Urbany Bcngo

The location was probably the best part, but I was relieved when we left. Our group of four had a four-bed room that felt dusty and cramped. The beds creaked and felt weak, and my friend didn't feel safe using the top bunk ladder. There was only one loose socket by the bed, plugs kept falling out, the lighting was awkward, and the blankets were thin. The toilet and sink were tiny, and the soap dispenser had mold around it. The shower was fairly clean, but had poor pressure and needed its button pressed repeatedly. The lockers weren't working, which caused real stress with our luggage, and construction around the hostel made it hard to get around. Customer service was abysmal. A young woman with brown hair just stared blankly and seemed uninterested in talking, while a man with curly hair and an eyebrow piercing was curt, standoffish, and rude when we asked questions. The whole attitude felt nasty and unwelcoming, and left us feeling sad in an otherwise beautiful city. Save your money and find somewhere nicer.

The hostel's modern, social spaces and facilities were great, especially the laundry setup, which made traveling easier. Our private room was comfortable and the shower stayed hot. But after housekeeping came, my bag had been rearranged and things had been moved. It gave us the clear impression that our belongings had been gone through, and we felt uncomfortable. We paid extra for a private room expecting some privacy, so don't leave valuables there.

The only relief was leaving. The hostel felt run-down and low quality, with tiny bathrooms, broken lockers, dead outlets, and AC that didn't work. It was hot during the day and cold at night. The blankets weren't clean, and the lumpy mattress had springs that made it hard to sleep. The shower head needed pressing every 10 seconds, and renting a towel cost 3£. We were told storage would be free at check-in, then charged almost 10 euros after checkout. The locker malfunctioned, and staff passed the problem between themselves rather than helping us or others in the same situation. Construction was everywhere, with unfinished work, beams, rods, and packs left around, shaking dust into the air. Receptionists and other staff were consistently rude and dismissive. Staff shouted at us to go upstairs to reception, then acted annoyed when we asked simple questions about the laundry or storage areas. They laughed at us several times over the language barrier, which felt close to racism and prejudice because of our ethnic and national backgrounds. We were ignored or made to repeat ourselves, then passed back and forth between staff. I hope whatever is behind that behavior gets resolved, because I've never encountered such nasty, miserable attitudes. Staff also seem to go through guests' things. My souvenirs were laid out across the bed, and my socks disappeared. This place gives the impression of being nice and worth the money, but it isn't.

The location is very good, and the staff were generally pleasant and tried to help. Even so, I wouldn't recommend staying here. The room didn't feel clean: the corners were very dirty, with a lot of grime and moisture buildup. Cleaning seemed superficial, perhaps because rooms turn over so quickly between guests, with speed taking priority over a thorough job. The confirmation email said we could leave our luggage if we arrived early, but doing so meant renting a locker for an extra fee.