Hostel Jacob Brno

The location was the one good thing, though it also meant dealing with the noise. The basement nightclub stayed loud into the early hours, and it only eased up around 4 am, when people started heading home. Add paper-thin walls, a run-down feel, and a bathroom that wasn't very clean, and the stay was a joke. Paying 165 EUR for a weekend night made it sting even more. Lesson learned, never again.

I've stayed here twice now and would come back again. It's a charming spot for exploring Brno oldtown, with vintage furniture and a really comfortable bed. The whole place was clean, including every corner. The hotel rooms are on the 5th floor, while reception is next door in the building. Check-in was easy, the staff were friendly, and the shared kitchen had everything we needed. Sharing the bathroom wasn't an issue, and there are four toilets on the floor.

I was glad they could fit me in at short notice just before a busy holiday period. The room was basic but clean, warm, and comfortable for the season. Staff were polite when I dealt with them, and English didn't seem to be a problem. The shared areas were quiet during my stay. This place is a hostel, with single rooms, shared rooms, and apartment-style units, rather than a hotel. I knew that before arriving and had no complaints about my room or the facilities. I booked a single room with a shared bathroom directly through their website. The deposit was the frustrating part. The websites say the facility may charge EUR 100 (~ CZK 2500) for apartments, but don't explain whether that applies to other room types like my single room with a shared bathroom. The English website also doesn't make the Terms and Conditions easy to find until late in the booking process, though they are available on the Czech site before booking. The other confusing thing was whether the deposit would be blocked temporarily or taken as a payment. Both websites and the voucher emailed to me described a pre-authorization, meaning the funds would be held rather than deducted. At check-in, my card was charged the full amount straight away. They say the money is returned after check-out if the room is in good condition, but a direct charge can take longer to come back than a pre-authorization. The policy should clearly say online and at check-in that it's an actual charge and whether it applies to every room, not just apartments. Some guests were unruly during the stated quiet hours, too. The front desk closes in the evening, and my attempts to reach staff later weren't successful. Before I left, the staff seemed sympathetic and did their best to address what I'd raised.

The location is amazing, and the room itself was nice with a very comfortable bed. I booked a standard room with shared bathrooms, and I'm a bit torn about the stay. The walls and doors let through every hallway sound. Kids from the family room nearby were running and yelling in the common areas at 1 am, so I ended up sleeping with earplugs.