The location is great; steps to the subway, Kenmore Square,Fenway Park. A pleasant walk to Newbury Street shops. The staff are cheerful and helpful. The rooms are large, clean, and have new beds and sheets (carpets and tiles need repairs). They convert this place from dorm to hostel each summer, so it feels a little bare. But the staff is ready to help you explore Boston, and the price is right at this location.

This is simply the best hostel I've ever been in! Everything is nice and in great shape. Only 3 people per room, and every room has a dresser, desk, closet, and private bathroom w/ bathtub. This is the only hostel I've ever been in where they provided soap and cups! You're basically staying in a dorm that kids pay a ton to stay in, so it has to be good. Close to the T. Save money, stay here, and meet people!

Above post is probably from when it was still a HOJOs-- Boston Universityrecently turned this into a dorm for the school year, and it's a hostel during the summer so I am sure conditions have improved.
Probably pretty basic- it is a dorm!- but a great location for visitors on a budget!

I went there in 2001 - it is really more of a motel than a hotel. The whole place was totally uninviting, rooms and decor was dark and dingy, gloomy, so was the reception area. There was a swimming pool area which looked like a deserted local authority outdoor swimming pool. no frills. I darent attempt the food. I saw a huge dead cockroach outside one of the rooms and it was there for days. Only positive thing was that it wasnt dirty. We moved to Miami later and stayed in a beautiful hotel which was the same price as the Ho Jo. Personally I would only go there the only alternative was to sleep on the streets!!