Simpkins' / Hostel Capitol City

We present one of the area's cheapest hostels. Hot showers, clean toilets, large beds, free pc internet and Wi-Fi. Book with a specific arrival time before 9 p.m. and after 9a.m. (10 a.m.. on Sat or Sun)

We have one of the cleanest and cheapest hostels in DC. Hot showers and free pc internet and Wi-Fi are incl. Open only to travellers with passports and proof of current international travel or isic/ US Uninersity ids (from greater than 50 mi outside of DC) w/ credit card or environmentalist paystub. Book with a specific arrival time before 9 pm (21:00) and after 8am (after 11am on Sat & Sun.). Beds may not be in the same room despite booking them in the same room. This is not a "party" hostel.

Just 25 blocks east of the Capitol Bldg., Hostel Capitol City is a typical facility located directly on the main road from the sights, 40 blocks east of the White House. The atmosphere is atypically exclusive, as management is strict about requiring guests to show a passport and proof of international travel or Uni cards.

Free dsl internet (pc and WI-FI), free linen, free maps, free milk and peanut butter and toast and tea, plus the cheapest prices. No curfew or lock-out and air-conditioning makes Hostel Capitol City the best value for backpackers who want to be less than 30 blocks from the centre of DC, the Capitol Building.

Follow H Street, East, from the White House or Metro Centre or Chinatown, or Union Station Amtrak/ Greyhound. Walk East or take the X2 Bus East. Get off at 2301 Benning Road, the closest bus stop. Walk 30 more meters East (along the same main road) to the hostel, next to Kerry’s Chinese Food, at 2411 Benning Road. The sign," Capitol City" is near the door.

The middle-class area is safe at all hours, counter-intuitively safer than the wealthy areas of Washington, DC. The last bus from the White House is @ 2:30 AM, and takes less than 10 minutes to arrive at the hostel. It, the X2 Bus, runs through Chinatown and is less crowded/noisy after 10pm, although at 10pm, it can take 15min. and twice that during rush hour.
Most museums, galleries, monuments and sights in Washington, DC are free of charge and of first quality...so enjoy the best value in hostel holidays at Simpkins' Capitol City.

Thank you and good travels. PS. We have a cat.

Accommodation Information

Acommodations are basic mixed dorms but air conditioned. Free wifi and pc internet access, linens/ towel, and free tea are the side show. The main attraction is the quality of guest as only serious students and/or international travelers are permitted to stay.

Location Information

Located just 25 blocks from the ceter, the Capitol Building-where the Senate and Congress work -and 40 blocks east of the White House-where the president works-, one can ride the X2 Metro Bus 22hrs per day to those sites from directly across the street. The bus starts at 4:30 AM. Coming from those sites, get off of the bus at 23rd, the 2nd Popeye's. Do not go to Benning Rd metro station. If you want to access the rail, Stadium/ Armory, on 19th Street, is the correct station. It's about a 15 min. walk and should be used from GW University, the Mall or the airports but not Chinatown.
Chinatown is centered on H Strret and 30 blocks away.
The bus takes about 45 seconds per block when the traffic is heavy. During late-night hours, the traffic is light, the ride takes less than 30 seconds per block.
Some of the best rock bars in DC are located between 15th and 12th Streets, NE (ten blocks west of the hostel). It's very inner city but HStreet/ Benning Rd experiences less crime statistically than more pop/ traditional areas and is walkable if you don't want to take the X2 Bus for 10 blocks.