Chichilli Tea Hostel Vienna

Some of the staff were really sweet, though communication was difficult with others because of the language barrier. The hostel is cheaper than other places in Vienna, but it wasn’t actually cheap, and they insisted on cash when I arrived. After a full day of travel, having to head to the metro for an ATM at 11:30pm was the last thing I wanted. It’s a strange halfway house for people moving to Vienna, not really a travelers’ hostel, and it’s far from city sights with a really depressing feel. I hated coming back at night and avoided it whenever I could. Maybe pay a little more and find somewhere comfortable.

Getting to the centre by tram takes about 5-10 minutes. Booking through airbnb was easy and cheap, and check-in was a breeze, with no need to check out. The place was clean, the beds were soft and the showers were good. We met some cool, relaxed people, though that obviously depends on who happens to be there.

The staff are lovely, but some of the other guests felt a bit odd. There seem to be people staying long term, which in my view isn't great for a hostel and can make for a less than ideal crowd. It’s basically two converted apartments, so it doesn’t feel like a great setup for solo travelers. There’s public transport nearby, but not much else around. Nothing is outright wrong with the place, and I’d stay if I had to, but I’d choose somewhere else if I could.

My bus to Vienna arrived more than two hours late. I called the hostel straight away to see if we could work something out, but the front desk closed early and they wouldn't make any exception to the cancellation policy, so they kept the full booking price. I’d only booked the room an hour earlier, which made their lack of cooperation especially disappointing. The policy itself is fine, but they won't go out of their way to help.