CATS HOSTEL SAN SEBASTIAN — Hotel in San Sebastián

I was emailed a code to get into the property, there was no one on reception to welcome me. I booked in a hurry and my bad, didnt realise this is a digital property, I have never heard of such a thing. I managed to get into the building, found the room numbering system very confusing, the lovely cleaning man who spoke no English assisted me to my room where we discovered my door code would not open the dorm room door. After ten tries he went and got a card and I managed to open at door. It was at this point that an ungodly stench, reminiscent of a football team locker room after a game, hit me in the face. It was absolutely disgusting. There were five sweaty guys in their marinating in each others stench. It was after midnight, I was exhausted, I went to bed. |Immediately in the morning I went to the front desk and asked to be moved, there was a bit of mucking about because the lovely girl there was only admin and had to call someone else who had to call me back...the answer was pretty straight - You booked a share room, deal with it. I asked for a refund and was told No. I took breakfast which was extremely basic. I had to return to the room, opened the curtains and the window as wide as it would go to air the room out. I'd say this place isn't bad unless you have an issue, then you are on your own. The facilities are pretty average. They have only one washing machine and dryer for the entire hostel and the bathrooms on my floor, the toilet was half broken and only one out of two showers had a door that locked. It is quite far from the center of town. To top it off, I had twice emailed the hostel to advise I have a disability and require a bottom bunk and to ask if they have a private fridge where I could store my medication. They never responded and my meds need to be in the fridge, I had no choice but to leave them in the very small and hardly sterile or secure, common room fridge. When I retrieved the bag on the last day, more than half my medicine was missing. Very expensive and much needed medicine. I came away with a six month supply, now reduced to six weeks and I can not afford to replace them. Not a happy camper but what can you do ? I left but hey, it is cheap and you might have a...

I recently spent 5 nights in San Sebastian - which was made more comfortable with my stay at Koisi Hostel. In my experience one of the things that makes or breaks a stay in a hostel is the impression you get the moment you walk through the door. I was greeted with a friendly welcoming smiles from Christiana and Sonia and it set the tone for the whole stay.

All the staff were absolutely fantastic - Helpful, patient, friendly and set the vibe of the place. The Hostel is only 12 months old and it is purpose built for this function. Sometimes new buildings / hostels can lack character, soul and feel a bit clinical. This is no the case with Koisi Hostel. The facilities are well thought out, secure, very very clean. It is a great hostel with hotel facilities (Proper bathrooms, showers, good bed with space and a divider to give some privacy, secure lockers). Everything has been carefully thought out - Free breakfast is a really nice touch good start to the day before you get going.

Only comment is that it would be cool if the bar on the terrace was open and there was more going on there - In saying that San Sebastian is such an amazing place you just want to explore all day so didn't really bother me.

It is a bit of a walk to Old Town the heart of the city but I just hired bikes or walked and once you get going it isn't it doesn't really phase you and it is a great walk. The area where the hostel is really cool there are little hole in the wall bars and Pepe became my local - which are all cheap. The beach in only 5 mins walk and it is wicked swimming beach where you can hire paddle boards & Kayaks.

Thanks having me...

What a weird Hostel!!! I understand that we live in a modern time with digital solutions etc. but the concept of the place makes a normal hostel-life difficult. Everything happens through some online platform and digital solutions. Feels like you almost need to scan a QR code before you can to take a sh... People regularly have trouble checking in online and need to contact someone through an automatic phone if they have any issues. There is NOBODY available at the reception at all times and the people behind the bar can not help with any issue concerning your booking! The fact that you have to enter a 10 digit code every time you want to enter the building and the room makes it even more annoying. The neighbours all have stickers on their windows that say "Koisi Guests Keep Quiet!" so the reputation was/is most likely not the best in the area.... You are not allowed to consume your own food downstairs and there is not even a real kitchen equipped with the basics. There are signs everywhere about what you shouldn't do. Location is quite far from the city center so not that good. Will definitely not recommend this place! Hostels are supposed to be simple accomodations where people can effortlessly connect with each other without following dozens of rules and using useless and complicated solutions just to make it seem more modern...