OMG! India House Hostel: New Orleans' BEST Kept Secret?!
OMG! India House Hostel: So, That's New Orleans' Secret? (A Messy Confession)
Okay, so I just got back from New Orleans, and let me tell you, the city is… well, it's a vibe. And the biggest mystery? This place called OMG! India House Hostel. Everyone raves about it. "New Orleans' Best Kept Secret!" they holler. Right. I'm usually skeptical of "secrets," especially when everyone seems to know them. But here's the deal: I'm gonna spill the (slightly spilled) beans. Buckle up, because this review is gonna be… well, it’s gonna be me.
First, the Basics (Because I Gotta):
- Accessibility: Okay, so here’s an area where I can't truly comment. I personally don't need wheelchair accessibility, but the website does state they have facilities for disabled guests. I couldn’t see it in action, but worth checking their website directly, because I’m not the expert here and it's important.
- Internet Access: Let's be honest, in this day and age it's almost a requirement. Good news: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms is a solid win, and they have LAN connections if you're a tech dinosaur like me. Wi-Fi in public areas? Yep. It's New Orleans, you're gonna need to be connected.
- Cleanliness & Safety: (Deep breath). This is a HUGE deal right now, right? Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere… They seemed to be taking things seriously. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. Staff trained in safety protocol? Allegedly. It felt… safer than I expected, which is a relief.
- Rooms: Air conditioning? Thank God, yes. Especially in the humid, soul-sucking embrace of a New Orleans summer. Free Wi-Fi? Yeah, we got that covered. Coffee/tea maker? Nope. You're on your own, tourist. And let's not forget the ever-important blackout curtains. Necessary to combat those neon-soaked nights. Honestly, my room felt pretty standard, nothing fancy, but clean and functional.
- Getting Around: Airport transfer? Yep. Car park? Free. Car park on-site? Double yep. Taxi service? Also, yes. Considering New Orleans' reputation for… well, for getting a bit wild at night, having options for getting around is pretty darn appealing.
Now, the Meaty Stuff. Let's get personal (and a little messy):
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A True Adventure (and a Hangover):
Okay, so the hostel itself doesn't have a full kitchen setup, but there's a Convenience store that saved me more than a few times (hello, greasy snacks at 3 a.m. after a night of Bourbon Street mayhem). Seriously, it was a lifesaver.
But the real magic? The location is a freaking goldmine. You're steps from… EVERYTHING. Seriously everything. Restaurants with Asian cuisine, Western cuisine, and International cuisine are all within walking distance. I went to a cafe that served incredible coffee/tea and another that had a killer happy hour. There was even a vegetarian option, which, after a few too many Hurricanes, was a blessing. The only downside? Trying to remember where I ate to make some notes for this review. My memory is a bit fuzzy…
Pool with a View? Let's Talk About It:
I'm gonna cut through the crap here: there's no pool at the hostel. Nope. Zero. Zilch. The website suggested a pool with a view… I ended up trekking across town to find one, and it was okay. But you know what? The hostel's location is so central, you're practically swimming in options for things to do. So, the missing pool? Meh. Not a dealbreaker for me.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: My Personal (and Chaotic) Experience:
Alright, deep breath. This is where things get… well, me. I went to New Orleans to unwind. This hostel, being a social place, wasn't exactly the place for a spa day. No sauna, spa, steamroom, or massage on offer. But, hey, there's no pressure to hang out. I'd come back to my room after a day of exploring and sometimes just crash. Sometimes I'd just zone out, and other times I'd hit the streets.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe-ish:
I was genuinely impressed with the precautions they were taking. Lots of hand sanitizer, individually wrapped food options (I’m not sure what this means, but it sounds safe!), and staff wearing masks. I felt… comfortable. I spent a lot of time out and about, so I wasn’t there all day to see how everything really worked, but it felt like they were trying.
My Super-Specific, Possibly TMI Anecdote: The "Lost My Keys, Found My Sanity" Incident:
Okay, so here's where things get REALLY personal. One night, while… exploring Bourbon Street (let’s just say, I explored), I lost my keys. Panic. I was certain my trip was ruined. I dragged myself back to the hostel, fully expecting to be locked out. But the front desk was staffed 24/7. I got a new key quickly. I got a new key card. They were helpful, friendly, and absolutely unfazed by my frazzled state. (They’ve seen it all before.) And that, my friends, is a sign of a good hostel. The fact that they recovered those keys made the whole experience better.
The Verdict: Is it REALLY New Orleans' Best Kept Secret?
Honestly? The secret is probably the location. I'm not a hostel expert! It doesn't have every single bell and whistle, like a spa, or a gourmet restaurant, and sometimes I felt the communal vibes. But the location is fantastic. Cleanliness and safety standards seemed high. And the staff? They went above and beyond when I lost my keys. (And even if I hadn't lost them, they seemed genuinely nice.)
So, yes, I'm gonna say it. OMG! India House Hostel is a pretty darn good choice, especially for the price. It's not perfect, it's not luxurious, but it's… real. And in a city as gloriously messy as New Orleans, maybe that's exactly what you need.
Final, Super Important Notes for SEO & Meta-Data:
- Title: OMG! India House Hostel: New Orleans' Best Kept Secret?! (A Messy Review)
- Keywords: New Orleans hostel, India House Hostel, budget accommodation New Orleans, New Orleans travel, French Quarter hostel, safe hostel New Orleans, clean hostel New Orleans, things to do New Orleans, reviews
- Meta Description: A brutally honest and hilarious review of OMG! India House Hostel in New Orleans. Is it really the best-kept secret? Read about my (slightly chaotic) experience, its pros and cons, amenities, location, cost, and the time I lost my keys.
- URL: (e.g., [your website]/omg-india-house-hostel-new-orleans-review)
- Alt tags would be used for images throughout the text using the phrases like "OMG! India House Hostel exterior", "Hostel room interior", and "New Orleans street near OMG! India House."
India House Hostel: New Orleans Immersion (A Messy Itinerary)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly Pinterest-curated travel guide. This is a survival guide, a love letter, and a slightly hysterical account of my time at the legendary India House Hostel in the chaotic, beautiful heart of New Orleans. Let's call it "The Diary of a Slightly Unhinged Traveler."
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Hysteria (and Maybe a Hurricane?)
- Afternoon (ish): Touchdown at New Orleans Airport (MSY). Okay, so first impression: humidity. Like, immediately slapped in the face with it. And the airport’s a bit…beige. Grab an Uber to India House. Pray it doesn’t rain the entire city. I keep hearing horror stories about flash floods.
- Late Afternoon: Arrival at India House. Jesus. The place is a sprawling, slightly disheveled mansion. Love it. Check-in. Met a guy named Kevin. Seemed nice, but also looked like he'd seen some things. He pointed me to my dorm – a room that smelled faintly of incense, stale beer, and… well, mostly incense. Fine by me.
- Evening: Exploration time! Wandered around the common areas, which are seriously a vibe. Found a communal kitchen overflowing with questionable food and the ghosts of past parties. Decided to stick to pre-packaged chips. Met a girl from Germany named Anya. She was obsessed with finding authentic gumbo, which I'm pretty sure is the unofficial mission of everyone in New Orleans.
- Night: Attempted sleep. Failed. The city is ALIVE. Music spilling from every crevice, people laughing, the distant wail of a saxophone… It's like a party happening just outside my window, and I'm trapped in a weirdly-decorated, slightly-haunted guest room. Thought I’d give the earplugs another go.
Day 2: French Quarter Frenzy & the Quest for the Perfect Beignet
- Morning: Okay, so I was going to wake up early and be all "productive tourist." That didn't happen. Dragged myself out of bed around noon, feeling like I'd been run over by a parade float. Breakfast: instant oatmeal and coffee strong enough to fuel a rocket launch.
- Afternoon: French Quarter Assault! The French Quarter is a sensory overload in the absolute best way. Music everywhere, street performers vying for attention, and the sheer energy of the place. I got lost. More than once. But it was kind of glorious. Found the iconic Jackson Square! I was just wandering around, smiling and trying not to get run over by a horse-drawn carriage. I felt like a total cliche, but also completely delighted.
- Afternoon – The Beignet Debacle: Okay, the mission was GO: Find the perfect beignet. I'd heard all the hype. Everyone raved about Cafe Du Monde. So I waited in line for an hour. An HOUR. The anticipation was KILLING me. I get to the front, order my beignets (covered in a mountain of powdered sugar. It’s like they’re trying to kill you. Okay, maybe not, but I'm not a huge fan of sugar and the huge amount, I had to start to inhale), and bite in, and… they were good. Really good. But the line… The wait… And, honestly, the powdered sugar was everywhere! I inhaled it. I sneezed it. I think some of it ended up in my lungs. I was a sticky, sugar-dusted mess. Still worth it. Kind of. Maybe. I needed a cigarette after the sugar rush and the wait.
- Evening: Back to India House and tried to unwind. More music from the city. More Kevin. More staring at the ceiling.
Day 3: Bayou & Booze Cruises (and Potential Regret)
- Morning: Recovered the sugar rush of the day before with a huge bottle of water and a long shower. Met a dude from Australia who was already on day three of his New Orleans trip and looked like he hadn't slept in a week. Asked him for advice for some activities.
- Afternoon: Bayou Tour. Booked a swamp tour. The swamp was amazing, honestly. Alligators! Giant spiders! Spanish moss dripping from the trees. So, so beautiful and, at moments, pretty terrifying. The tour guide was a character. He was a true New Orleans native with stories for days. He did something to freak me out: He grabbed an alligator and said "he doesn't bite" while touching the alligator. I was terrified, but the others seemed as if it was the most normal job in the world.
- Evening: Booze Cruise. Okay, here’s where things get blurry. Free drinks on a boat cruise. Bad idea. So many shots. Dancing. Singing. I think I may have danced with a pirate? Not sure. Woke up the next morning with a pounding headache, a fuzzy memory, and a distinct feeling of "What have I done?"
- Night: I'm skipping the details. Let's just say I'm very glad I didn't have to work today.
Day 4: Cemetery Stories & Jazz Obsession
- Morning: Spent the morning nursing my booze cruise hangover with a greasy breakfast sandwich from somewhere I can't even remember.
- Afternoon: Cemetery Tour. Cemetery tours are morbid, but also kind of fascinating. Learning about the above-ground tombs and the history of the city's unique burial practices was really amazing. Very atmospheric. Met a tour guide who actually seemed to care and wasn't just trying to make a buck off us.
- Evening: Finally, managed to find a proper jazz club. I had always been a big jazz fan and the live music was incredible. Absolutely lost in the music. The energy was amazing. The sound felt so alive. I’m pretty sure the dude at the bar winked at me, and I got another beer. I'm not sure who was playing, it didn't matter. I just wanted more.
Day 5: Farewell & Maybe More (Definitely More)
- Morning: Last chance to get that perfect gumbo. Anya and I went on a quest! It was a hard search, but after a few tries from tourist traps, we found a great restaurant. We made the best out of it.
- Afternoon: Packing up. Saying goodbye to Anya. This is actually a bit sad. Saying goodbye to the weird, wonderful, slightly grimy magic of India House and New Orleans.
- Evening: Flight home. Or, maybe, another week. Or maybe I’ll just apply for a job here. I don't know yet, but I’ve never felt so alive and a little bit bruised. New Orleans, you crazy, beautiful, exhausting city, I'll be back. And next time, I'm bringing earplugs… maybe.
This is a glimpse into the messy, imperfect, and utterly unforgettable experience of traveling. It's not about ticking boxes, it’s about embracing the chaos, the unexpected, and the moments that make you feel more alive than you ever thought possible. Now go get out there and get lost! (And maybe pack some wet wipes.)
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OMG! India House Hostel: The Secret's Out (Maybe)!? Ask Me Anything!
1. Okay, Spill the Tea: Is India House REALLY that amazing, or is it just hype?
Alright, buckle up. Because honestly, it’s... complicated. Look, I’ve stayed in some hostels where the biggest life lesson was “don’t touch the communal fridge.” India House? It’s more like a chaotic, beautiful, sometimes smelly, always-memorable family reunion. Hype? Yeah, there's some. But the fact that it's a *secret*? That's the fun part! I mean, if you're looking for sterile, perfectly-Instagrammable accommodation? Go somewhere else. If you're looking for character? Oh honey, you've come to the right place.
2. What’s the Vibe? Is it even a hostel or a…cult? (Just kidding…mostly.)
The vibe? Think… a jazz band playing in a hurricane. Seriously. It's a bit of everything. Super chill backpackers, wild partiers (but, you know, *New Orleans*!), and even some older folks who just want to soak it all in. The 'cult' part? Well, there IS a certain 'India House-ness,' a shared understanding. Like when you're all collectively hungover and someone yells, "Beignets, anyone?!" and the entire place perks up. I actually saw a guy propose to his girlfriend there! It was at like, 2 am after a night of drinking hurricanes. So, romantic chaos? Definitely. Cult? Nah, maybe… a really inclusive club?!
3. The Location, Location, Location: Is it actually good? Is it safe?
YES! The location is GOLD! I mean, seriously. It’s a bit off the beaten path, away from the absolute *craziness* of Bourbon Street (thank the gods!), but still a super easy walk or streetcar ride to the French Quarter, the Garden District, and everywhere else you *need* to be. As for safety? Look, New Orleans is New Orleans. No place is completely crime-free. I felt *mostly* safe. I always travelled in groups later in the evening, and never flashed my cash around. Just exercise common sense, okay?
4. The Rooms! Are they awful dorm rooms, or… less awful dorm rooms? Tell me the truth.
Okay, here's the deal. They're hostels. Don't expect the Ritz. BUT! They're charmingly run-down. Think creaky floors, mismatched furniture, and a certain "lived-in" vibe. Personally, I loved it. I stayed in the 16-bed dorm once, and yeah, there was snoring. There was someone's questionable sock odor. But! There was also a real sense of camaraderie. I made some of the best friends I've ever had in that very room! The private rooms? A bit more upscale (but still, hostel upscale). Consider your tolerance for potential noise and the chaos of other people's lives. Earplugs are your best friend.
5. The Amenities: Free breakfast? Laundry? Pool? What’s the damage?
Breakfast? Yes, they *do* have free breakfast! I'm not going to lie, it's basic. But it's free! Usually toast, cereal, fruits, and coffee. And that is the best start to your day! Laundry is available (thank goodness!). The pool? OMFG, the pool! It's awesome, especially when it's a billion degrees outside. It's small, but it's the heart of the hostel. That's where you meet people, swap stories, drink cheap beer, and nurse your hangovers. They have a kitchen, but it's a bit hit-or-miss in terms of cleanliness. Just clean up after yourself, people!
6. The Staff: Are they helpful and friendly, or… well, are they even *there*?
The staff is one of the BIGGEST selling points. They're amazing, actually! They're like your crazy, fun, slightly-scatterbrained (in the best way) older siblings. They knew everything about the city. They gave the BEST recommendations, and they would actually hang out and drink with the guests! I remember one night, I lost my wallet. Panicked, right? The staff jumped into action, helped me retrace my steps, and even offered me a shot of something strong while I was freaking out. They're true hosts, and they make you feel like you're part of the family. Seriously, shout out to the staff, you rock!
7. The Parties! Is it a party hostel? Or can you actually sleep sometimes?
It depends. It's *definitely* a social hostel. There are nights of epic partying. There are nights where you can hear people having fun. There are, occasionally, nights that get a little out of control. But it's not like, Bourbon Street loud. If you want to sleep, you can. Either get a private room or get some good earplugs. I slept so soundly, sometimes, I barely heard the jazz band playing in the yard until I woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee! Honestly, it's the best of both worlds.
8. Is it really the "Best Kept Secret" anymore? Has it gotten too popular?
Ugh. That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Look, it's popular for a *reason*. There is definitely some hype now. Is it still a "secret"? Maybe not. But, in my opinion, it hasn't lost its soul. The management still seems to care, the staff still has that undeniable energy, and the vibe is still...well, beautifully chaotic. Will it stay that way? Who knows. But jump on there, you will not regret it!
9. Tell me about a time you went through a hell of a time, but lived to tell about it?
Okay, so this is the one that *really* sold me on India House. I was in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. A total rookie move, granted. Booked last minute, everything was crazy expensive, and I was exhausted from the madness of the city. I’d beenBook Hotels Now
