Chris Hostel

This was the most disgusting hostel I’ve stayed in, and I’m never coming back. The floor was so filthy that guests ignored the sign telling them to take their shoes off inside. The hallway and room hadn’t been cleaned properly, there was hair scattered across the floor, and the sheets and covers smelled awful, like they hadn’t been washed. There was mold all over the bathroom, and it was so narrow that anyone who’s claustrophobic would find it unbearable. At 1AM, people were banging doors and making a lot of noise, while staff seemed not to care. They weren’t even around in the first place. Consider yourself warned.

I couldn’t sleep because light kept coming through the gaps under and beside the door, and there was no soundproofing. I could constantly hear the people in the next room opening and closing their door. The room itself was dim, and almost all the furniture was wobbly or partly broken. There was a small window with no curtains, looking straight at a bathroom covered in mold. Even the bathroom door was rotten and warped, and the worst thing was finding hair in a bathroom that hadn’t been cleaned. The door lock and floor heating were nice features, but I had no control over them. This was the worst accommodation experience of my life.

A heads-up for anyone checking in. I booked what I meant to be an October 1-5 holiday, but the reservation somehow ended up for September 1-5. It may have been a technical problem or something I missed. I called the hotel right away and spoke with a male staff member, who said I could cancel for free and book again, or call my agency if I couldn’t manage it myself. I appreciated that, so I contacted the agency. They spoke with the hotel and were told the booking could be canceled free of charge since it had only been about 20 minutes. The staff said the manager wasn’t there and that we’d have to wait until the next day, which the agency and I agreed to. The next day, a female staff member who said she was the manager refused to cancel or change the dates, despite the free cancellation policy and the staff knowing it was a mistake. I was told to cancel and rebook to change the dates, but then they refused to do anything at all, either change the booking or cancel it. The agency has records showing the hostel suggested and accepted a free cancellation, but now they’ve changed their position and won’t discuss it further. I find that attitude disgusting and don’t think it belongs in hospitality. I received compensation from the agency, which was better than nothing, but I don’t trust whoever the manager is. Their business doesn’t seem genuine to me. Stay away. I don’t feel safe dealing with these people.

For the price, the room felt awesome and romantic, though it was pretty small, so keep that in mind if you like a lot of space. A few things in the room could use an upgrade, including a bathroom door that stuck a bit. It’s a small hostel without a lobby or concierge, and there’s no parking or lift. We were okay carrying our big luggage up the stairs.