Best hostels in:

[j33pguy]

Rome
Venice
Prague
Paris

any ideas about specific hostels in each of those 4 cities?

how much would you say a night for 2 people would cost (in may)?

Safe?

any other safety/common knowledge ideas/recommendations welcome.

[pointofnoreturn]

You would probably get better replies in the Accomodation section of the forum.

But erm, here's my reply regarding two of these cities:

Rome - The Beehive (www.the-beehive.com) - Aside from dorms, they also have private rooms and apartments available. Regarding apartments, you can book a room in one of them (usually about 70-75 euros a room per night but there's free internet, a HUGE bathroom and well-stocked kitchen). Would totally recommend this place.

Paris - I stayed at Appihotel in 2e arrondissement. Somewhat in the middle of a red light district but the rooms are bright and immaculately clean. For a twin ensuite room/balcony, it cost $35 CAD per person for that room.

[kristengingera]

PONR, I was thinking of staying in a Beehive appartment. I am in Rome for 5 nights and figured being able to cook my own suppers would save me money above and beyond the costs of staying in a dorm and having to buy from restaurants.

Main question is: are the kitchens really that well stocked? Should have no problem being able to make simple meals? Do they come stocked with staples such as salt, pepper, condiments, butter etc or do I have to buy everything?

[pointofnoreturn]

I would definitely recommend the apartment. For the record, I booked the Acacia apartment. It has 3 bedrooms (maybe 4, I kinda forgot) but you never really see the people around cause we're all out and about. But it definitely caters to older crowds. Last time I was there, there were 2 women in their 40's in one room, three younger students in another room, and just me and my friend in one room.

The bathroom is MASSIVE. And there's plenty of water LOL.

Internet is a MAC computer but that's okay and it's free.

Kitchen... it has all the basic necessities like salt, pepper, olive oil, plates, forks, cooking supplies, etc. You just have to buy the other stuff (there's a supermarket in the Termini station which is a 5 minutes walk away). There's a fridge, coffee maker, tea maker, toaster etc.

It's a good bargain and certainly more relaxing than a jam-packed dorm.

The only reason I wouldn't recommend an apartment if you're by youself. It's 70-75 euros a night which is steep but if you're travelling with someone else, then it's a very good deal.

[WillTravel]

If you don't want to stay in a dorm in Rome, there are several options which may work, and which are cheaper than 70-75 Euros.

Actually, the first option is a dorm, but sounds pretty neat (single rooms are available but at a relatively high cost). It's a hostel particularly for women:
hotels.lonelyplanet.com/hotel/Rome-La-Foresteria-Orsa-Maggiore-P130067.html

If Hotel Julia is offering a good price (sometimes yes and sometimes no), book an economic single room. You get a pretty good breakfast included, and the location is great.

Third, you could stay in a convent. The Santa Giuliana one or the Casa Rosario one or Fraterna Domus are the most highly recommended, I think.

Another relatively cheap hotel is Hotel Panda or its sister, Hotel Paradiso.