VOLA Hostel

I liked how warm and welcoming the place felt, with its simple interior and plenty of daylight. Lunch was quick to arrive, and the staff were friendly and attentive. I had the Mediterranean bowl with falafel, hummus, olives, and quinoa. It was tasty and healthy, and the spices and textures went well together. Seems like a nice spot for a casual meal or to get some work done over coffee.

The location is a real plus, right by the metro, and the shared areas were clean. Staff were friendly too. My single room, though, was tiny and poorly ventilated, and sound carried badly from the neighboring rooms. The high window was the worst part: people in the next room can see in. It didn’t bother me, but I can see that being uncomfortable for others.

The only positive for me was that the room was clean. The mattresses were really bad, and the shared walls and high windows without curtains meant there was constant noise and light. There was also an unpleasant smell around the rooms with showers and washing machines, like detergent mixed with grime from the drains. Renting a towel costs 10 PLN. At midnight, a Ukrainian man opened my door and started talking, though he spoke neither Polish nor English. He was talking with someone then, and later spoke to a girl on his phone from 5 until 7 am. The lack of soundproofing made everything hard to ignore. It had the feel of a motel from American TV shows where people meet prostitutes, though I didn’t see that happening, and with so little sound insulation it doesn’t seem like a good idea.

The main drawback is how absurdly small the toilet and shower stalls are. Anyone with a plus-sized body would have a very uncomfortable time getting in and out. Otherwise, it’s a basic, clean, safe place. The kitchen has good equipment, the cleaning staff are very thorough, and the bedding and mattress were clean. I noticed no smells, which matters because I’m very sensitive to them. There’s a washer and dryer, and the nearby metro and train station make getting around easy.