India House Backpackers Hostel - New Orleans - Reviews & Contact Details

I stayed at this hostel for over 6 weeks in 2002-2003 Christmas period - I even worked on staff for a period of time. I thinks anything that is written about India House, whether it is bad or good, cannot be discounted. Yes, the sewage was often blocked... and the bathroom was often flooded...and the staff were seriously full of 'issues'... But they did have a fantastic Xmas dinner, and great artwork.... It's do-able for a short period of time - then get out as fast as you can! The place gave me nightmares and I still rue the day that I turned up at that shithole....but on the other side, there's something about India House that grabs at you and won't let go. I met some great people at this hostel. I ended up living in New Orleans for another 6 months - on Royal St, just past Desire for anyone that knows the area. All in all, I think that the hostel is just representative of the city itself - if you stay long enough, you get to see the good, the bad, the drunk and the ugly. I came away with a firm love hate relationship

I stayed at the India House (note correct name) in December 2004 for 5 days. While it is funky, I wonder what the exaggerated comments from the woman traveler are really based on. Bedbugs and sewage smells and trashy mattresses statements are a lie. Does she work at some other hostel?

This place is filthy!!!! Period!! Don’t fool by its website!!! I've traveled around the world and have never seen a hostel this dirty. The staff is helpful and the guests are cool, but, oh, man! This place smelled like sewage. The mattresses looked like they were picked up on the roadside, and were waiting for the garbage truck to pick up. I wasn't sure whether the pillow and the bed sheets they gave me were clean. EVERYTHING SMELLED!!! The night staff even smoked in the living room, non-stop, and the smoke passed to the dorm rooms upstairs. After taking a shower in the dirty bathroom and was ready for a good night sleep, I wasn't sure whether I should even lie down on the torn mattress and make bed with the smelly bed sheets. One reviewer is right "if there's a homeless shelter in New Orleans, stay there over the India House". If the weather is not too cold/hot, I will suggest you bring your own sleeping bag and sleep outdoors.

I need to respond to the other review because it's not a fair review. i stayed at the INDIA HOUSE a few days after mardi gras. the place is fun and filled with like minded travellers. if you're an open minded traveller, then you won't mind the fact that it's not the cleanest place on the planet. the sign advising people to watch out is not because it's the worst area, it's because it's new orleans - it's a pretty dangerous city. i liked the place, i met a bunch of great people, the staff put on FREE fish & chips when i was there, free movies, and there's a kitchen to use. it's not the cleanest, but it's $15 a nite - and it's a lot of fun.

Filthy, grimy, disgusting, dangerous, bug infested...... there's just not enough words to describe this place. There's actually a sign next to the door advising girls not to leave the hostel alone (especially at night), and if that's not enough of a put off, then the bed bugs are. i would never stay there again.

Indiana House rocks! Rooms are a little run down, but pure New Orleans style and it fits in with the humid intensity of a city battling the urge to go insane every time the sun sets. The atmosphere is of the classic hostel that you keep reminiscing about ten years down the track- unebeliveably laid back, great, but crazy stafff who have been there longer than they can remember- chilled out friendly guests and informal all nite, all hostel outings. And in the day you can always lounge by the pool....