HANCHI

You’re right in the middle of the sights and attractions, which I really liked. The hostel rooms are cheap and you can book at short notice, and it’s possible to switch rooms after you arrive. The guests I met were friendly, though that’s not guaranteed. Staff English isn’t great, but you can communicate, and someone is around 24/7. The common room and cooking area are pretty nice, with indoor and outdoor places to sit. They’re useful, though not exactly clean. The rooms are fairly clean, but the bathrooms are horribly dirty, moldy, always wet, poorly cleaned, and run-down. Bring slippers. There’s no lift, just stairs. Lockers are available, but you have to buy a lock, which should really be included. A suitcase about 35-40 cm wide barely fits, while one around 65 cm high fits well, with room for a medium backpack. Breakfast is very basic, bread, spread, and an egg, served as one plate per person rather than a buffet. I didn’t use it, but it’s nice that it’s available. There are parties until late, with music, laughter, and talking going on at least until 1 AM.

I have dust mite allergies, so I definitely wouldn’t recommend this place. The bed was dirty, and bugs were crawling over my skin and biting me. My whole skin was burning.

For a very low price, it may suit people who need a cheap place to stay. The room was spacious, storage was good, breakfast was good, and the area was lively, especially in the colorful evenings. Cleanliness was poor, there was water leaking in the bathroom, and the room floor had stains. The staff weren’t very helpful, so you have to ask about everything, guess what’s included, or miss out on amenities covered by the room price. The TV didn’t work. Staff checked it and said it simply wasn’t working, and even when it does, there are only four or five Turkish channels. The kitchen is open 24 hours, but you need to bring and buy everything yourself. There isn’t even drinking water.

The hostel staff were friendly, but the bathrooms needed more regular cleaning. There are several lively restaurants near Hanchi, and the nighttime atmosphere is great, with music playing. One thing to keep in mind if you have heavy luggage: there’s no elevator, and I had to haul my suitcase all the way up to the third floor. I wish they had a place to store heavy bags on the ground floor.