New Hyannis hostel opens on Cape Cod in July

Posted by Mary on Jun 10, 2010

Cape Cod, Massachusetts, hasn’t had a new hostel open in more than 25 years — but this July, HI-New England will open one in Hyannis, overlooking a small harbor on Nantucket Sound. The grand opening has been scheduled for July 9.

The hostel is a converted home that was generously left in trust by Ruth Rusher — a long-time Cape Cod resident and celebrated local tour guide — to be used as a youth hostel after her death.

Construction on the Angeline Crocker Hinkley Hostel (named after Rusher’s mother) began earlier this year, and involved renovating the interiors of the historic home and a nearby barn. The main building is a Sears Roebuck kit house from around 1910 — although builders are installing new interior walls, they’re also trying to maintain as many original features as possible, including wooden floors, a classic staircase, and a few 100-year-old windows.

Hyannis has already proven itself as a hostel destination — Hostelling International operated a hostel in this village until 1994, when that building was deemed structurally unsound and fixing it was just too expensive to manage.

The new hostel will host up to 44 travelers in dorms or two private rooms from April - November. HI-New England operates two other hostels on Cape Cod, in Truro and Eastham on the northern arm of the Cape. Hyannis is also the gateway to Nantucket Island and the HI-Nantucket Hostel, and is just 90 minutes from Boston, where there are two more HI hostels.

The Hyannis hostel opens in July; reservations can be made online. Dorm beds run $29 - $39; private rooms are $89 - $119. All rates include free breakfast.