-
Whoa I almost stayed at Hans Brinker Budget Hotel while visiting a friend...who happens to live right across from it! Glad another friend recommended me this other place called Sarphati Hostel(click to read my review of it).
Showing posts with label international hostel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label international hostel. Show all posts
1/3/14
They kicked out the philosopher junkie (SAN FRANCISCO)
-
He was one of those guys who never left the classroom. Waxing high-brow on counter-culture ideals and abstract notions ad nauseam is his signature brand of conversation which, it should come as no surprise, makes him very bad at socializing. This, in effect, only further convinces him of his intellectual superiority; not that he would ever so blatantly admit it -- even to self. If I know one thing about such people it is this: for all their shininess they are as worthless as a wooden nickel.
"They're really smart people. They have an invaluable insight to share," he insisted. "They're lonely. They just want somebody to talk to." "Other than themselves?" I said. Undaunted, he laughed it off. "I always stop and talk to them...I like talking to them. They're people, too. It enriches my life." I wasn't buying it. "They have people to hear them out," I said. "Counselors, social workers, their dealer, each other. For me to stop and talk to them would be to piss away my time. But," I conceded, "don't let me stop you. Knock yourself out." I've met these Good Samaritans before. His sermon outpaces his conduct.
Then it happened that he came up short on his bill. He came up short on his bill because he had no more money. He had no more money because he spent it liberally on drugs. And he had no one to turn to because he'd burned his bridges with friends and family owing to the habit of spending liberally on drugs and routinely coming up short. The hostel was a big place with many social spaces and nooks and corners. The darkest of these was the movie room replete with large wall-mounted flat screen monitors and rows of cinema chairs. Without a legitimate claim to a bed the perpetual philosopher cum addict had taken to hiding out in the movie room and conveniently "dozing off." But the curtain came down on him on New Year's Day. On the afternoon of January 1st I happened to cross the passage just as the manager and another member of staff marched him out of the cinema and up the hall. The manager was pissed. "Take whatever you have in the refrigerator and get out!"
The look on the boy's face was sad. I turned away to spare him further embarrassment.
Have you ever experienced a deadbeat or brawl in a hostel/hotel?
He was one of those guys who never left the classroom. Waxing high-brow on counter-culture ideals and abstract notions ad nauseam is his signature brand of conversation which, it should come as no surprise, makes him very bad at socializing. This, in effect, only further convinces him of his intellectual superiority; not that he would ever so blatantly admit it -- even to self. If I know one thing about such people it is this: for all their shininess they are as worthless as a wooden nickel.
An intelligent individualist such as he merited the socially maligned narcotics of marijuana and ecstasy and LSDWe met in a hostel in San Francisco over the Christmas and New Years holidays. He was playing video games on his laptop and drinking. (Turns out, he was always getting high and playing computer games against his virtual friends.) And as it was San Francisco, intoxicants weren't limited to drink. Oh no. An intelligent individualist such as he merited the socially maligned narcotics of marijuana and zoinking drugs like ecstasy and LSD -- at the very least. He said stuff like: We don't need government; All recreational drugs should be legalized and taxed and regulated (the contradiction painfully lost on him); America should be more like (INSERT ENEMY COUNTRY); et cetera. One evening he was congratulating himself on socializing with the homeless junkies and weirdos who roam all over downtown San Francisco like zombie extras in a horror film.
Then it happened that he came up short on his bill. He came up short on his bill because he had no more money. He had no more money because he spent it liberally on drugs. And he had no one to turn to because he'd burned his bridges with friends and family owing to the habit of spending liberally on drugs and routinely coming up short. The hostel was a big place with many social spaces and nooks and corners. The darkest of these was the movie room replete with large wall-mounted flat screen monitors and rows of cinema chairs. Without a legitimate claim to a bed the perpetual philosopher cum addict had taken to hiding out in the movie room and conveniently "dozing off." But the curtain came down on him on New Year's Day. On the afternoon of January 1st I happened to cross the passage just as the manager and another member of staff marched him out of the cinema and up the hall. The manager was pissed. "Take whatever you have in the refrigerator and get out!"
The look on the boy's face was sad. I turned away to spare him further embarrassment.
I've met these Good Samaritans before. His sermon outpaces his conductBut inwardly I was chuckling. Not because of his shame in being given the boot nor from any personal dislike of the man, per se. No, what struck me as wickedly hilarious was the fact that he was forced to practice what he preached. Now he would have all the livelong day and night to chat with his fellow homeless junkie brethren. Irony is a bitter dish to swallow.
Have you ever experienced a deadbeat or brawl in a hostel/hotel?
9/23/13
Oasis Hostel revisited
-
Previously I wrote about the managerial change at Oasis Hostel and how that change wasn't for the better. Specifically: son takes over the family business from the father and, with that, came a stark attitudinal adjustment -- and it took us regular guests by surprise.
Well. I last revisited Oasis Hostel in June and it seems the chip that was on sonny boy's shoulder to "prove himself" is there no more. I'd been through there once before, between now and then, and we had since gotten back on the 'good foot' albeit more polite than friendly, which is nothing to sneeze at. Politeness is a scarce attribute amongst modern folk.
But with my stay this summer I found nothing but good vibes. I had booked a bed for only a couple of nights as I was finally leaving Pto Vallarta for Guadalajara and glad that it was a good good-bye, if you know what a I mean. As a result of that stay at Oasis I learned about The Blue Pepper Hostel and confirmed it as my next destination.
Read about the Blue Pepper in next week's post.
Previously I wrote about the managerial change at Oasis Hostel and how that change wasn't for the better. Specifically: son takes over the family business from the father and, with that, came a stark attitudinal adjustment -- and it took us regular guests by surprise.
Well. I last revisited Oasis Hostel in June and it seems the chip that was on sonny boy's shoulder to "prove himself" is there no more. I'd been through there once before, between now and then, and we had since gotten back on the 'good foot' albeit more polite than friendly, which is nothing to sneeze at. Politeness is a scarce attribute amongst modern folk.
But with my stay this summer I found nothing but good vibes. I had booked a bed for only a couple of nights as I was finally leaving Pto Vallarta for Guadalajara and glad that it was a good good-bye, if you know what a I mean. As a result of that stay at Oasis I learned about The Blue Pepper Hostel and confirmed it as my next destination.
Read about the Blue Pepper in next week's post.
9/11/13
7/21/13
USA Hostels (San Francisco)
-
Now here's a spot to choose when staying in San Francisco! USA Hostel San Francisco is a super clean hostel with a good amount of bath facilities (some are separated e.g., showers from toilets), social space and friendly and organized staff. No attitudes did I encounter. During my stay the lobby and corridors were getting a minor make-over so it should look even nicer now.
It is obvious that care went into structuring the basement to accommodate people traffic as well as encourage socializing. Certainly folks were on their laptops (FREE wifi) - myself included - but a majority were not at any given point. Guests were actually talking and laughing with one another -- like in the olden days when man rode horses and carried six-shooters and women, dresses.
There is a nice pool table on one side of the room and foosball on the other; a general eating area on one half of the room and the bar, opposite; a movie room with cinema-esque seating, laundry room and, get this, a reading room. The hostel has a quiet corner for reading...that is so thoughtful!
As for the dorm rooms, a private reading lamp (honestly, it doesn't disturb the other people in the room) is installed above the headrest along with a tiny shelf and two working power outlets. I slept wonderfully. When the room became a bit stuffy, as is wont to happen, we cracked open the window, which led to a shaft and the brick wall of the building next door...so no view (but also no noise), or turned on the wall fan. Right outside my room was a bathroom but inside the room we had a sink and mirror, and a closet in addition to the individual lockers (which come equipped with two working power outlets in each).
Like its sister hostel in Hollywood, an immense kitchen is stocked for public use. Unlike other places with cute but inadequate space these kitchens are made for commercial use, including more than one huge refrigerator. How professional is it? Think "Gordon Ramsey" without the asshole divo. The FREE pancake breakfast is the best spread I've ever had a hostel offer. Guests (try to) cook the pancakes themselves - I'm surprised at how many girls are downright clueless & clumsy in the kitchen! - from the loads of batter prepared by a hostel employee.
Now here's a spot to choose when staying in San Francisco! USA Hostel San Francisco is a super clean hostel with a good amount of bath facilities (some are separated e.g., showers from toilets), social space and friendly and organized staff. No attitudes did I encounter. During my stay the lobby and corridors were getting a minor make-over so it should look even nicer now.
It is obvious that care went into structuring the basement to accommodate people traffic as well as encourage socializing. Certainly folks were on their laptops (FREE wifi) - myself included - but a majority were not at any given point. Guests were actually talking and laughing with one another -- like in the olden days when man rode horses and carried six-shooters and women, dresses.
The hostel has a quiet corner for reading...that is so thoughtful!
As for the dorm rooms, a private reading lamp (honestly, it doesn't disturb the other people in the room) is installed above the headrest along with a tiny shelf and two working power outlets. I slept wonderfully. When the room became a bit stuffy, as is wont to happen, we cracked open the window, which led to a shaft and the brick wall of the building next door...so no view (but also no noise), or turned on the wall fan. Right outside my room was a bathroom but inside the room we had a sink and mirror, and a closet in addition to the individual lockers (which come equipped with two working power outlets in each).
Like its sister hostel in Hollywood, an immense kitchen is stocked for public use. Unlike other places with cute but inadequate space these kitchens are made for commercial use, including more than one huge refrigerator. How professional is it? Think "Gordon Ramsey" without the asshole divo. The FREE pancake breakfast is the best spread I've ever had a hostel offer. Guests (try to) cook the pancakes themselves - I'm surprised at how many girls are downright clueless & clumsy in the kitchen! - from the loads of batter prepared by a hostel employee.
7/16/13
4th of July B-B-Q in Hollywood
-
Fourth of July bar-b-que at USA Hostels Hollywood was no token picnic. The owners pulled out all the stops. There were plenty of burgers, hot dogs, and chicken kebabs on the grill; watermelon and plums, salads, pop, potato chips, and - oh yeah - apple pies! Plural. I went out and bought some vanilla ice cream to make mine a la mode. Hello!
After a tiring day of experiencing hot sunshine, fake tans, and bodybuilding at Muscle Beach I made sure to fill my belly. Had seconds. Had thirds. I loves to eat!
This was, hands down, the BEST spread I ever enjoyed at a hostel. It was bigger and better than I imagined it would be. Big ups to the entire staff for showing (foreign)guests how we party like its 4th of July!
Fourth of July bar-b-que at USA Hostels Hollywood was no token picnic. The owners pulled out all the stops. There were plenty of burgers, hot dogs, and chicken kebabs on the grill; watermelon and plums, salads, pop, potato chips, and - oh yeah - apple pies! Plural. I went out and bought some vanilla ice cream to make mine a la mode. Hello!
After a tiring day of experiencing hot sunshine, fake tans, and bodybuilding at Muscle Beach I made sure to fill my belly. Had seconds. Had thirds. I loves to eat!
This was, hands down, the BEST spread I ever enjoyed at a hostel. It was bigger and better than I imagined it would be. Big ups to the entire staff for showing (foreign)guests how we party like its 4th of July!
5/30/13
USA Hostels - Hollywood (California)
Barring the lackluster name, which sounds a lot like a cash-grab operated by an unimaginative foreigner, USA Hostels are a very, very good stay -- and very creative, too. There are three locations in California - Hollywood, San Francisco, San Diego - and I hope there will be others in the future.
USA Hostels - Hollywood is two blocks from Hollywood Blvd near the old post office. The website listed Hollywood/Highland metro stop (red line) but I tried it and strongly suggest if you are coming via the subway to get off at Hollywood/Vine instead. I feel it is closer and, owing to less sidewalk congestion, more convenient to walk with luggage. I heard about this hostel from an Aussie tourist who slept in the same room as me at H.I.-Santa Monica. So glad I did.
The company has an easy booking system and accept cash payments without charging a fee to your card. Unfortunately, they accept no bookings without a money card. While it is an outstanding hostel I find this antagonism towards hard currency off-putting. Some people have bad credit history but for some people it is a matter of cultural or religious beliefs that respect actual money over plastic.
if you are coming via the subway get off at Hollywood/Vine...it is closer and, owing to less sidewalk congestion, more convenient to walk with luggageThe Reception know their stuff and are organized and happy about it -- the way it should be. A worker collects you from Reception and shows you to your room following a quick tour (Here is the kitchen...laundry room...lounge,etc) of the place. Each bed is equipped with a personal reading light and two power outlets plus the lockers inside the rooms have an additional two power outlets inside them. This set-up is great for safely charging, say, a laptop while you're away. So absolutely considerate!
I slept in the shared room next door to the lounge/bar but the noise was not so bad. (At any rate, like any self-respecting establishment, less attractive rooms cost less; being right next to the hang-out room is understandably undesirable...ergo, USA Hostels charges about three dollars less for this room. Can't beat it!) As for the lounge/bar it lives up to its name: comfortable sofas, flat screen TVs, board games, books, cheap booze and, yes, it was always full of guests having a good time. While I was there there was even a late night show of local stand-up comedians. You might think tourists would be drawn to 'live it up' in Hollywood but, I gotta say, most of the guests must've been distracted by the fun they were already having.one of the best features of USA Hostels is the FREE pancake breakfastsBut one of the best features of USA Hostels is the FREE pancake breakfasts (and large commercial kitchen)! Not some cheap ass bagels and shit coffee but loads of already prepared pancake batter, which you cook yourself, w/syrup...plus, coffee, tea, fruit juice, fresh fruits and toast. There is FREE wifi but no free computer consoles; however guests are allowed to get online for the purposes of printing out boarding tickets and such.
1624 Shrader Blvd, Los Angeles 90028
323.462.3777
website
5/27/13
H.I. Hostel (Santa Monica)
-
Hostelling International Santa Monica (H.I.) is what you'd expect of it: professional, organized, clean comfortable and centrally located -- and easy to spot. With its worldwide locations it is a good and safe bet for its members (and others; but non-members are charged $3 per reservation...so if one extends his stay that equals another $3).
One of the nights in the hostel cost $53 -- for a dorm room! Fifty dollars for sleeping in a room with some eight other people for one night is a lot of money. It definitely is not a "hostel" price. Location, location, location is the real estate mantra but if the lease is costing an arm and a leg then maybe a travel hostel has no business being on, say, Rodeo Drive just so they can advertise "convenience to superfluous shopping!" In this respect, Hosteling International is a victim of its own success. I guess providing shared rooms keeps it in the hostel category but, like I said, the price does not.
More, the wifi and breakfast sucked. The wifi connection was spotty and always down. As for the breakfast, I don't wish to be crude about it but with the capital of this organization they seriously need to ditch the '70s era concept of considering free coffee, toast and cereal counts as "free breakfast". That's not an offer. That's an insult. If you toss me a Tic-Tac first thing in the morning, technically that's breakfast too. At $53 I'm looking for bacon. Hello!
Hostelling International Santa Monica (H.I.) is what you'd expect of it: professional, organized, clean comfortable and centrally located -- and easy to spot. With its worldwide locations it is a good and safe bet for its members (and others; but non-members are charged $3 per reservation...so if one extends his stay that equals another $3).
considering coffee, toast and cereal as "free breakfast" is not an offer, it's an insultIt lacks noting in comfort or niceness. Since H.I. is in Santa Monica its draw is a foregone conclusion: you're at the beach, bitch! An easy walk to the iconic Santa Monica Pier with the Ferris Wheel or stroll a stone's throw away to visit the original Muscle Beach where one can check out Crossfit zealots and gymnasts showing off and doing awesome things on the traveling rings. The water looks tempting but is frightfully cold and unbearable without a wet suit. Consider yourself warned. (A bit farther down is Venice where you can see more bodybuilders and circus rejects and surfers.) Also near the hostel is the popular Third Street Promenade, a stretch of retailers and restaurants, including an Apple store, H&M, cinema, Johnny Rocket, etc along - you guessed it - Third Street.
One of the nights in the hostel cost $53 -- for a dorm room! Fifty dollars for sleeping in a room with some eight other people for one night is a lot of money. It definitely is not a "hostel" price. Location, location, location is the real estate mantra but if the lease is costing an arm and a leg then maybe a travel hostel has no business being on, say, Rodeo Drive just so they can advertise "convenience to superfluous shopping!" In this respect, Hosteling International is a victim of its own success. I guess providing shared rooms keeps it in the hostel category but, like I said, the price does not.
More, the wifi and breakfast sucked. The wifi connection was spotty and always down. As for the breakfast, I don't wish to be crude about it but with the capital of this organization they seriously need to ditch the '70s era concept of considering free coffee, toast and cereal counts as "free breakfast". That's not an offer. That's an insult. If you toss me a Tic-Tac first thing in the morning, technically that's breakfast too. At $53 I'm looking for bacon. Hello!
see the Ferris Wheel?
2/23/13
Barbieri International Hostel (Madrid)
-
Conveniently enough, Barbieri Hostel is located on Calle Barbieri in the Chueca neighborhood smack between metro stops Gran Via and Chueca with the latter being slightly closer. Thankfully a working elevator can take you - and your big ass suitcases - to its 2nd floor landing where there is 24hr reception. The male Reception were very helpful, polite and spoke English.
Per habit, I took a bed in a dorm room. Not only is linen included but the cleaning lady - surprise! - makes your bed while you're away and, unlike, many youth hostels, does not take all day or inconvenience you while cleaning the hostel. A nice, decent breakfast is offered for free. There is one public computer in addition to FREE wi-fi. Although Barbieri is a small hostel it does have a well stocked communal kitchen, comfortable commons lounge (with a good DVD library) and two gender specific bathrooms/showers.
I was so comfortable at Barbieri I eventually extended my stay -- twice.
PS: There is also Barbieri Sol (Madrid) and a new location in Granada.
C/ Barbieri #15
booking@barbierihostel.com
Conveniently enough, Barbieri Hostel is located on Calle Barbieri in the Chueca neighborhood smack between metro stops Gran Via and Chueca with the latter being slightly closer. Thankfully a working elevator can take you - and your big ass suitcases - to its 2nd floor landing where there is 24hr reception. The male Reception were very helpful, polite and spoke English.
Per habit, I took a bed in a dorm room. Not only is linen included but the cleaning lady - surprise! - makes your bed while you're away and, unlike, many youth hostels, does not take all day or inconvenience you while cleaning the hostel. A nice, decent breakfast is offered for free. There is one public computer in addition to FREE wi-fi. Although Barbieri is a small hostel it does have a well stocked communal kitchen, comfortable commons lounge (with a good DVD library) and two gender specific bathrooms/showers.
I was so comfortable at Barbieri I eventually extended my stay -- twice.
PS: There is also Barbieri Sol (Madrid) and a new location in Granada.
C/ Barbieri #15
booking@barbierihostel.com
12/18/12
Sunflower Hostel (Berlin)
-
A hippyish hostel reminiscent of burgeoning internationalism in the immediate wake of the Berlin Wall osmosis. But, then again, "dated" has its appeal. Sunflower Hostel lies on a long stretch of residential street that is otherwise empty. It is pretty much a stone's throw from the Warshauer train station (near the O2 Stadium) and you know you've arrived when you spot the giant metal sunflower blooming from the front of the building. Inside, an eclectic - or typically Berlin - decor of psychedelic murals and plush toys epoxied to all sides of walls; purple cows hang from the ceiling! Staff are tight-knit and, oh what's the word, organic. You know, caravan clothes probably fashioned from hemp, Rastafarian dreadlocks, tattoos, females with unshaven armpits and, very probably protest nuclear energy on their off days. But nice. Male employees were nicer than their female counterparts.
The hostel offers wi-fi, bed linen, a huge luggage storage - all FREE! - a licensed bar and coin laundry. The all-you-can-eat breakfast for 3 euros is worth taking advantage of; a buffet of fresh seasonal fruits (apples, plums, pears, etc) salami, cheese, rolls, cereal and milk, tea and coffee.
I'm definitely not of the hippy mold but Sunflower Hostel is still groovy by me.
A hippyish hostel reminiscent of burgeoning internationalism in the immediate wake of the Berlin Wall osmosis. But, then again, "dated" has its appeal. Sunflower Hostel lies on a long stretch of residential street that is otherwise empty. It is pretty much a stone's throw from the Warshauer train station (near the O2 Stadium) and you know you've arrived when you spot the giant metal sunflower blooming from the front of the building. Inside, an eclectic - or typically Berlin - decor of psychedelic murals and plush toys epoxied to all sides of walls; purple cows hang from the ceiling! Staff are tight-knit and, oh what's the word, organic. You know, caravan clothes probably fashioned from hemp, Rastafarian dreadlocks, tattoos, females with unshaven armpits and, very probably protest nuclear energy on their off days. But nice. Male employees were nicer than their female counterparts.
arrogant French couple inconsiderately commenced copulatingI frequently stay here owing to their low - and upfront - rates, comfortable surroundings and, at the risk of sounding corny, memorable short-term friendships. One winter I lodged as a long-term guest in a shared room of 8 beds. Luckily the roommates were sociable and pleasant which made the stay not an insufferable or trying experience -- except for the time this arrogant French couple inconsiderately commenced copulating and had the gall to hate us for being disturbed by it. Frogs! Otherwise it was all civilized and sunflowery.
I'm definitely not of the hippy mold but Sunflower Hostel is still groovy by me.
Sunflower Hostel Berlin
Helsingforser Str. 17
10243 Berlin
Helsingforser Str. 17
10243 Berlin
E-Mail: hostel(at)sunflower-hostel.de
Tel: +49 – (0)30 – 440 44 250
12/6/12
Art Roch Hostel (Edinburgh)
-
Located on the Grassmarket (West Port Street, to be exact) beneath the grand, imposing Edinburgh Castle, Art Roch Hostel is a converted old Salvation Army barracks with three floors, a cool upper Rec room, an outdoor smoking patio - because everybody in Europe smokes! - and long-term guests who couldn't be farther from salvation if they died and went straight to Hell. I have never met so many socially inept people under one roof -- and I've been inside a penitentiary and mental hospital!
In particular there was one Portuguese jerk who put the looey in LOSER. Everybody hated this fat, friendless turd. But this much can be said of the hostel: it offers great rates, colorful characters, and not a dull moment. Plus there is an old school video game in the lobby (see pic). I got addicted to playing Burger Time.
PS: It is also supposedly owned by the fifth wealthiest Scotsman, Malcolm Scott, a useless point of trivia the long-term guests never failed to impart like Scott was their drinking buddy.
PPS: Considering Powers was threatened and given 24hrs to vacate the premises by the head janitor - in other words, thrown out...by the ugly janitor - I regard the following news updates with a pinch of schadenfreude. Oh yes, y'all, my German is improving....
Located on the Grassmarket (West Port Street, to be exact) beneath the grand, imposing Edinburgh Castle, Art Roch Hostel is a converted old Salvation Army barracks with three floors, a cool upper Rec room, an outdoor smoking patio - because everybody in Europe smokes! - and long-term guests who couldn't be farther from salvation if they died and went straight to Hell. I have never met so many socially inept people under one roof -- and I've been inside a penitentiary and mental hospital!
a jerk who put the looey in LOSER
PS: It is also supposedly owned by the fifth wealthiest Scotsman, Malcolm Scott, a useless point of trivia the long-term guests never failed to impart like Scott was their drinking buddy.
PPS: Considering Powers was threatened and given 24hrs to vacate the premises by the head janitor - in other words, thrown out...by the ugly janitor - I regard the following news updates with a pinch of schadenfreude. Oh yes, y'all, my German is improving....
- http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2012/07/24/backpackers-are-being-ordered-to-leave-hostel/
- http://www.ehap.org.uk/about-ehap/news/hostel-sit-in.aspx
 |
| some of my old buddies...and the fat turd |
8/16/12
If boys are boys, what are girls?
-
The one obnoxious episode in bunking at Sarphati Hostel involved some girls.
Dumb, punch-drunk girls...from England for what it's worth. (Certainly not the type whose parentage ever fretted over "presenting" them to society.) I believe the local word for them is...twats?
Read more: A Muckraker Other: The infallibility of women in Christian society
The one obnoxious episode in bunking at Sarphati Hostel involved some girls.
Dumb, punch-drunk girls...from England for what it's worth. (Certainly not the type whose parentage ever fretted over "presenting" them to society.) I believe the local word for them is...twats?
Read more: A Muckraker Other: The infallibility of women in Christian society
4/24/12
Drunk Irish? You're kidding!
-
I thought I would like to visit Dublin, Ireland, sometime but since being in Scotland I've gotten a firsthand experience of the Irish who visit in droves every weekend -- and, man, am I glad for it; the weekend visits, that is. It's saved me a bundle of money, effort, and nerves if I'd otherwise made the mistake of travelling there!
Generalization, my ass: the Irish very much live up to the stereotype of being drunk, loud, crass, drunk, rude, prone to fights, and drunk! I can't stand when they come to town. The hostel is always less peaceful and the community kitchen, chaotic. Don't even get me started on the bathrooms in the wake of these visitors!
I thought I would like to visit Dublin, Ireland, sometime but since being in Scotland I've gotten a firsthand experience of the Irish who visit in droves every weekend -- and, man, am I glad for it; the weekend visits, that is. It's saved me a bundle of money, effort, and nerves if I'd otherwise made the mistake of travelling there!
Generalization, my ass: the Irish very much live up to the stereotype of being drunk, loud, crass, drunk, rude, prone to fights, and drunk! I can't stand when they come to town. The hostel is always less peaceful and the community kitchen, chaotic. Don't even get me started on the bathrooms in the wake of these visitors!
2/26/12
Dover Castle Hostel (London)
-
While in London I stayed at Dover Castle Hostel. It was the first one I found and I was able to buy a bed on a walk-in; and they offer good weekly rates…so I stayed. After three weeks in town – I didn’t plan on sticking around that long! – I really wanted to move to another place but was unsuccessful. Couchsurfing is a bust (good luck trying to secure a host in London!); Hostel 369 et al. (there are three of them) is simply a money-maker run by people who couldn’t care less about running a comfortable hostel – and who don’t even answer their own phone line – and St Christopher’s Inn is way too corporate and accepts only guests with bank cards. I’ve already written about them here.
one of the first hostels where I’ve not found a place within to read and write…and very, very stingy lighting
Dover Castle is a nice enough hostel with free wi-fi, comfortable beds, clean facilities, hot showers. The staff is friendly and helpful. Its operation is organized and professional and the building is a mere block away from the Borough tube station (walking across the street in direction of the backside of the nearby church). A lot of French people work here (but they are friendlier than the French people you might encounter in France); and there are even two black men on staff! On the ground floor is a real pub, meaning it’s open to the public, and guests receive one free welcome soft drink.
A big minus to Dover Castle is its tiny Commons Area which also serves as the kitchen. Rather than use a room for T.V. and lounging separate from cooking and eating the hostel prefers to squeeze in as many beds as possible thereby making more money.
The television is never loud enough to hear but this perhaps owes more to the group of Italian and Spanish guests who insist on having the television on regardless of watching it and downright prefer to shout over it rather than turn down the volume or simply off. Go figure. Dover Castle is one of the first hostels where I’ve not found a place within to read and write…there are no study or dining tables (only two coffee tables) and very, very stingy lighting. The sister hostel, The Cricketer, is one tube station away and is even worse.
Dover Castle has good weekly rates
For long-term lodgings - it also has good weekly rates - The Cricketer serves the most basic purposes – bed and linen, hot water, lockable doors – of having a cheap place to live while working or looking for work in the City which is good; but the long-term lodgers seem… shall we say, unhappy and unmotivated. I find its atmosphere depressing. Cold and depressing. Who wants to be around that?
Cheers!
2/13/12
St Christopher's Inns doesn't take cash payments (London)
-
Sell out. That's one of the better ways to label the hostel franchise St Christopher's Inns. You know how laughable it is for Jennifer Lopez to claim she's still down-to-earth Jenny from the block? Switch the celebrity for a brick-and-mortar business and you get my drift.
I've stayed in St. Christopher's Inns in, both, Berlin and Paris and never incurred a problem buying a bed if there was vacancy. But such was not the case in London. Unlike most stupid young people I don't use credit cards. I pay for everything in cash and upfront because - guess what - much of the world commerce still does use hard currency.
Sell out. That's one of the better ways to label the hostel franchise St Christopher's Inns. You know how laughable it is for Jennifer Lopez to claim she's still down-to-earth Jenny from the block? Switch the celebrity for a brick-and-mortar business and you get my drift.
I've stayed in St. Christopher's Inns in, both, Berlin and Paris and never incurred a problem buying a bed if there was vacancy. But such was not the case in London. Unlike most stupid young people I don't use credit cards. I pay for everything in cash and upfront because - guess what - much of the world commerce still does use hard currency.
this policy of London St. Christopher's Inns is not at all in the spirit of youth hostels
I walked over to The Village, one of the hostels on High Borough Street, to book a bed for the week and asked if they had a weekly special rate. They had but.... I found it very odd that the reception could not take my booking then and there; she gave me a card and informed me to call the booking office. I did. But the telephone rep wouldn't make a reservation unless I had a bank card of some sort. Really?! Wow, let's complicate life by making the simple complicated! What did hotels ever do before the invention of call centers and invisible money (credit)?
to turn away my business just because I was equipped to pay cash is amazing
This particular policy of London St. Christopher's Inns is very short-sighted and not at all in the spirit of youth hostels. That the hostel would turn away my business just because I was equipped to pay cash is amazing -- and stupid.
Thankfully, London is a big, big city with plenty of other budget hotels who, unlike this corporate-minded establishment, gladly accept credit cards AND cash. In the meantime I'll write a complaint letter to the appropriate gov't bodies to see if this practice is even legal.
12/20/11
YMCA Hostel Basel (Switzerland)
-
When I passed through Switzerland earlier this month I stayed at the YMCA in Basel because my friends were out of town. I like visiting Basel. It's a nice Swiss city that's very much bustling with fine arts cultural stuff, shopping, and borders with Germany and France. It's easy to navigate around town on the tram.
reaching it from the main train station SBB is thankfully easy because it is so damn near. Oddly, it doesn't have the iconic big, red Y on the rooftop...which, I think, is like a beacon to newcomers. Still the YMCA Basel is a straight shot from the back entrance of the train station; entire walk amounts to probably three normal blocks. I booked a bed on a walk-in.
"Do you have a reservation?" asked the boy behind the counter. "No," I replied, "but I have money." He smiled, "Oh I think that will do." I paid for two nights. Another good thing to come of my first night was finding a leather jacket on the street...especially since the weather was nippy.
The hostel is nothing short of modern and looks spanking new. Maybe it is. The place is not decked out with funky colors, garage furniture, kitch knick-knacks nailed to the walls or other backpacker/hippy/earthy rubbish. Instead the modern facilities are clean, bright, sleek, airy...nothing that feels like home or a home basement. And it's quiet. And I liked that. In the commons area/dining hall are plenty of tables and chairs and a working fireplace! Plus there are two fast public computers. Their kitchen is one of the best I've seen. It's big and plenty stocked with eating and cooking utensils along with about four refrigerators, two sinks and a microwave.
I took the elevator to my third floor dorm. The personal reading lights were too bright to be personal but everything else - mattress and bedding, individual lockers, radiator - worked fine. Would have had a nice sleep were it not for the two old geezers in the room snoring. I hate people who snore.
website
When I passed through Switzerland earlier this month I stayed at the YMCA in Basel because my friends were out of town. I like visiting Basel. It's a nice Swiss city that's very much bustling with fine arts cultural stuff, shopping, and borders with Germany and France. It's easy to navigate around town on the tram.
Oddly, it doesn't have the iconic big, red Y on the rooftopAs for the hostel:
reaching it from the main train station SBB is thankfully easy because it is so damn near. Oddly, it doesn't have the iconic big, red Y on the rooftop...which, I think, is like a beacon to newcomers. Still the YMCA Basel is a straight shot from the back entrance of the train station; entire walk amounts to probably three normal blocks. I booked a bed on a walk-in.
"Do you have a reservation?" asked the boy behind the counter. "No," I replied, "but I have money." He smiled, "Oh I think that will do." I paid for two nights. Another good thing to come of my first night was finding a leather jacket on the street...especially since the weather was nippy.
The hostel is nothing short of modern and looks spanking new. Maybe it is. The place is not decked out with funky colors, garage furniture, kitch knick-knacks nailed to the walls or other backpacker/hippy/earthy rubbish. Instead the modern facilities are clean, bright, sleek, airy...nothing that feels like home or a home basement. And it's quiet. And I liked that. In the commons area/dining hall are plenty of tables and chairs and a working fireplace! Plus there are two fast public computers. Their kitchen is one of the best I've seen. It's big and plenty stocked with eating and cooking utensils along with about four refrigerators, two sinks and a microwave.
the modern facilities are clean, bright, sleek, airy...nothing that feels like a home basement
website
12/11/11
I stayed in two hostels in Munich
-
Btw I stayed in the following hostels in Munich:
Wombat City Hostel. After being harassed by the undercover pigs in the main train station I urgently tried to find some vacancy somewhere. Bought a crisp, crunchy apple pie at McDonald's to 'legitimately' use the free wi-fi (because I couldn't get online at Burger King in the station) and made a list of nearby hostels. Quickly jotted down four, including this one.
Wombat IS super close to Munich Hbf - literally across the street - but it's poorly advertised. The outside banners don't do a good enough job of announcing Here we are! BUT there was one - one! - bed left and I was damn relieved to get it. Not bad for a near midnight walk-in. The reception was super chill and got me squared away right away. Guests receive a free beverage with check-in. I made it in just before the bar closed -- and did I ever need a drink!
The dorm room was big and comfortable. Had a good night's sleep and checked-out the following morning whereby I walked two doors down to...
Euro Youth Hotel. It was a very no-hassle check-in. A dorm bed was available, I paid cash, got my receipt and came back four hours later when the rooms were cleaned and ready - 2pm - (in the meantime I went back and chilled in a hammock in the Wombat's cool indoor garden lounge).
This hotel/hostel has a nice old-school decor - wooden banisters and wood paneled walls - which I find charming and free of the 'fabricated' feel of some backpacker or economy hotels. There is free tea in the lounge. Wi-fi gets good reception...but phone calls don't.
When I returned later that evening and headed for the bar/lounge I was stopped by, "HEY WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!" I didn't like this kind of reception from the Reception and wrote a letter to the management. Granted, there was an employee shift change and these guys didn't recognize me as a new guest but I felt the aggressiveness of their tone was 1) rude and 2) carried an undercurrent of my-kind-didn't-belong-there. The management emailed a sincere and prompt apology and promised to address the matter. I appreciate that. After the racial profiling at the main train station this whole thing of being a black American in Munich had well reached its limit. As a matter of principle I personally wouldn't elect to stay in Euro Youth Hotel again - because I wouldn't like to revisit Munich outside of business - but its facilities were fine, modern, and clean and affordable.
Btw I stayed in the following hostels in Munich:
Wombat IS super close to Munich Hbf - literally across the street - but it's poorly advertised. The outside banners don't do a good enough job of announcing Here we are! BUT there was one - one! - bed left and I was damn relieved to get it. Not bad for a near midnight walk-in. The reception was super chill and got me squared away right away. Guests receive a free beverage with check-in. I made it in just before the bar closed -- and did I ever need a drink!
This hotel/hostel has a nice old-school decor - wooden banisters and wood paneled walls - which I find charming and free of the 'fabricated' feel of some backpacker or economy hotels. There is free tea in the lounge. Wi-fi gets good reception...but phone calls don't.
When I returned later that evening and headed for the bar/lounge I was stopped by, "HEY WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!" I didn't like this kind of reception from the Reception and wrote a letter to the management. Granted, there was an employee shift change and these guys didn't recognize me as a new guest but I felt the aggressiveness of their tone was 1) rude and 2) carried an undercurrent of my-kind-didn't-belong-there. The management emailed a sincere and prompt apology and promised to address the matter. I appreciate that. After the racial profiling at the main train station this whole thing of being a black American in Munich had well reached its limit. As a matter of principle I personally wouldn't elect to stay in Euro Youth Hotel again - because I wouldn't like to revisit Munich outside of business - but its facilities were fine, modern, and clean and affordable.
11/23/11
St Christopher's Inn - Paris
-
Stayed at St Christopher's Inn this last trip in Paris. I'd just left Berlin and slept at the St Christopher's Inn in Mitte, and really enjoyed their operation so...I looked them up when I hit France.
My first night was a bust: rainy, chilly, and zero vacancy. Arrgh! So I went and bought a locker in a sauna and spent the night inside warm, relaxed, and very, very clean....
Now back to the hostel: I slept in a 12-bed dorm room BUT it was a seriously spacious room and didn't feel cramp at all. My bed was comfortable and came with a reading light, two power outlets and a curtain for a little privacy and shutting out light. Great wi-fi connection. I ended up staying three nights.
group pic in Paris hostel
-Stayed at St Christopher's Inn this last trip in Paris. I'd just left Berlin and slept at the St Christopher's Inn in Mitte, and really enjoyed their operation so...I looked them up when I hit France.
My first night was a bust: rainy, chilly, and zero vacancy. Arrgh! So I went and bought a locker in a sauna and spent the night inside warm, relaxed, and very, very clean....
Now back to the hostel: I slept in a 12-bed dorm room BUT it was a seriously spacious room and didn't feel cramp at all. My bed was comfortable and came with a reading light, two power outlets and a curtain for a little privacy and shutting out light. Great wi-fi connection. I ended up staying three nights.
7/18/10
36 Rooms (Berlin - Kreuzberg)
-
36 Rooms Hostel is a cute, catchy name but I think the place has way more than thirty six rooms. The hostel is located
in the Kreuzberg section of the city, which has a hip, funky, and heavily Arabic demographic, and is about two long blocks from the Gölitzer Bahnhof metro stop (U1). But it's not hard to find.
The hostel is one of those old buildings with high ceilings, tall doors, and wood everything but the owners have fixed it up nicely with modern fixtures like contemporary lighting, bright white tiling and bathroom ware, and motion sensor lights. Most of the furniture is mix-match, adding a nice eclectic charm to compliment some of the squeaky floor boards and backpacker personalities.
I've stayed here about four times now after first coming last year. It is a really sociable hostel where people laugh and mingle. The owners/managers are the same (nice, funny guys) and so are the rates (14€ 8-bed dorm but the price is jacked up to 18€ on weekends). One very new addition, though, is the house disco underneath run by a group of foreign DJs. The place is a groovy subterranean dive with plenty of basement furniture and about four different natural lairs plus a large dance floor. The walls and ceiling are naked and, well, lower level authentic. Drink prices are reasonable but the cover, at five euros, I think is a tad steep.
One criticism of the hostel is that it obligates guests to rent bed sheets and pillow case (no refund). C'mon, if I can't use my own linen because I'm obviously not sleeping in my own bed, then don't require me to pay extra for something I can't have without the basics. Another is water buildup on the bathroom floors after guests step from the showers. It's really something. I spoke to the manager guy about this unsightly wetness -- someone forgot to install drains -- and they're looking into a couple of workable solutions, so that's a good thing.
Spreewaldplatz 8
Berlin - Kreuzberg, 10999
info@36rooms.com
info@36rooms.com
+49 (0) 30 5308 63 98
website
5/25/10
JOURNAL: OCTOBER 12, 2009
-
Oct 12
The two Indians have left [to another hostel room]. Nice fellows but that prayer music and sleeping with the lamp lighted was much; and worst of all was the freight train snoring. My sleep will be a good one tonight. No ear plugs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
