This hostel may look beautiful on the surface, but nearly every aspect of the actual experience was frustrating and poorly designed. The biggest issue was the sleeping situation. Upon entering the room, body odor smell hits you like a wall. Bunks were assigned, and for some reason, all guests from warm climates (like Madrid) were put on the bottom bunks, while those of us from cooler regions were placed on the top. This wouldn’t have mattered so much if the AC hadn’t been turned off by the bottom bunk guests, leaving the top bunks unbearably hot and stuffy all night. I was drenched in sweat all night with no blankets, no clothes, and no airflow, completely unable to sleep. Combine that with inconsiderate loud roommates talking during sleeping hours, letting alarms play for what felt like hours, leaving the door wide open to the communal dining area during breakfast hours, and you’ve got a disaster for anyone trying to rest after a late night. The doors were the final insult. They beep loudly five times, buzz like a prison gate, and slam shut, waking everyone in the room each time someone came or went. You physically cannot enter or exit quietly, even if you’re trying to be respectful. On top of that, the lockers had tiny padlock holes that didn’t fit my standard Master lock (which worked at every other hostel). The only solution? Buy a new lock from reception for €5. Just one more small but infuriating design choice that made me feel like I was being punished for their poor planning. For comparison, the hostel I stayed at in Madrid was silent, comfortable, had unassigned bunks, whisper-quiet doors, and AC which was controlled by the building, not the bottom bunk sleepers. The top bunks have a gap between the mattress and the wall that you can easily drop stuff down, which will wake everyone in the room, and you can then have fun crawling under the bottom bunk to retrieve your things. The bathrooms reminded me of a sleep away summer camp, crowded, communal, and far fewer stalls than actually needed. This place might win on aesthetics, but comfort, function, and basic consideration for travelers were seriously lacking. Don’t expect to feel rested in...
Read moreWe stopped for two nights in this family look like hostel. The atmosphere is probably my favourite part. All staff were excellent and very accommodating, specially administrator Joao. Little things like getting an advice about where to go or asking about the country where are you coming, or keeping conversation with all customers at any age from Joao. Most friendly and helpful receptionist ever, so lovely and great first impression of hostel and Portugal at all. Hostel was very clean. Back to the hostel - we would recommend stopping here.The hostel is a bit dated but very clean with a huge interior garden where peaceful plants climb the walls and wrap benches in a soft embrace. There’s is pool table, tennis rackets and plenty other entertainment items for your gathering. Even if you want to sit and read there’s a place to do that amidst all the fun to be had. Location of the hostel is excellent, close proximity to city centre and in the middle of the train station. It is like from Harry Potter movie where you are getting mystery train. Room was very clean, shower was modern and was enough shelves, sockets. The best part was left at the end, little postal where one side is review questionary and on other side is Lisbon travel planer or adviser. This is probable the best marketing trick that I have ever met and would recommend to each accommodation place to have. Bravo! Highly recommended to everyone without any doubt. Forgot to mention that it very safe and reasonably value for money. This hotel has forever found a special place in the heart of...
Read moreLocated directly within Lisbon's vibrant Rossio train station, this hostel stands out for its exceptional accessibility. It takes literally just a two-minute walk to the train platforms from your bed, yes, l mean it; the hostel's proximity to a major transportation hub means guests have easy access to a plethora of metro, bus, and tram lines through the nearby plaza. For those eager to explore Sintra or any other part of the city, the convenience is simply unmatched.
The communal areas of the hostel evoke the charm of a spacious greenhouse, filled with a lush, green ambiance that invites relaxation and social interaction. During my stay, I was drawn into enriching conversations with travelers from across the globe, including Australia, Switzerland, Germany, and the US. This welcoming space harks back to the essence of travel, allowing for the exchange of stories and ideas in a warm, communal setting.
While the hostel's location and its vibrant social atmosphere are standout features, there's a gentle nudge towards refinement in the accommodations. The design of the bunk beds, which aren't fully enclosed, might be a bit quirky, leading to the possibility of a less than perfect sleep if you move a lot. Also, the provision for personal storage spaces for those little necessities like phones and glasses could be a tad more thoughtful. These points, while minor, are worth noting for the complete comfort of all guests.
In sum, this hostel is a gem for those prioritizing location and a vibrant...
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