Gardner Hotel
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Gardner Hotel
Welcome to Gardner Hotel, the oldest continually operating hotel in the city of El Paso, Texas. This hidden jewel will transport you back to the 1920's and offer an experience like no other hotel in El Paso. Our hotel was first opened in 1922 by Preston E. Gardner, and has been in the Nebhan family since the 1940s; a stay with us is an experience in El Paso history.

Guests are transported from the busy Downtown El Paso streets to a place that is reminiscent of another era. Our marble staircase leads to rooms that have seen countless guests and still retain their charming features. One such guest was America's Most Wanted, bank robber John Dillinger and two members of his gang who checked into Gardner Hotel while on the run.
Services
Our family run hotel has a rich history that we are happy to share with you! Gardner Hotel is the oldest continually operating hotel in the city of El Paso, Texas. Founded in 1922, the downtown hotel has a long history of serving the public, including famous guests, over the years. We have had the privilege of several figures in American history stay with us, and our hostel memorabilia in the lobby will take you right there!
Gardner Hotel offers all the amenities all world class hotels offer, in comfort and style. We are open 24/7, have high speed wifi, newly refurbished facilities and historical rooms. All of this with being centrally located as a downtown hotel. Gardner Hotel and hostel has a unique sense of old-world charm and the western frontier.
The El Paso Hostel at Gardner Hotel opened back in 1984, and has been serving travelers from around the globe since then! A stay in the hostel is ideal for solo travelers or groups of friends who want to enjoy the downtown location and Hotel's history, but on a budget.

Centrally situated near to all the tourist attractions in the city centre, we are conveniently located for you to enjoy all that El Paso has to offer, whatever interests you may have.
All areas of the city are easily accessible by public bus as the main terminal is only 2 blocks away. There are so many things to do around El Paso. You can take a day trip to the great mystery of Carlsbad Caverns or check out White Sands for a fun filled day in the sun. Or if you want real authentic Mexican food, El Paso boasts many nationally rated Mexican cafes and restaurants.
As you exit the frond doors of the Amtrak Station proceed to the highways to your right (Paisano St.). Proceed to your left on Paisano St. (away from the bridge) until you get to San Antonio Street. Proceed directly down San Antonio St. until you get to the Greyhound Station (Santa Fe Street) where you turn left and walk past the Civic Center until you get to Franklin Ave.
Reviews (20)
Eric XxShadowBlad Xx C.
Eric XxShadowBlad Xx C.
Dec 28, 2021
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My husband and I and my mother in law stayed at this hotel not going to lie when we got there I was a little nervous because of the out side and the area but never judge a book because of its cover this place is a gem. There a lot of places to go eat and there a lot of sites to see since it’s in the downtown area. It is an older hotel so that dose mean there are stairs but if you need help to get to your room they will help you up the stairs there is a community room that dose have a full kitchen with stove sink and microwave to were you can make dinners and there’s also a rec room that has
Magnolia Laich
Magnolia Laich
Dec 07, 2021
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Everyone was very kind and the place was very clean. The rooms were spacious and very reasonably priced. Unfortunately we had some problems with loud music from the surrounding bars but earplugs were provided. We were in room 225 so if you have children or issues with loud noises I’m sure you could call the front desk and ask for a room away from ours. They had discounts for the surrounding restaurants and the neighborhood was very cool!
Donald Listro
Donald Listro
Nov 02, 2021
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I feel scammed! Free parking usually means for every guest not just 2 spaces. It is also is directly next to an extremely loud club and it doesn't get quiet until after 2 am. The parking meters also start at 8am making it impossible to sleep 8 hours to begin with. This isn't a hotel if you plan on sleeping. This place has no right calling themselves a hotel at all.
Christopher Costin
Christopher Costin
Sep 29, 2021
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Was a great place for me to stay during my pass through El Paso. Comfortable, clean and cheap. Walking distance to great restaurants and bars. Free parking out front. Staff was lovely. Would recommend
B. Aa Feliciano
B. Aa Feliciano
Aug 30, 2021
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Cool place, historic full of antiques! It takes you back in time, the rooms are clean and well maintained, can not complain at all about the time I spent at the Gardner, the people at the front desk were really helpful.
You get discount in the bars and restaurants next-door. the food and night life was amazing if that's one thing you aim for.
The price was great for the downtown area and I totally recommend it. You wont regret it, people was friendly, the place was charming and it is just a few blocks from Mexico which you can visit whit-out any trouble.
For sure will be comming back!!
Tony Fabello
Tony Fabello
Aug 07, 2021
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Place was fine until my last night. Go to front desk ask if I can check out at noon. No problem. Next morning 11 o'clock get a call saying we need your room now doesn't matter what front desk told you. As I'm leaving the hotel there is not a single housekeeping cart on my floor, so how effing bad do you need the room? Piss poor customer service. Need to reiterate I wasn't asking for the room for another night, just wanted to check out at noon instead of 11.
Bridget Mullins
Bridget Mullins
Aug 05, 2021
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Its definitely an older property but I enjoyed seeing what an older hotel was set up like. My hostel room was tiny, but luckily I was the only one there! Everything was clean and the staff were very friendly/knowledgeable about the area. I was lucky to get parking right in front of the hotel. They also work with nearby restaurants/bars to offer guests specials.
J. Rod Di Barressa
J. Rod Di Barressa
Jul 28, 2021
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I booked the hotel first for 2 nights but after being in there and see the customer care and location, I stayed 8 days and 7 nights. The owner, the workers all, the reception guys Brandon and Angel and everybody was close and helpul that i was really blessed to find a nice room with private bathroom that made my stay unique i have called them twice to tell them thank you i had a great week and i will be back soon. Thank you again. Mr Rodriguez.
Gregory Pianowski
Gregory Pianowski
Jun 13, 2021
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The accommodations were so bad I ended up leaving and had to find an alternative place after about an hour and a half. The room I got had poor air flow so while the hallway was relatively cool my room was warm. The cool air comes from the hallway AC and you have to have a vent above the door open for circulation but you hear people’s movement. I was instructed to open the screenless window to increase airflow but there was loud music and partying outside and I would probably get bugs in the room. They offered ear plugs too but it’s absurd. I was also next to the bathroom so I had to have a
Brynn D.
Brynn D.
Mar 10, 2020
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Beautiful historic hotel/hostel that has always accommodated me last-minute at a good price. The staff is very friendly and helpful. It's central/walkable to everything downtown; plenty of great bars and restos within a block or two. I've only stayed in the hostel area, and the rooms aren't crowded - I usually have a room to myself. There's a Rec room and kitchen in the basement. Housekeeping is great - it's always clean. Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun nights you'll want earplugs for the nearby clubs, else stay out yourself til 2am - it's historic; the window glass is thin and
Dan K.
Dan K.
Nov 17, 2019
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In reading some of the reviews here, I've come to the conclusion that some people are just whiners who complain when they get what they ask for. You pay $65ish for a hotel room downtown in one of the country's largest cities and are sad it doesn't look like the Holiday Inn? You pay $25ish to stay in a shared hostel room, and you don't like the air conditioning? Get the hell out of here!

This is cheap and interesting housing for travelers. In a world where all of us must make compromises, this is the right set of compromises for me. I'm on a cross-country bike trip from
Roei A.
Roei A.
Aug 21, 2019
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Not sure how to describe this place honestly.
Saw in a few places the reservation is none refundable but couldn't imagine going Into a place like ... place is definitely old and I figured it will have his charm and as much as it didn't come close to it I figured I'll make it work.
Walked In and obviously they run the card so fast before anything so signed and went to eat...
An hour and half later came back and brought my bag (the stairs) and was looking to settle in. 10 -15 min later when I couldn't find an AC thermostat or vent I went downstairs to ask cause room was HOT.
Central
Gary F.
Gary F.
Jun 14, 2018
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Me and my travel buddy. Booked Gardner hotel online. He went inside to pay. Boy I wish we would have looked at the room b4 he paid for it.. elevator was out a svc. And had to walk 3 flites of stairs to room. Didn't know no a.c. in room. It had a 1930's style air cooling system. Where u had to keep ur window open above the door. And room was musty. We went to desk and complained but no refund was offered. We went to another hotel. Mgmt would not offer a rfnd. I would not recommend this hotel as it was 105 degrees outside
Steve N.
Steve N.
Jun 03, 2018
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The hotel is very old and in need to massive renovations. The elevator doesn't work. The rooms do not have air conditioning. It says they have free parking, but only 2 parking spaces for 50 rooms and they were taken already. There are bars next to it that play loud music until closing time. This is the worst hotel I've ever seen and I'm a 58 year old seasoned traveler. Please do not sign anything until you have checked out a room there, as the staff/manager will not issue a refund!
Dalim K.
Dalim K.
Dec 28, 2017
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Worst place to stay. I've never had worse customer service. Old and dirty. Very loud, couldn't sleep. Lied about check out time, price online is a lie, there are only two "free" parking spots. They don't compensate for you paying for parking. Don't trust this place. Horrible place. If you can help it, stay anywhere else!
Jason B.
Jason B.
Nov 17, 2016
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I liked this small inexpensive historical quirky place for a short quick stay in El Paso. There is some real historical character to the hotel. The fixtures all seemed clean, quality, and simple with lots of history. Apparently this is the oldest continuously operated hotel in El Paso that is family owned and operated still to this day. Some improvements are underway to restore more of the historical character. The night when I stayed the lobby floor was being restored to its original tile floor. The neighborhood immediately around the lobby has a few unique historical joints including a
Ashley J.
Ashley J.
Oct 06, 2016
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If you're visiting El Paso definitely come stay at this beautiful hotel downtown. It is wonderfully located around many restaurants and nightlife locations. The staff are all so welcoming and most of them are bi-lingual. Stephanie, the manager, was so friendly and professional. The hotel also provides free wifi! It is also full of history, I mean John Dillinger stayed here! Definitely check it out if you are coming to visit, you won't be disappointed.
John B.
John B.
Jun 07, 2016
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FANTASTIC! Most comfortable hostel ever!!!!


When I checked in the woman at the front desk was amazing! She let me use the bathroom after a long drive (after checking I did have a reservation, understandable). Check in was a breeze and she then suggested some places to go to eat and then told me about the parking situation! They have TWO parking spots directly in front of the building!!! If it isn't busy and you can get one, it is amazing! You can find paid parking around but this was super convenient!

I went out to eat at one of the suggested spots, which was right next door and had a
Leilani D.
Leilani D.
May 12, 2016
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This hotel has worked very hard to turn themselves around - I'm glad I didn't see the past reviews before checking this place out. Apparently they were on an episode of "Hotel Impossible".

I stayed last night in a female hostel room with ensuite bathroom. The room and bathroom were minimalist, but everything was clean and there were zero pests. Service was friendly and helpful.

The kitchen (located in the basement) was apparently redone when they were on the show. Beautiful dishes and simple decor - I had to go up to the front desk to ask for a fork, though - apparently before
Jason M.
Jason M.
Mar 19, 2013
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Do you like the hairs of random strangers to grace your minimalist towel?

Do you like when bugs magically appear in your bed over night?

Do you like when the throbbing bass from an Adele dance remix wafts its way from the gayborhood into your hostel room on the third floor?

Do you like when a hostel inexplicably has free wifi on every floor?

If so, this is perfect for you!
Also, lock your door at night. There are some interesting characters renting rooms month to month.