The Crash Pad

This place is beautifully minimal, clean, and friendly. Considering their location, it’s also very affordable.
By boyfriend and I stayed here on out way back to Indiana from Florida, and got a private room for under $ 100. We didn’t use the kitchen other than to grab some coffee on our way out, but I want to! We’ll be back.
The bar right next door is owned by the same folks, and while I wasn’t too into the crowd, the food and beer selection were commendable. All around, it was a very good experience.
Upon checking out, I realized I only had one glove. It hadn’t turned up by the time we left town, so the friendly folks at Crash Pad sent it to me in the mail. What nice folks!
Thank you!

Stayed for 3 nights. It was a very cool experience. Located close to a lot of really cool shops and restaurants. The staff are excellent!

When you’re tired of the primitive camping next to T-​Wall, book a few nights at the Crash Pad! My boyfriend and I booked a private room, but the bunks looked pretty rad and quiet too. We were thrilled to have clean showers, a kitchen where we could cook our food, and free coffee and breakfast in the morning. The staff were friendly and professional, and I had fun meeting and talking to other climbers. There are also several restaurants and bars nearby where Crash Pad guests get a discount!

What an amazing experience! I was suggested this by a friend who lives locally and thank goodness. This place was perfect. It had everything I needed.
Service: All of the staff introduced themselves and were very friendly. I was a late check-​in and John came back to make sure I got the full tour. They all had awesome suggestions for what I could do for the weekend I was out as well.
Perks: Organic breakfast that you make yourself, on their dollar. It had come really nice common rooms. And the WiFi was steady even when I was Skyping home outside in the super nice bonfire area.
Cleanliness: You think Hostel, you think dirty… the place was so clean. You don’t get that gross feeling like when you walk into a 3 star or lower hotel (like you are worried about what happened in the room.) They are also very eco-​friendly with lots of recycling, etc.
Location: It was super close to a bunch of places in town for great food and drinks out on the town, not to mention the Chattanooga Marketplace on Sunday. I also heard the MegaBus will be dropping off right near there now. So you save the Über fare to get there!
Outdoor: It was also perfect for my outdoor activities. First, they have a list of things to do and places nearby which is convenient when you are not familiar with the area. I went kayaking on Saturday — I had a place to park my rental no problem and didn’t want to bring wet clothes back in my suitcase so for $ 5 I got to wash my clothes. Perfect.
I will be back when I am ready for more Chattanooga. I wish there was Crash Pad in every town. I would probably never stay in a regular hotel again.

Clean, safe and secure high tech hostel with a cool industrial vibe .
Clean– the hostel provides clean linen, towels and blankets with an on site industrial washer & dryer and everything is stripped and washed when you leave.
The design is thoughtful with concrete floors and pine bunks with hot showers modern, minimalist design — very pleasing to the eye.
Secure– you are given electronic pass keys to enter both the building and then again a secure keyed entry to the sleeping quarters. Additionally the bunks have a secure locked space under each bunk to store your stuff. (unfortunately it squeaked LOUDLY whenever it was opened) A wrapped around curtain and a reading light and shelf in each bunk makes it a private cozy space.
The common space was a little cramped but there is an outside patio to make use of .
A free breakfast is included. The restaurant next door which included a brewery is co-​owned by the same people that built the hostel. The restaurant was kinda high end and pricey– for my budget not a place I felt comfortable dressed unless I was dressed up but it is BEAUTIFUL.
Be sure and get a list of reasonable restaurants from the hostel because Chattanooga is a very touristy city and just getting pizza and beer can set you back $ 30 if you are not careful.
This is not your usual hostel. The owners really go out of their way to make your hostel stay the best it could possibly be.
Tip– 1 block from hostel you can rent a bike for 24 hours for less than 15 dollars. The city which is environmentally forward has provided rental bikes that you can pick up and then lock up or return at bike stands around the city. Its a very walkable downtown with lots of people out and about.

Really really loved this place. By far the best American Hostel I’ve stayed in. Stellar bunk situation, LOVE that it has privacy curtains, locker below and fans in every bed. Bathrooms were incredibly clean, people were courteous, and price was reasonable given the niceness of the actual facility. Great location and killer bar/​restaurant next door. The best part is definitely the staff though, everyone we came in contact with was both friendly and helpful (which hey, is a rarity). Just go visit already :)

I stayed at the Crash Pad for three nights in private room F on the second floor and I loved everything about this place. The staff are friendly, the facility is spotless, the location is great, and even my fellow guests were nice. I liked room F because it was the furthest away from the restaurant next door which can get a bit noisy at night. Although, I was so tired every night that I barely heard any noise even with my windows open. I love that the windows open. It’s funny how you miss fresh air when you stay in stuffy, chain hotels. I also love that many of the doors are secured so non-​guests can’t get very far very fast. And as far as noise inside the building, my fellow guests were respectful as far as quiet hours which is a big deal for me when I travel since I like to go to bed relatively early.
I would definitely stay at the Crash Pad again and would recommend it to anyone traveling to Chattanooga. Sure you could stay at a conventional hotel for the same price. But honestly, why would you? This place is much cleaner and the staff are great. Plus, the Crash Pad isn’t soulless like a chain hotel and they actually use sustainable, green practices. I personally wouldn’t stay anywhere else.

GREEN AS A BEAN!
I have heard so much about this place that I had to see it for myself. My husband and I dropped in for a little tour and John was very gracious to invite us in. This little place has been here for approx. four years and it is very unique. They strive to be as green and as environmentally conscious as possible while using local vendors for many of their products and services.
This is a cool place to stay on a girlfriend trip and it is perfect for college students who are on a tight budget but want to explore the city. I love that they have a large international presence due to the many foreign travelers that visit.
Cool idea, great execution.

Okay.. this place is way above average for a hostel. That being said not worth the money. $ 93 after taxes for a private room go to holiday day inn express and they make your breakfast for you. The halls smell like a locker room. The bunks are $ 30 a bit pricy for a hostel. The bathroom was very clean the lobby is very clean. The staff were very nice. Just for the price i would go to a real hotel, seriously. Those who wrote these great reviews are just rich wanna be hipster. Who want to slum it. The restaurant owned by the same owner’s next door, ROCKS. GO THERE… STAY AT A REAL HOTEL FOR THE SAME MONEY.

This place is the best! I had to be in Chattanooga for a month over the summer and they put me up in a hotel and every time I saw this place I dreamed of staying in there instead. I finally got my wishes when I decided to take my husband to Chattanooga to show him all the fun things I did and places I went while I was on my work trip. I immediately knew we were going to be staying in The Crash Pad. We got a private room which is purrrfectly priced. All the staff is incredibly nice and hospitable. We got stuck in traffic and they waited past the time check out was intended to be for us and didn’t make us feel unwelcome because of it. Sometimes people think hostels are dirty and unsafe and I am here to say this one is immaculately clean and nothing but safe.
With your stay you get to enjoy the company of others traveling around the world and listen to their life stories all while enjoying a breakfast on the hostel. In the morning in the kitchen you’ll find local bread, eggs, jam and honey. We didn’t partake in breakfast because I was too excited to show my husband around to everything! Chattanooga is a pretty walkable city but the Crash Pad is in the perfect location to all my favorite places and you know what! While you’re staying at more than 10 places if you show your key card you get a discount. It was a match made in Heaven. I will be back and I am already impatient!

My favorite place to stay in Chattanooga. Always clean and friendly. Beautiful building as well. Mainly a climbers hostel, but it is well located and a great spot for anyone coming to the city. They provide a nice breakfast, but I recommend hopping over to the Bluegrass if you’ve got time. For dinner, go to the Flying Squirrel at least once. It’s next door, delicious, and 20% off for Crash Pad guests.

LOVED. THIS. PLACE. I had a great stay, especially for the price. The front desk personnel are some of the friendliest and most enthusiastic people you’ll meet (a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle mindset of DC). They provided great recommendations for restaurants and budget-​friendly things to do.
I, along with a friend, slept in the Chatt Room and it worked out splendidly. The couch is appx. 6ft long and sleeping on it did just fine. The whole place, particularly the restrooms, were clean and orderly. Coming from two females, safety was NOT a concern in the least while staying at CP. Entry into the building and the bedroom areas required a key fob. For actual rooms, CP provides another actual key.
I’ve stayed at all different types of places around the world (cozy B&Bs, swanky hotels, and family members’ couches), but this place is definitely one of my favorite places to stay.
Stay here or get talked about.

This place was awesome! I can’t say enough good things. We stayed in the private room, but if you’re not bashful they have public bunks that are very affordable! The bathrooms were shared but don’t fret. I was just as worried about my comfort in sharing with strangers, but they were nice and I had no issues with any of it! This place had so many great reviews, it’s hard to believe they are that awesome. They are! I took my boyfriend on a birthday trip. Scheduled our paddle boarding session through crash pad, and our stay. The bar next door is so convenient and just as friendly and great! Great place, loved every minute of our stay!

Great Crash! I have stayed here twice on two visits to Chattanooga. Everything everybody is saying about the Crash Pad is true! After staying in hostels across Europe and North America, this ranks with the best of the best.

The best hostel I’ve ever stayed !!! Really nice rooms and beds with privacy. Unusual hostel and this is good. Free breakfast with good products. A must stay when your in this area

A most unexpected and delightful hostel that makes me want to go back to see what else is in Chattanooga.
We are on a road trip to SF from NY, and happened upon this hostel on
, with excellent ratings. We booked three bunks and due to some driving mishaps, wouldn’t have arrived at the hostel until 2am. We let them know and there was no problem checking in, despite our nervousness.
The bunks are indeed awesome — the rumors are true, as is the breakfast. It’s beautiful, super clean, and everyone is really nice. Oh and no paper towels! Which is awesome (don’t worry, there are hand towels and regular towels provided).
There’s also a guide book they put together of the town: hiking, biking, etc. and local restaurants (some offer discounts for those who crash at the crash pad). I never imagined TN could be so awesome. Will definitely be coming back.

Sorry, Balmers in Switzerland — I thought you were awesome — you are right by Alpine skiing, of course — but you’ve been bested by this little hostel in Tennessee! Woot, USA!
This place is just — cool. I am spending a week, more or less, at this eco-​friendly, modern-​yet-​cozy, super well-​appointed (all work from wood on the beds and bunks to the bathroom counters to the kitchen tile and fixtures are by local vendors) facility. Breakfast is provided every morning: fresh eggs, a couple of bread choices, peanut butter (smooth and crunchy!) and a couple flavors of jam, butter of course, and local coffee made fresh and waiting for you. All the kitchen stuff you could possibly need, from a variety of pots and pans, to silverware, cups, plates, bowls, assorted glassware, oh and of course, a complete set of knives and plenty of spatulas and cooking spoons! Wow.
The bunks, one of which CN is occupying for a bit, are cozy and comfortable. With privacy curtains that let you do things, say, like watch TV on your computer using the 24-​hour wifi, while an extra outlet also lets you charge your cell, and the shelf over your bed boasts plenty of room for a book or bottle of water and the CP-​provided lamp. Oh, and there’s a fan at the other end of the bed just in case you need it. Each bunk has its own — VERY spacious and deep, as in my huge Hartman rolling suitcase can fit in it, even with the handle that sticks still all the way out, and still have room on the side– locking space underneath.
Security is good, with your swipe card having to be used to get into the building, to access your rooms, and with the (nice) laundry machines and linen closet, and the bathrooms, in between the lobby and rooms.
With a bunk being $ 28/​night and scaled up reasonable rates for larger rooms that fit 2 – 4, this is a sweet little place.
Oh, and really, very NPWH.
If you are in or passing through Chattanooga and want an outdoorsy-​encouraging place, one just for a night or two, or are just on a tight budget (that still delivers a wallop for the cost), check out Crash Pad. I think you’ll love it!

This is quite possibly the best hostel anywhere in the US. It provides (very) clean rooms and showers, exceptionally quiet and sturdy bunks, a friendly yet chic atmosphere, and an awesome free breakfast. The whole place does a great job of following an environmentally friendly ethic by recycling water, buying local food, and producing little waste. Even the building itself has been artfully designed from the remnants of an old structure that once stood on the site. Supremely unique, clean, and comfortable, I’d prefer the Crash Pad to many a hotel I’ve stayed at, and it’s way cheaper!

I convinced my mom (who was incredibly skeptical at staying in a hostel). We stayed in a private room so I can’t say anything about the bunks other than they looked nice. The single room was awesome! Super quiet and even had a sink and mirror in it to brush your teeth/​wash your face. The bathrooms were nice and eco-​friendly since they recycle hand wash water to flush toilets with. The showers were clean and large and had an area to set your stuff/​change.
The décor is industrial and they paid close attention to using local items/​artisans even down tot he sinks and light fixtures. They have a pretty rad kitchen to cook/​eat in. They have computers and a nice place to hang in downstairs. They also have Sodaworks you can buy — yum!
The breakfast was okay (some bread and eggs and jams). I would recommend making the trek across the street to Niedlov’s (they do buy some sandwich bread so that you can make toast though).
The guy at the front desk was the highlight though (I can’t remember his name). He was super animated and welcoming — even moving his car when there wasn’t room for me to park. He went above and beyond showing us around and showing us where to go and what to see in Chattanooga.
GREAT experience! Plus the restaurant next door looked fun and busy. Don’t stay at a dumb, impersonal hotel — come here! I only wish they had more hostels in Tennessee/​the U.S.

I’m sometimes hesitant to give a five star review, especially when there are a ton of them, but the Crash Pad really is as good as it gets.
I am not a hostel person. I repeat: I am NOT a hostel person. But I wanted something different for this trip and the Crash Pad was definitely different. And it has everything you need for a great stay out of town — a clean bed, a clean bathroom, great location, and cool owners and staff. I told them when I left that it felt like I’d stay at a friend of a friend’s house — people I didn’t know who let me stay a couple of nights because they knew a friend of mine. So Al said, «Now you know us.» Yeah, now I do.
I was really nervous about the shared bathroom because I have germ phobias and I will only use a public toilet in the event of a seriously-about-to-wet-my-pants-and-can’t-leave-to-go-home-emergency. But this is a shared but not public toilet and it was always clean. Always. And I never saw anyone cleaning it. Magic cleaning fairies maybe?
I opted for the private room because I didn’t want to go around flashing people — although the bunks are pretty spacious and have curtains. (I probably would have fallen out half naked in front of a bunch of mountain climbers.) The private room was awesome and I would recommend it if you’re a little shy.
These guys support the nature-​loving community, so if you want to know about the outdoorsy stuff, they can help you out. They also know where to get fine food, beer and libations too. There are a lot of restaurant and bar options near the Crash Pad.
I didn’t get to chill around the fire pit while it was lit *sad face*, but I did sit next to it while reading during the day, and it was great. It was just the peace I needed. I don’t think it’s always going to be like that — I think I just got lucky.
The Crash Pad is located on the south side of downtown (in the Southside neighborhood), near the free electric shuttle South station. I would walk to the station in about 5 minutes and catch it to the north side of downtown. You can also walk to the north side if you’re not in a hurry to get anywhere.
Everyone was really friendly here. And as an indoctrinated Atlantan, I was a bit socially awkward talking to people I don’t know. John and Al saying, «Good morning, Cynthia,» in unison was sooo different from how I’m ignored by the Atlantans I see every day in my busy office. Even after a late night out they were still «sprightly» the next day.
Whenever I visit Chattanooga, I’ll be staying at the Crash Pad. And it’s cool because I know them now.
Unilocal 52 #13