The Green Tortoise Hostel is located in a historic building -- the restored Elliot Hotel, also known as the Hahn Building -- which dates back to 1908. The hostel is on a busy street, close to all the action of downtown Seattle, and its entrance looks like a shopfront. Once inside, the public areas of the hostels are clean and neat, but not decorated with aesthetics in mind. The front desk and public areas are tidy and clean, but the walls are busy with pamphlets, notices, maps, and posters. A string of small international flags hangs around the perimeter. Not surprisingly, most guests staying here are young people looking for a cheap bed for one or two nights, and most are solo travelers or couples. There isn't a crazy party vibe, but since there's no curfew, guests come and go at all hours. Earplugs are available at the front desk.

The Green Tortoise Hostel is located in downtown Seattle at First Avenue and Pike Street, across from Pike Place Market, a city landmark. Many attractions are within easy walking distance, and there are lots of cafes, shops, and restaurants in the immediate neighborhood. Like on most streets in downtown Seattle, there's a visible homeless population here. 

• Three-minute walk to Pike Place Market
• Four-minute walk to the Seattle Art Museum
• Six-minute walk to Westlake Center
• Six-minute walk to Seattle Waterfront
• 14-minute walk to Pioneer Square
• 11 minutes to King Street Train Station via public transit
• 12 minutes to Olympic Sculpture Park via public transit
• 13 minutes to the Experience Music Project Museum via public transit
• 14 minutes to the University of Washington via public transit
• 15 minutes to the Space Needle via public transit
• 18 minutes to Seattle University via public transit
• 32-minute drive to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (40 minutes via public transit)

The dorm rooms at The Green Tortoise Hostel are clean and utilitarian, without much effort put into decoration or sense of place. The dorms are either co-ed or women-only, with eight- six- or four-bed rooms available. The rooms vary in size, and some aren't cramped. Each top and bottom bunk bed has a curtain for privacy, power outlet, reading light, fan, and a large storage locker underneath the bed. All the rooms also have in-room sinks, and sometimes desks. There are several shared bathrooms on each floor. They're clean and modern, and have individual walk-in shower cabins, a sink, and toilet. Towels cost extra, but sheets are included with the room price. Free Wi-Fi is available in all the rooms. Private rooms have attached bathrooms and a few family rooms are available.

Features at Green Tortoise cater to young travelers on a budget. A free breakfast is available each morningk which includes make-your-own eggs and pancakes, as well as bread, jam, peanut butter, fruit, and steamed rice. A free dinner is also served three evenings a week, with an option for vegans. Guests are free to use the communal kitchen, which is stocked with refrigerators, a stove, and crockery. Vending machines sell snacks and useful items like laundry detergent. There's a large common room with cable TV, tables and chairs, and comfortable chairs and sofas, as well as a game room. Events and activities are scheduled regularly, like pub crawls and guided visits to popular local attractions. Other useful amenities include a coin-operated laundry, ATM, indoor bicycle storage and rentals, and free earplugs. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hostel.