All people fall into one of three categories concerning hostels. You gladly stay at them, you strictly avoid them, or you know nothing about them. Whereas I’ve only stayed in a handful of hostels, I’m not quite the hostel expert as other travelers. I do feel like I can shed some light on the subject. You win some, you lose some. There are always going to be concessions. With location, cleanliness, and price preferences, finding the ideal hostel isn’t always easy. Here are some of the hostels I’ve stayed at with my respective reviews…
Cinnamon Sally – Riga, Latvia
The Good: Extremely clean, friendly staff, free luggage storage and a surprise pancake for breakfast 🙂 Cinnamon Sally is on the 3rd floor. There are windows with views into a quiet courtyard behind the building.
The Bad: You need a key card to unlock the hostel door. We were only given one key card (for 10 people). A couple of us paid 5 Euros each for additional cards. This may or may not be a downside depending on how many people you’re traveling with.
The Ugly: The temptation to eat at McDonald’s on the first floor which I’d obviously never do on vacation.
Cinnamon Sally was my first hostel experience. Needless to say, I was impressed.
Monk’s Bunk – Tallinn, Estonia
The Good: Hands down the best bed I slept on. Also, the modern bathrooms.
The Bad: The sex shop next door.
The Ugly: Check-in is on the third (top) floor. No elevator + luggage = no bueno.
Good vibes all around. The hostel staff provided us with great food recommendations.
http://www.themonksbunk.com/party-hostel-in-tallinn/
Ånedin Hostel – Stockholm, Sweden
The Good: LOCATION. Right on the water in Old Town (Gamla Stan), Stockholm.
The Bad: No shower curtain in the small bathroom. After the first shower the floor was wet for the remainder of our stay. The rooms were cramped and dimly lit.
The Ugly: Ånedin Hostel is a boat. If you’re prone to seasickness, the rocking to sleep gig might not work so well for you.
Although no hostel is perfect, I wasn’t exactly impressed. I’d only recommend it for the location because that’s about all its got going for it.
Dan Hostel – Copenhagen, Denmark
The Good: We scored a room with a view – higher up than any place we could pay! 5 minute walk from city hall, Tivoli Gardens, and the Strøget.
The Bad: Your room key only works for your floor. So if you get off on the wrong floor, you’re stranded until someone else needs to use the elevator. #personalexperience
The Ugly: Having to pay extra for your sheets.
The Dan Hostel was similar to a hotel, but with bunk beds and hostel prices. I’d recommend it for those who want a downtown accommodation without paying downtown prices. 😉
http://www.danhostel.dk/en/hostel/danhostel-copenhagen-city
Hostel Suomenlinna – Helsinki, Finland
The Good: Suomenlinna is an island fortress. The actual hostel used to be a school house.
The Bad: Hostel staff leave early in the afternoon and they don’t return until morning.
The Ugly: The one grocery store is pricy and the island isn’t well lit after dark.
The hostel workers told us the place was haunted. There were weird vibes but that’s because the place is practically empty during the off season.
http://www.hostelhelsinki.fi/en/frontpage/
All in all, I enjoy the hostel experience in moderation.
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