Pogo Hostel

The photos seem to be from when Pogo Hostel first opened, because it doesn't look like that now. My son and I stayed one night in July 2025, and it felt very unwelcoming. We didn't see any front staff, and the entrance was dark and dingy. A couple of times, coming in or out, it felt as if we'd interrupted a drug deal in the common area. The bathrooms and showers were awful, so bring flip-flops. Rooms facing the main street get a lot of outside noise. I wouldn't recommend staying here.

I booked ahead, but when I arrived they told me they were overbooked. There was nowhere else available at such short notice, so I had to change my plans and leave Lithuania the same day. Booking tried calling, but the hostel didn't pick up or reply to their emails. Later, while waiting for my bus, I asked if they could hold my backpack for a couple of hours so I could explore Vilnius. They refused and were unpleasant about it. The staff seemed very unprofessional. I was told there had been a “system error” with the booking, and their system is apparently a piece of paper they fill in by hand. I strongly don't recommend this place.

The WiFi didn't reach the rooms, which was a real inconvenience. Staff were meant to be available from 11:00 to 15:00, but were rarely there even then. After I moved beds, they assumed I was a stranger and took my belongings without asking. I had to explain what happened before I got them back. I also learned that a local religious community had paid the hostel to house one of its members, who had schizophrenia. This person often behaved in ways I found strange and unsettling. I felt unsafe and badly treated, and wouldn't stay again.

I've stayed at four hostels in Vilnius, and this is the best one. It's a proper backpackers' hostel, with a great location and a very safe feel. People are left to be independent, and there's usually no one at reception for much of the day. The older woman who checks rooms at checkout could be a bit kinder. She woke me up over a misunderstanding that was my fault, and was a little tough with me. Still, she helped me afterward. I really recommend the place!