Hostel Pushkin 10

The location is good, but getting around the city is cheap and you’ll probably use transit anyway. Hostel 10 and Aleksandria are in the same creepy building. I’d look elsewhere. I arrived at 5am and found a guest in his boxers at the front desk. They showed me to an 8 bed dorm, where my bed looked like someone had already slept in it. When I came back from the bathroom, the man was with the manager, shining a flashlight to look for more bed bugs. His sheets had two dark red blood stains from bugs he’d just killed. The manager offered to move him to the top bunk, but I felt completely uncomfortable. Between the unsettling entrance, musty smell, strange guests, used looking bed, and bed bugs, I didn’t want to stay. I can’t understand why this place is rated so highly.

We came back to this hostel twice, once at the start of our trip and again at the end, staying in the 8-bed dorm both times. It felt friendly, clean, and welcoming. Something unexpected happened during the second stay, though it wasn’t anything the hostel could have prevented. The team dealt with it professionally and fairly, and were understanding throughout. We felt looked after and would stay again next time.

I spent a week there and first thought the bites on me were from mosquitoes. I’d seen some, and bed bug bites can take days to appear, so I didn’t realize what they were until I actually saw the bugs. I told the owner, whose reaction made it seem like he already knew. He just said, “ohh.. okay. Thank you” :/ and I’m really pissed. I have over 50 bites and feel miserable. I’ve never had chicken pox, but I imagine this is something like it. Now I also have to inspect and sanitize all my things. Sorry about my unshaved leg, but I’m sharing this in case it helps someone else avoid the same thing.

The location is great and felt very safe. The beds are comfortable, with a socket at every one, and there’s a useful paper guide to places to see and eat around the city. I’d happily return. This is the kindest hostel I’ve stayed at. Ilya at reception is so sweet, helpful, and kind. The other guests were decent too, nobody shouted or stole, and everyone cleaned up.