Meet Gardalake Hostel

I spent four nights at this hostel. For the first night, the only available choice was an 8-bed mixed dorm; for the remaining three nights I moved to an 8-bed women’s dorm. The kitchen was the biggest letdown. It was very dirty, and the two electric cookers weren’t enough when several people wanted to prepare food. The fridge was only a drinks cooler, so it wasn’t suitable for keeping food. I often had to wash the utensils before using them. There were no food containers, foil, or plastic wrap for guests. I had to ask reception whenever I needed wrap, and the staff didn’t seem pleased about lending it. Cleaning appeared to happen only once a day, which wasn’t enough. The rubbish, especially the organic waste, could sit for days until the bin was full. That brought bad smells, flies, and ants. There were webs on the ceiling and ants on the tables too, which gave me a poor impression of the kitchen’s hygiene. Getting around from the hostel was easy: it’s near both the train station and a bus stop, so other towns were accessible. The bathrooms were inside the rooms and reasonably clean, but could feel inadequate for the number of guests sharing them. The two dorms felt quite different. The mixed room was roomy but bare and clinical, almost like a hospital, with bright white lights and no decoration. I found spider webs and spiders on the walls and ceiling, and sleeping on the top bunk was uncomfortable because of them. Its balcony was the only source of natural light, but there was no mosquito net on the door, which might be a problem in summer. The women’s dorm felt cozier with its warm lighting and curtains, and it also had a balcony. Lockers were available, though you’ll need your own padlock. I would have liked shelves inside them for organizing things. There was a small dressing area with a curtain, a thoughtful feature that would have been more useful in the mixed dorm for privacy. Both rooms had clothes hangers. The beds were okay, neither especially uncomfortable nor particularly comfortable. There wasn’t a hairdryer in the rooms, but reception could lend one. Breakfast was available for a good price, but it was very basic, mostly cereal with little else, and didn’t feel nutritious, so I didn’t think it was worth paying for. For what this hostel costs, I expected better quality overall. The lake seems to be a popular destination for German tourists. During my stay, several groups of German teenagers were there on school trips, and they could be noisy or annoying at times.

After cycling 115 miles from Milan, I was told I had to leave my $10,000 carbon-frame bicycle outside in the hostel’s back yard. I explained how expensive it was and that bike theft is common in the area, but they couldn’t come up with another option, such as a storage closet or keeping it in sight of the front desk. I couldn’t stay under those conditions, yet they refused to cancel my reservation and seemed intent on charging me even though I never stayed. I had to find a room at a local hotel instead. I’ll complain to Expedia and see what happens. Looking at the reviews now, it seems they do this to cyclists regularly. I’ll try to let Expedia and Booking know that bicycle travelers are often ripped off here.

My stay at Meet Hostel was a last-minute emergency, and being checked in late at night really saved me. The reception staff were warm and friendly, and my room was clean and newly renovated. It also had a terrace, nice for getting some air or chatting outside. My roommates and the people I met at breakfast were lovely. I ended up here by chance, but I’d recommend it if you want an affordable place and are happy to spend time around other travelers 😊.

I spent three nights here, and the hostel was lovely with a great location. The staff were really friendly. One of them took an interest in my motorcycle trip and suggested some great places to visit. I was able to park my motorcycle out front. I did miss having curtains on the beds. Also, food and drinks aren’t allowed in the rooms, so after a long day it would’ve been great to have a beer on the balcony.