. We recently had a major snowstorm, and the snow removal dust from the road made it a little more rustic than usual. I have a floor scrubbing robot I have been using more that eradicates nearly 100 percent of pathogens.

2/10 Terrible

Stacy, New Martinsville, WV

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is a scam. It is not a motel, but a dirty house with hippies. There were two small "bedrooms" and everyone shared the living room, kitchen and bath. The owner was high, disrespectful and wouldn't give us our cash back when we decided not to stay. He also charged my credit card. I felt unsafe and just left. It was filthy and the bed sheets weren't changed. I called the Nelsonville police, but no one returned my call.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019
Response from Chad on Jul 9, 2019
The bed sheets are always changed, so this review is very libelous. It is also a very safe place as I have lots of video surveillance. There are 3 bedroom, not 2 and my house is not dirty at all. It is exceptionally well cleaned, and I even have a floor scrubbing robot that eleminates 100 percent of pathogens.

2/10 Terrible

Leo, Ohio

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nothen the owner was nasty and never takes a bath you be batter to sleep out side
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019
Response from Chad on Jul 9, 2019
I take 1-2 baths per day and am exceptionally clean, and this is very libelous. They clearly came with bad intentions. They never even went inside, and glared the whole time, clearly coming with a major grudge.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I desperately needed a place to stay for the night. So this worked for that reason only. I would not choose this under any circumstances. The inside is filthy, the outside hasnt been taken care of and there is a smell inside. Sadly, with the right owners, it clearly has potential that a coat of paint, bleach and nice bedding (all affordable) and a team to clean up the outside would make this a nice place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019
Response from Chad on Apr 30, 2019
The inside is very clean. I have been the victim of lots of vandalism, and repairing it has made it so that it might not look perfect, but I assure you the inside is very clean. I am working on building a new building for the outside. I am of course the perfect owner, who saved my house and property from being bulldozed. I am the one that planted the bamboo and hand dug ponds. There is building materials but that is for the building that will be built on a historic foundation. The bedding is new and perfect.

2/10 Terrible

Jimbo, Ohio

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A run down old house that is filthy! I wouldn't make a dog stay there!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
Response from Chad Kister on Oct 25, 2018
My house is cleaned very well, even with a floor scrubbing robot that cleans 100 percent of pathogens. It is certainly not run down, but very historic. My hotel is a tourist attraction in itself with a hiking trail going into thousands of acres of national forest.

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018
Response from Chad on Oct 1, 2018
I have a heavenly paradise of a hotel, and know it myself because I live on the property too. It is a tourist attraction in itself with a hiking trail going into thousands of acres of national forest.

8/10 Good

Christian

Clean and quiet.
This place was clean and quiet. Just what I needed.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018
Response from Chad on Aug 22, 2018
Thanks. It is great to have a hiking trail going into thousands of acres of national forest: it feels like you own thousands of acres of forest.

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018
Response from Chad on Aug 17, 2018
I see a blank review.

2/10 Terrible

Solotraveler

Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
I paid for 4 nights but ran away on the last night after another solo traveler left. My bedroom door got stuck due to some unknown reason, the owner himself couldn't open it so he broke the door and started screaming in creepy sounds, accusing me of doing something to the door. He increasingly made creepy sounds and looked at me angrily that made me too scared I had to grab my laptop and my phone to run away for my safety, leaving all stuff behind. After that, he charged me more than 100% for things I did not know. During the day time, I heard some creepy sounds coming from the basement like someone was tortured. I was too scared when I read on the Athens News that the owner was accused of having mental problems. He also had a blog where he accused guests of break-ins and thefts which I highly doubted.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018
Response from Chad on Sep 1, 2018
This is an absolute lie. She clearly came to try to close my business, likely paid by competitors, and damaged my $700 energy star fridge, changed the locks on the bedroom door she was staying in so it caused a lot of damage, stole bumper stickers and books, and caused other damage. There is certainly no creepy sounds, and my hostel is by far the most quiet of any I have known, and I have stayed in scores of them around the world. This review is libelous and needs removed.

8/10 Good

john, columbus oh

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hostel
Clean place convenient to attractions. Would recommend Right next to wayne national forest
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018
Response from Chad on Jul 4, 2018
Thanks. There is also a hiking trail that goes from the hostel into thousands of acres of national forest.

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hotel in state park
This is nice place the owner is trying fix it up. The owner is nice it is located and part of the wayne national park and is beautiful and quiet. There is a pool table and a tv in the common area. It us also very affordable.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
Response from Chad on Jun 26, 2018
Thanks. It is near the Wayne National Forest, and there is a hiking trail that goes from the hostel into the forest.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Great Hostel
Very comfortable, very welcoming, very clean. Once you get past the front stairs (and the general disarray) it is a delightful place to stay. I intend to return in the future. Note: this is a hostel; if you are looking for "luxury" and isolation, go to a 5-star hotel.
Response from Chad on May 2, 2018
Thanks.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Response from Chad on Mar 24, 2018
Thanks. I have done a lot of work making the property look nicer. I have put stucco around the front building, and am putting a tile floor in it for a future expansion of pet friendly lodging and a game room for the hostel.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort
Very cozy and friendly!
I loved staying there, it was nice to use the kitchen and chat with the owner and guests. The one thing that I would recommend is to take an extra blanket to lay on as the beds are pretty firm.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017
Response from Chad Kister on Jan 12, 2018
I always try to leave extra blankets in each room. Also, one of the mattresses is a 13 inch, much softer, and one more firm. Some people like them more firm.

8/10 Good

Davie, Windsor, ON

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not mainstream at all, but cool.
Only place to stay in Nelsonville. Wonky interior finishes that pleased me. The owner fits the place. I liked it.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2018
Response from Chad Kister on Jan 12, 2018
Thanks. Don't forget it is a tourist attraction with a hiking trail going into thousands of acres of national forest. It feels like owning thousands of acres, and the enjoyable exercise of hiking in the forest can help people stay healthy, and help to prevent the more than 1.2 million deaths per year in America from Cancer and Cardiovascular disease.

10/10 Excellent

Leah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A cozy place to stay the night
People have got to understand the difference between hotel and hostel. Also, at this rate, I'm not sure what you are looking for but keep an open mind. I was skeptical, but the negative reviews are false. The rear driveway will take you right to the door. There is no better hospitality than what you will receive at Bessemer, and the scenery is divine. If you are concerned about insects, keep in mind that you are in a forest, but I still didn't see even one. If your concern is dirt, the hiking trails probably contribute to the occasional grain of earth you might find on the floor, but it was well-kept. If you're looking for cozy comfy safety and kindness, look no farther. Nothing frilly, but exactly what we needed. Thanks, Chad, for making our visit so special. Bless you. We will be back!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2017
Response from Chad on Jan 3, 2018
Thanks

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Dude was rude and the place was not clean,, even has bed bugs .. would not recommend to anyone
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2017
Response from Chad on Dec 8, 2017
I was not rude and their are no bed bugs. That is a libelous comment. I know for sure there are no bed bugs. They were competitors hired to try to close my business.

8/10 Good

Marty, Cleveland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Economical, convenient and quiet
This is a folksy hostel, not the local Holiday Inn. Not only is the overnight rate affordable for a solo traveler, the well equipped kitchen greatly reduces the cost of eating out. The owner is professional, quiet and hard working. This hostel is a rare gem in the heart of the National Forest and a stone's throw from Ohio's best state park.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2017
Response from Chad Kister on Oct 22, 2017
Thanks. I am working on making it nicer all the time.

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stairs way to steep to climb.... Looked run down from outside. Did not stay
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017
Response from Chad on Oct 22, 2017
There is also a driveway that comes right up to the hostel. My property is a tourist attraction in itself, with a hiking trail going into thousands of acres of national forest.

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lesson learned
After receiving the tour and signing the agreement/contract, I hopped in my car and drove away. I will chalk this up to a lesson learned - you get what you pay for. The proprietor seems to have good intentions but the state of this "hostel" is beyond excusable. It's dirty. It smells. There is no driveway to park your car - you basically pull off the road and walk up a dimly lit rock staircase to the main entrance. In my opinion, this property is not habitable for human beings for any period of time.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2017
Response from Chad on Sep 9, 2017
There is in fact a driveway that goes right up to the hostel. Also, every square inch of the hostel has been cleaned well. And, I have special air filters that even filter out odors running all the time, and I live in the same house and make sure there are not odors.

2/10 Terrible

Chris , Lancaster Ohio

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Worst place if ever seen
Place was filthy bed bugs I would not recommend this place to anyone someone should call the health department and have the place condemned
Stayed 1 night in May 2017
Response from Chad Kister on Jun 6, 2017
That is a lie: there are no bed bugs.

10/10 Excellent

Cesar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
An amazing place.
It was an exceptional experience to be staying in a cozy Victorian style type of hostel, besides real quite, and affordable I probably come back soon.
Response from Chad on May 13, 2017
Thank you: I keep working to make it nicer all the time.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Acceptable location
This is a location that is near Athens. It is very minimal in what it offers, but is satisfactory if OK to just meet basic needs (bed, bathroom access, food storage). Parking is limited.
Response from Chad Kister on May 10, 2017
Some of the flooring is historic hardwood floors. Others are brand new tile. It is a tourist attraction in itself, with a hiking trail going into thousands of acres of national forest.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
All was good, met expectations. Host was professional and polite.
Response from Chad Kister on Oct 12, 2017
Thanks

8/10 Good

Timothy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good inexpensive option
Everything was fine, I would stay there again. It's obviously not a Holiday Inn, so you need to know what to expect - it's a hostel in a somewhat remote, rural area. Everything was clean and secure, with locks on the outside door and on individual room doors. I found the host to be pleasant and seemed honest. I didn't stay long, just had coffee in the morning and then got on the road. It is a good option if you need a place for the night in the area and are on a budget.
Response from General Manager on Nov 3, 2016
Thanks. I am always working to make it nicer and nicer. It is only about a mile from the Buchtel/Nelsonville Route 33 4 line bypass, so it is a convenient location, and with thousands of acres of national forest in the backyard, it is a tourist attraction in itself.

10/10 Excellent

Dustin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Our room was great! We checked in late and let Chad know and he was happy to accommodate us. We went to a local festival and it was perfect for our needs!
Response from General Manager on Oct 30, 2016
Thanks. It does not bother me to wake up in the middle of the night to check guests in: I am rather unusual in that I can just fall right back to sleep after I check guests in without bothering me, and I need every customer I can get.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Response from General Manager on Oct 2, 2016
Thanks!

6/10 Okay

Barb, Fairview Park, Ohio

Cost savings
If you like to hike, and just need a bed and shower at a great price, then this is the place for you. Located adjacent to the Wayne National Forest with a trail leading from the property. Friendly owner.
Response from Chad Kister on Aug 16, 2016
My hostel is quite clean, but someone broke a hole in the bathtub, and while I repaired it and painted it with special paint, over time the paint wears down, and it looks discolored, but I do use cleaners and scrub it, and it is clean. I am hoping to replace it, but that is a lot of money. So while looks might be deceiving, any closer analysis will show the hostel is very clean.

4/10 Poor

Brian, Columbus

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
It isn't a bad place to stay for a night. I was on a budget so it was definitely affordable. The facility could use some updates. Be ready for people coming and going at all hours.
Response from Chad on Jun 25, 2016
If you are concerned about people coming and going throughout the night, I would recommend a private room. I am always working on improving the hostel, so be ready for wonderful improvements in the months to come.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It's a hostel, not the Grand Hotel
Our room was adequate. What one would expect from a hostel. The home is quaint, with well-worn furnishings. Bare necessities and a comfortable bed to sleep in. It was unfortunate that other guests were the cause for disturbances on both nights of our stay. We will not be choosing to stay at this hostel in the future. The proprietor's behavior was not very professional.
Response from Chad on Jun 18, 2016
The guests that caused the disturbance were removed, and I, the proprietor am always very professional with my conduct. If other guests cause problems, I should be contacted immediately.

10/10 Excellent

Sarah, East Lansing, MI

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great Place To Stay; Clean and Friendly
I had a really great experience at the Bessemer Hostel! It was easy to find and the owner was incredibly friendly and concerned with his guests' comfort. He gave me a free copy of his book, told me about his travels, offered me lots of free food and coffee, and helped me to find the trails nearby. He even walked with me through the beginning of the trail to make sure I was going the right way. He was always coming up into the hostel to make sure I had everything I needed. The hostel itself was clean, warm, and comfortable. Everything was clearly labeled. During my stay, the area had a Snow Emergency, and he told me before the emergency was declared that I was welcome to stay another night if I needed to and got up early in the morning to shovel my car out of the snow for me. During the driving ban, I went for a walk and the neighbors near the hostel were very friendly. Overall, I had a wonderful stay at the hostel. I read lots of reviews before deciding to stay here because I am often hesitant for safety and security reasons to stay at a hostel. From the negative things I remember reading in other reviews, I experienced none of them. Nothing about my stay was negative. The price of staying at the hostel was the best I could find and the owner did everything he could to make me feel at home. I absolutely loved staying here and would not hesitate to return if I am ever in the area again.
Response from Chad Kister on Apr 4, 2016
Thanks. I try my best to help my guests.

8/10 Good

Arlandra, Cincinnati, OH

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good place to rest and nice views
Place was clean and owner was nice and friendly. Exactly what we paid for. Only complaints was that the room had some dust or something on the floor, and no outlets except the one near the TV. And there was no trash can in the room so we had to take our trash into the bathroom. But otherwise it was really nice and we only wish we had more time to explore the trails in the back, and more time to talk to the owner.
Response from Chad on Feb 20, 2016
There are lots of outlets: just ask if you have any problem finding them. I have a floor scrubbing robot, and sweep and mop regularly, so I do try hard to keep the floors clean. There are miles and miles of trails through thousands of acres of national forest in the backyard, and a trail going into it going from the hostel (out the clothesline and keep going straight).

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
nice.
nice and clean.and frindly.
Response from Chad on Dec 12, 2015
Thanks

2/10 Terrible

Louis, Rootstown

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nobody even heard about it!
Couldn't find the place. Never will try again.
Response from Chad on Feb 20, 2016
There are lots of outlets: just ask if you have any problem finding them. I have a floor scrubbing robot, and sweep and mop regularly, so I do try hard to keep the floors clean. There are miles and miles of trails through thousands of acres of national forest in the backyard, and a trail going into it going from the hostel (out the clothesline and keep going straight).

6/10 Okay

Oneika, Cleveland

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
You get what you pay for
It's was a place to stay. Showers were warm and the town was cute. We had no other options and it was cheap.
Response from Chad on Dec 12, 2015
It is more than just a place to stay. The views of the Wayne National Forest from my property are amazing, and there is a hiking trail into thousands of acres of national forest starting from the hostel.

4/10 Poor

James, Dayton

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Decent and Cheap
Good for someone solo or people that will be spending little time at the lodging area. Wish there were more of these type of places on the cheap. While a little rough on the outside. It made for a acceptable stay and a very nice price.
Response from Chad on Jan 3, 2015
I continue to make the hostel nicer while keeping prices very low by investing the little revenue that does come in into making my property nicer. In terms of rough on the outside, I am adding stucco (which I do myself) to the building closest to Bessemer Rd. over the concrete block, and that is making it a lot nicer. Also, usually there are a lot more flowers in bloom. I am also digging around a building which makes it look "rougher" but soon that will be done and the landscaping will look a lot nicer.

6/10 Okay

Pam, Harrisburg, PA

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
basic, perhaps mert others
If you are looking for a basic place to stay and perhaps to meet other people....it is perfect. The owner is a very nice, accomodating and interesting guy.
Response from Chad on Dec 12, 2015
The views from my property, and the hiking trail going into miles of national forest make my property far more than just a basic place, but a tourist attraction in itself. Also, there are many amenities, like free phone service and wifi, free coffee and tea and a full kitchen that make it more than just a basic place.

4/10 Poor

Janice, Minnesota

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
OK for an overnight stay
Cheap place to sleep at night; wouldn't want to hang out there during day. Hostel is upper floor of an older 2-floor house; Shared bath, kitchen, dining room and living room. Choice of shared bedrooms with bunks or private room with queen size bed. We had the queen; the bed was comfortable. There was a closet with hangers, drawers cut into the wall, TV, room AV. No table or chairs in the room or surfaces to put things on. First impression was that it was dirty, but closer inspection was that linen was clean, and that the rooms were fairly clean. What looked like a dirty shower/tub bottom was really a tub bottom with a worn/stained surface. Writing on walls, old furnishings and fixtures.
Response from Chad on Aug 16, 2014
The reviewer is right that there are some stains that may appear dirty, but they are just stains. I am working to replace items like that, but I am low income. I do make sure that the hostel is clean. The writings on the walls are to help people find things faster, and also to ask them to do things like keep the bathroom door open in not in use, so that other customers know that it is vacant.

6/10 Okay

Dave, Detroit, MI

Disliked: Cleanliness
Cheapest stay near Hocking Hills State Park
This is a small and decent place to spend a night. The house is old and spartan but it was the cheapest in the region and you shouldn't expect much. Everything is in working order though there's a bit of dust and some spider webs. There's high speed internet and a host of channels on TV. The property itself is surrounded by a lot of greenery. The parking is right off the road on an unpaved surface. Nelsonnville is a small, quiet town and half hour from Hocking Hills State Park. The highway connecting the two is an awesome drive.
Response from Chad on Aug 16, 2014
The parking area actually is paved, with bricks, and is very historic. There is also some grass growing in the area, and I keep it weed eated. I am building a larger parking area, which I hope to pave with bricks. I also plan to put solar panels over that parking area that will both shade cars in the summer and produce electricity. In the winter, the sun is lower, and the sun will reach under the solar panels to warm the cars.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Room comfort
Response from Chad on Jul 26, 2014
Many, many people have greatly enjoyed my hostel. I have stayed at scores of hostels in several countries. I am rapidly improving the hostel.