About Us


In June 1994, we opened our first hostel at 437 J Street, San Diego, in one of the Gaslamp’s many historic buildings, which was originally called the Grand Pacific Hotel, and there began the company’s history. In March 1996, the hostel moved to its present home at 726 5th Avenue. Since its inception, USA Hostels has strived to provide the highest quality budget accommodations for the international traveler (a.k.a. backpacker). Our reputation is built on the cleanliness, safety, service and many activities of each of our hostels. All of us at USA Hostels feel a great amount of satisfaction when we see smiles on the faces of our guests – or especially when they tell us how much they’ve enjoyed their stay. So please don’t be shy to let us know how we did! Hope to see you soon!
David Reuter President USA Hostels, Inc. david@usahostels.com David's goal is to climb the highest mountains of each continent. Just 3 more to go! David (seen here on the right on top of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania) is the nicest most brilliant and good looking person you could ever meet. David pays us!!!!
Marc Desmarais Vice President, Operations USA Hostels, Inc. marc@usahostels.com Marc's parents couldn't understand why at age 5 he was so upset when they moved him from a bunk bed to a normal bed. Now it all makes sense. He is obsessed with hostelling!
Originally from Montreal, Canada, Marc (seen here in Poznan, Poland) has lived in L.A. for the past couple of years. He has traveled to Europe twice, both trips were interrupted by floods. Consequently, the E.U. has banned him from ever visiting again. He hopes to sneak back in someday to visit Italy and Greece. Marc has also been to 36 American states and 8 of the 10 Canadian provinces. When not in front of his computer, Marc enjoys hiking, skiing and softball. Sissy.
Kathrine Vabo General Manager USA Hostels, Inc. kathrine@usahostels.com Kathrine discovered at the tender age of 5 that family vacations are way too short, and has since struggled to cure her itchy feet (no luck so far, any suggestions?).
Originally from Norway, Kathrine (seen here on the Inca Trail in Peru) has been based abroad since 1996. She has lived in the UK, Florida and California, and traveled through most of Europe and the USA as well as Mexico, Costa Rica and Peru.Some of her fondest travel memories include dining with the mafia in Corsica, escaping an erupting volcano in Costa Rica and hiking the Inca Trail in the Peruvian Andes. Kathrine speaks English, German and Spanish as well as the Scandinavian languages. She dreams of spending extended time traveling in Latin America, studying Spanish, hiking the mountains and learning about the many ancient cultures of the region. Kathrine joined the USA Hostels Team in October 2001, as manager for the San Diego hostel. She moved to the Hollywood location in November 2002, and quickly promoted to the company's General Manager.
Erica Lagios Manager USA Hostels Hollywood erica@usahostels.com From the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea, Erica(on the right in Venice) has fallen in love with many cultures.
She has explored her family’s background in the glorious green of Ireland, in the Toy Museum of Nuremberg and in the black beaches of Santorini. But, a four-day stay in Paris capped her first trip to Europe, in 1993. Erica was in heaven! She finally got to see the Eiffel Tower. Erica’s family began their trip in Spain. Barcelona was the first European City she had been in and she was amazed by Gaudi’s architechture. She had never seen such different designs. Erica’s’ favorite trips to Europe have been to Italy. She remembers getting off the plane for the first time alone in Europe, thinking “How am I going to get to Florence when I don’t know the language and have no idea where I am going?” This is the excitement that she lives for when she travels. The opportunity of seeing and experiencing new things is also what Erica loves about traveling. During one of her trips to Venice, she attended Carnivale. The scenery, costumes and history of that city make Venice one of her favorite places to visit. In the future, Erica hopes to travel to the Asia, Africa, South America, and the rest of Europe. With so much beauty in the world and so many different things to do, Erica looks forward to the adventures of traveling.
Marjorie Boucher Assistant Manager USA Hostels Hollywood koolaidauxcerises@hotmail.com (Please read the following in a thick French-Canadian accent) Hello people! Here I am, 21,in Hollywood, L.A. People call me Marge and I am from freezing Quebec, Canada.
Traveling is my passion; I want to become a perpetual traveler. I backpacked Europe 3 times and I visited parts of U.S.A. I can't wait to see the rest of the world. I studied languages, so I am now supposed to speak French, English and Spanish but sometimes I think I have missed too many classes!! I am dynamic, creative and super friendly. I like Millencolin, Japanese culture, Subway, West Coast orgasms, comedy nights at the Hostel and our cook Omar's lasagna (Seriously the best ever!). I'd like to meet all of you international travelers. I'll be more than happy to welcome you and your friends in my crib, USA Hostel Hollywood. So, pack your stuff and I look forward to chatting with you!
Dominique Doman Manager USA Hostels Las Vegas dominique@usahostels.com Our Vegas manager is known simply as Domi. Originally from France, Domi loves to travel and socialize with people from different countries and cultures.
Now, working with backpackers makes me want to travel even more and see as much of the world as possible". She truly puts the 'viva' in "Viva Las Vegas!" You'll often find her in the lounge or around the pool making sure that all of her guests are having the best time possible. She's helpful, she's friendly, she's cool. She's our Domi. (Pictured above with some of her staff)
Laurie Kortegast Assistant Manager USA Hostels Las Vegas laurie@usahostels.com Raised in rural Maine on a horse farm, she spent the summers at ridding competitions and the winters skiing.
Sick of Maine she ran off to Vermont where she attended Bennington College and received her BA in Liberal Arts. Which means she liberally studied both Ceramic Art and Architecture. During this time she developed a fascination with Italy and Italian Architecture. So, she got on a plane and wondered around Italy for a few months. Since then she's gone back to attend her friends wedding in Pisa, and plans on returning as soon as the money comes in. Back on the home front, she's driven across this beautiful country twice (so far), lived in six different states and almost always has a smile on her face.
Kate Costello Manager USA Hostels San Diego kate@usahostels.com Kate (pictured on the right in Florence while cycling across Italy) has backpacked around Europe, and really enjoys the lifestyle of a traveler.
She has visited England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and France.Kate looks forward to her next adventure and can't wait to explore Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Kate was born in Northern California and obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in Recreation and Business from San Jose State University. She competed as a swimmer in college and enjoys activities such as biking, roller blading, running, aerobics and anything else that gets her outside enjoying the weather in sunny San Diego.
Antony Taub Assistant Manager USA Hostels San Diego antonytaub41@hotmail.com Antony was born in New York, grew up in Louisiana, attended university in Missouri, and squandered the rest of his youth in Seattle working as a waiter and an actor.
An avid West Coast traveler, he has also spent time in France, Scotland, and Germany. Future destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, and the rest of Europe. Although his love for movies, TV, and music keep him in pathetic physical shape, he is looking forward to surf lessons this summer. (Pictured above in the clown costume at Annie Corder's (purple wig) going away party along with Kathrine Vabo (pink wig). We believe that is the photographer's beer on the right).