Downtown Hostel

I really enjoyed my stay and don't quite get the negative reviews. Sure, the beds creak a little, but it's a hostel, not a palace, so I wasn't expecting great comfort. The room had air-conditioning, which was welcome in the heat, plus a lockable locker and a plug and light by the bed. The kitchen table is small for how many people the place can hold, but the kitchen itself is really well equipped. Cooking and keeping food in the fridge were no problem, and the little terrace area was lovely. I was on my own and enjoyed meeting the friendly people there. The bathroom wasn't spotless, but it wasn't nearly as dirty as I'd read. The two showers facing each other may seem strange, but in a room with eight girls I never ended up showering at the same time as anyone else. The location is absolutely amazing, you can't get better. I didn't meet any staff at check-in or checkout, since the key was at reception, but communication by message and phone was very good. For the city and location, I don't think the price is too high. I have no regrets and would recommend it.

The only pro for me was the cat that breaks in during the evening. Otherwise, it was awful. The listing was misleading: the common areas shown on HostelWorld weren't there, there was no real common room beyond a table in the kitchen, no board games, no tours or travel desk, and no 24-hour security. The place was dirty and gross, and there was no staff around. Check-in and checkout were a mess. We let ourselves in and got our keys from behind the desk. We also let in other guests who had been stuck outside for an hour. After checkout, we waited 30 minutes just to pay because nobody was there. There wasn't enough hot water. We were told it ran out after a couple of people showered, and everyone I asked in other hostels said they didn't have any. The women's showers are two stalls side by side, screened off from the rest of the room by a curtain, so you end up showering in a bikini or naked next to a stranger doing the same. The bathroom doors don't lock, so you have to hold them shut with your foot. The nearby bar was loud too. We tried to cancel after the first night but were told the seven-day policy wouldn't allow it. After pushing, we eventually managed to get out of the policy. Stay somewhere else.

Downtown Hostel's location is hard to beat, right in the old town, and I paid a very good price to be so close to everything. There was a nice mix of ages and nationalities, with a bit of mingling on the lovely balcony over food and drinks. It's a chilled hostel, and the beds were clean and super comfortable. The small dorms helped keep things quiet. There are plenty of things that need attention. The place is easy to miss, and without a fob it can be tricky to get in when staff aren't at reception. It could use some updating: the bed frames are basic, nearly all the doors stick, hot water is limited, the toilet doors don't lock, and the showers need a refurb. The shutters in my room were broken, so street noise and light came pouring in. The little kitchen area is very basic and not especially well equipped. I could stay again if I had to, but I'd look elsewhere first.

I love this hostel. It's right in the city center and very clean, with an inviting balcony, a towel included, and a kitchen stocked with everything you might need. The staff are extremely friendly. I'd highly recommend it to everyone 😍