Institut St Sebastian

I slept well every night. It was quiet after dark, and I think the many hotels nearby mean the cafés and restaurants are considerate about following the house ordinance. My room looked out over the shops and people below, towards the rock mountain, and stayed cool in the shade. The place felt welcoming and homelike, with a private bathroom, closet, desk, and window. There’s an old-fashioned key, and check-in is between 2 and 4pm. Breakfast is on the 1st floor from 7 to 9am, and was a great start to the day. The Monastery is for students, with their own area, and there’s a dedicated indoor spot for bicycles. Shops, food, and all the places you need are just steps away in the heart of old Salzburg. I’d definitely stay again. I love hearing the church bells.

Getting in was easy even though I arrived around 6 PM. The self-check-in instructions were clear, and I could also check out without trouble early in the morning, before reception opened. I’d booked a shared room but was “upgraded” to a single. It was clean and quiet, even with windows facing the pedestrian street, and the location is unbeatable. One suggestion, especially for winter, would be to have tea or hot water in the common dining area so guests can warm up.

I was worried when I learned my study abroad institute had put me in a hostel for four weeks, but it turned out surprisingly satisfactory. The rooms were cleaned every day, my roommates were cool, and the terrace was beautiful. There are curfew hours: the kitchen power and terrace shut off at a set time each night, and the room is locked during the night. The washing machine takes coins, and if you’re too late to move or collect your laundry, you have to pay to open the door. Depending on where your room is, you WILL wake up around 5 am on Mondays and Wednesdays, I think, when the rubbish is collected, and you’ll smell it too.

Out of the three hostels on our group trip with 26 adults and students, this was easily the best. They even had a sign in the elevator welcoming us, and the staff were really friendly. Our room was spacious, with a table and chairs, outlets by every bed, and reading lamps. The beds were already made and very comfortable, and the remote-controlled air conditioning had no limit on how warm or cold it could go. The bathrooms were spacious and nice too. Breakfast was okay, and much better than at the other places we stayed. The hostel is centrally located, just a few minutes’ walk from Mirabelleplatz.