Lemon Tree Hostel

This hostel is an overcrowded, overbooked two-bedroom apartment. Booking listed a room with six beds, and although there were only five of us, they charged us for all six, even though there wasn't any six-bed room. One bed was occupied by another guest who had booked and paid for it, but the hostel still refused to refund us. The lockers had numbers that didn't correspond to the beds, and both locker keys and towels cost extra. Toilet paper could run out and you'd just have to hope they replaced it. The place did seem reasonably clean, and the beds were generally comfortable, but entry codes could apparently be given to anyone. I doubt the owners keep track of who is meant to be there. Rejected!

The hostel felt stuffy, the window handles had been removed, and the rooms were much too small for that many people. There wasn't room for luggage, so everyone left theirs in the middle of the room. The rooms, beds, hall and common areas were all dirty and untidy, with a strong bleach and chlorine smell. There were odd restrictions too: 15 minutes in the bathroom and just 10 minutes of hot water before they shut off the boiler. Kitchen hours were 06.30-11.00 and 15.00-22.30. The staff and manager weren't friendly or helpful. They emailed the room and bed number, then seemed not to acknowledge you. The manager stayed in a room inside the hostel, with a sign on the door saying not to knock, that they wouldn't give information, and to follow the email instructions or call the number. What did they think we were? This place can't be a hostel, maybe just a concentration camp. Definitely, definitely not recommended. No matter how cheap it is, it isn't worth the money. While cycling there, I camped in abandoned train wagons, and those were better. I think this place should be avoided at all costs.

There are two rooms with beds for 10 people, but just one shower, and its sign says 15 minutes per person, with hot water for only 8 minutes. The kitchen is dirty, and guests can't use it. I wouldn't want to eat food made in that kitchen anyway. At night the power went out, and some guests couldn't release the electronic entrance lock, so they kept knocking. The owner didn't come out, even when they knocked, so I opened the door for them. A sign on the owners' room says “Do not knock,” which makes it impossible to talk to them. I don't understand why the reviews are so high.

Ten people sleep together in one room that's much too small, with no ventilation or air conditioning. The toilet and kitchen are off limits from 11 to 15, so making lunch at a reasonable time isn't possible.