Hostel Pansion Lion

I barely slept during my two nights here. The bars downstairs played loud music until midnight, and even wax earplugs didn’t help. The walls were so thin I could hear everything in the rooms next door, including very private moments, and guests passing through the second hallway kept making noise. The building also had many strange people hanging around, which made me feel very unsafe, and the door didn’t work properly. The room was the dirtiest I’ve ever stayed in. There was dust and dirt all over the floor, and I killed three spiders in my first 24 hours. The sheets seemed clean, but the rest felt neglected. Strong air fresheners were everywhere, though they couldn’t cover up the uncleanliness. The only things I liked were the reliable WiFi and convenient location.

The price was great, and I loved how every room had its own lovely decor. The staff were kind and fun to chat with, too. It’s right in the centre of Sarajevo, though being next to a night club did bother me.

The location is great for visiting the tourist area. The hostel itself was clean, and the room had some nice decorations, but the corridor door had gaps and did little to keep out the noise from other guests. There was no air conditioning, and without mesh on the window, mosquitoes were a bit of a problem. The bar downstairs was quite loud until 2am, so bring good earplugs if you’re staying on a weekend. I’d paid for one room in advance, but when I arrived I paid for a different one. There was a bit of a language barrier, and I agreed to the offer. After I’d gone for a walk around the city, I was suddenly asked to pay a high season surcharge. At one point another guest accidentally locked the front door. A few of us knocked for ages, but the bar music drowned us out. We called the number on the door and explained what had happened. The employee who answered bluntly said he wasn’t working and eventually hung up. We knocked, shouted, and waited for over 45 minutes before a guest inside finally heard us.

My room was warm and clean, with a comfortable bed, and the bathroom was clean too. Soap and towels were provided. The staff helped me find the best option, and it’s possible to have a room to yourself. Reception is open 11-20h, but you get a key, so you can come and go freely. It’s a very good location and a nice place.