Kumba Hostel — Hotel in Municipality of Chania

I've been to this place 3 or 4 years ago when Corona was active... It must have been that the lower number of guests made it easier for managment to deal with the hostel. Because now that I came back it's not what it was back then. First thing that has gone down by a lot is hygiene in general. Much more dirty than it used to be. Then also overall hospitality and service has been even that horrible that I had to shorten my trip, given that Chania was my last station. I payed for 5 nights at the spot, wasn't given an invoice, which also wasn't typed when I paid. I was traveling the whole day and was looking forward to some rest at night... The AC was on THE WHOLE NIGHT on 23° in a small 6 beds room. And the remote was nowhere to be found. I didn't get a blanket nor was I informed where they kept it. So I had to push through the cold and cover myself with what I had. Since this wasn't enough I got up multiple times during the night trying to find both the blanket and the remote in an empty hostel. The AC was left on up until the next morning when I woke up and found the staff, which didn't let us have the remote even then, only to turn the AC off and give it back to them.... The daytime was no better than night, since I tried to get some rest again, in the afternoon, and couldn't since there was actual yelling and loud music in the corridor the WHOLE afternoon.

At this point, my head was exploding, I developed a cough from the last night, and I was absolutely exhausted and distressed.

I bought a plane ticket for the early return the next night and asked for a refund at least for the days that I had to shorten my trip for.

The owner was EX TRE ME LY rude, and ended up giving me 30e back, which is as she says, for 2 nights out of 5 that I paid for, but without taxes, as she says.

I asked her which taxes, since they didn't type the invoice for me, to which she ordered the worker to type the invoice on the spot. Which obviously is typing the invoice two days after my payment only because she was scared I would call the inspection. Still illegal. And she still continued with extreme rudeness.

Apart from not coming back ever again and telling all my travel buddies about avoiding this place, I also promised her a sincere Google review, so...

Quick check in. A pleasant enough place in a prime Chania location close to a supermarket, pharmacy and restaurants. They’ve gone to some trouble to maintain the historic character of the old mansion which houses the hostel.

Was assigned an upper bunk. Difficult to climb into. Each mattress is in a cell, a pod. The mattress wasn’t particularly comfortable and came with a mattress protector, a folded sheet and pillow a/pillowcase. The sheet was meant to be placed over the mattress, but I used it to cover up with since a second sheet was not provided. The pod has, thoughtfully, an electrical outlet and a light (which is blinding) and a window shade-like contraption at the opening to provide privacy. However that window shade has the effect of sealing off the pod so that no air (or air conditioning) gets in and the pod becomes a humid oven. This situation wasn’t helped by the fact that one of my roommates must have taken the AC remote into his or her bunk and turned it down in the middle of the night. Consequently I woke up in a pool of sweat and it was only when I found a remote for another unit in the lobby that I was able to turn the fan up again and sleep. In the morning, the room AC remote miraculously reappeared. I would suggest to management that the remote be chained or otherwise attached to the wall so as ti prevent this type of monopolization. There is a small locking drawer for each bunk but the room has absolutely no real space for even small travel bags or other luggage. Perhaps the room should have been designed for four beds instead of six and the extra space structured for luggage space. Finally, it would have been nice to at least have a small stool in the room or something to sit on while putting on...

WOW… I have stayed in over three hundred hostels around the world & there have only been two that have more locals around than foreigners and this was one of them. It’s a hub for young locals to come for a coffee or a drink in the evening to chat & play games its such a great atmosphere.

The team here are super from the owner Marianna to the reception they make sure that you have the best possible experience always with a smile.

ROOMS I stayed in a six-bed dorm with pod rooms for extra privacy. The room was spacious with an en-suite bathroom & shower. The pod themselves have a curtain for even more privacy, an electrical outlet and an interior light. The beds are super comfy & of course, the air-conditioning helps a lot.

COMMON AREAS This is where this hostel truly has the edge over most other hostels on the island. The hostel is set in an old mansion with ample outdoor space with interesting seating areas, the interior is Africa inspired with artwork & cool sculptures from this colourful continent.

SERVICES They have an onsite bar & cafe serving up some of the best coffee in the area. In the night you can get yourself a delicious cocktail or some modern food from the menu. They can organise tours around the main attractions of the island. Just ask they have a wealth of information to share.

LOCATION It’s about 15min by foot to the old town. Located in a residential area it a great place to get away from the crowds & meet some locals. You can always rent a bike if not up...