Mazurska 8a

The decor and cleanliness were excellent, and the place felt cozy, with even a Christmas atmosphere. On arrival, the second-floor bathroom was very clean, and there was plenty of toilet paper. Still, I’d only stay in the room for one night at most. The radiator on the fifth floor wasn’t very warm, and the duvets were too thin for winter. Cooking smells from the kitchen and cigarette smells from roommates were suffocating. The key box was locked with other keys, which made me uneasy about whether others might have access to the room. The walls were thin, and I could hear bottles being dropped.

We were fine with everything else, but the room was cold. The double room had just one little towel and an extra blanket that was more like a bedspread. Luckily, we'd brought our own.

The owner never replied when we asked him to turn the heat up. The radiators were only lukewarm, and the bathroom didn't have one at all. Cold air also came through the large window.

The rooftop terrace is tiny and has a real movie-scene coziness to it, and there's a big shared kitchen too. Mazurska 8 Hostel has a vintage, slightly artsy character that feels hard to come by now. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and 160 PLN for a double room seemed almost suspiciously low. The relaxed owner adds to the atmosphere without making a big show of it. For me, “cheap and good” finally fits. I'd recommend it if you want somewhere with character and no plastic feel.