Imaginary Hostel

The room wasn’t cleaned properly before I arrived. I found a used contact lens from a previous guest, and the bed linen had stains. That’s not what I expect for the price, especially when basic hygiene is an issue. The advertised shared kitchen is just a metal table with a sink, wall shelves, and a microwave that isn’t plugged in. There are no free outlets or refrigerator, so preparing and keeping your own food is nearly impossible. The dining area also appears to be under renovation, with an unfinished floor and building materials and tools lying around. Exposed pipes beneath the sink and cleaning products beside food and cooking utensils were concerning. The furnishings in the listing photos don’t match what’s actually there, and the hostel falls short of its advertised standards.

The four bed dorm was worth the money, and there’s a coworking space too. I liked the location, close to the ferry terminal but still central, and there was plenty of room to cook. Most of the pots were badly burned, so I used a pan to boil something instead. The toilets felt a bit narrow, though I got used to them quickly. There was usually a strange, unpleasant smell while showering. Even so, I had a good stay.

It took me a while to find the place, and the room felt quite cold. The location is handy for getting to other spots, though, and it’s very close to the port. The hostel is pretty dark and has an old feel, fitting for its location in the old town.

The location is the only good part. Everything else was trash, and I’d tell tourists to avoid this hostel. I ignored earlier bad reviews and regretted it. If you pay just 10 euros more elsewhere, you might get a private room and a chance to actually rest. Sleep was impossible. The dorms felt like an international snoring contest every night, and the place was dirty and so dark it felt like a basement. Cleanliness seemed like a rumor. Many guests appeared to be older long term residents who treated shared rooms like their own apartments and left them filthy. One person carried his bag everywhere, even into the kitchen and toilets. Other older guests typed on ancient, crappy laptops all night, click clack until morning. There was also a guy who was constantly drunk, could barely stand, and was always around. With the dim lighting, it did not make the place feel safe or comfortable. The staff were polite, at least. When I complained around midnight, they moved me to another bed, but that room had another professional snorer. Tourists shouldn’t have to share with long term residents like this. Avoid this place at all costs.