Post by Civ on Oct 28, 2002 18:30:23 GMT -5
Hi! I just got back from my first solo trip and I have a couple of comments on some various places I stayed.
The Generator in London (Got stuck with this one):
This place is awful, just awful. The location was alright, but the staff at the front desk was rude and unhelpful. The price was high for the horrible accomodations. This hostel has the look of a converted U-Store-It, with bleak never-ending hallways and prison cell like interiors. The mattresses were worn out and uncomfortable, the sheets were stained. The noise from the bar permeates the entire building and the crowd of travellers there seems to be composed entirely of teenagers on a binge drinking spree. I was interested in this place due to its reputation for being a fun hostel and a place to meet others, but please learn from my experience and don’t be fooled. The downside of this place highly outweighs any ‘party atmosphere’ they claim to have. It wasn’t a party you’ll enjoy.
The Greenhouse Effect in Amsterdam:
This is a cheap hotel situated right outside of the red light district. I thought it was great. There is a bar downstairs that plays good music and had a lot of really cool, fun people in it, and a brown café next door. The rooms are clean and comfortable, the double room I stayed in was exceptional…at a great price! The staff was nice, the location was perfect for those who want to be close to the action, but still in a safe area. It was walking distance from everything. Two thumbs up, I’ll stay here again.
The Travellers Hostel Dlouha in Prague:
I don’t know which way to go on this one. At first I was pretty disgusted, there’s some kind of construction going on around the ground floor (which means don’t even think about sleeping in the day), and the stairs that lead to the hostel floor were creepy to say the least. The rooms were bland, but clean. The bar upstairs was nice, and allowed for everyone to do what they wanted…more like a general area, with cheap drinks. The staff was ok. I did meet pretty cool people at this hostel so it turned out to be a good experience over all. Damn cheap too.
Astor Leinster Inn in London:
This place was ok, it had a nice atmosphere, some cool people staying there and a decent staff. The location was good, but the price was a little steep. My only complaint is that the radiator was broken.
A little off the beaten path in Brugge, I stayed at a place called “Aquarious B&B”<br>These people were great. They had wonderful rooms with private facilities and a breakfast delivered to your room, all for 30 euros. I thought Brugge was great too, there was such an atmosphere of old meets new there, it was a really interesting place to be. Great food!!!
In my opinion, its worth it to spend a little more on accomodations. You're not going to be out ALL day EVERY day, and you need to be comfortable to get the necessary rest you need, and to stay healthy.
My last night in London I stayed in a hostel that didn't have proper heating, and I caught bronchitis, which I am still nursing. If I were still on the road right now, I'd be in baaad shape.
I say, if you have to, postpone your trip just a bit in order to save enough to ensure you a good nights sleep each night. It's more important than you think. ;D
The Generator in London (Got stuck with this one):
This place is awful, just awful. The location was alright, but the staff at the front desk was rude and unhelpful. The price was high for the horrible accomodations. This hostel has the look of a converted U-Store-It, with bleak never-ending hallways and prison cell like interiors. The mattresses were worn out and uncomfortable, the sheets were stained. The noise from the bar permeates the entire building and the crowd of travellers there seems to be composed entirely of teenagers on a binge drinking spree. I was interested in this place due to its reputation for being a fun hostel and a place to meet others, but please learn from my experience and don’t be fooled. The downside of this place highly outweighs any ‘party atmosphere’ they claim to have. It wasn’t a party you’ll enjoy.
The Greenhouse Effect in Amsterdam:
This is a cheap hotel situated right outside of the red light district. I thought it was great. There is a bar downstairs that plays good music and had a lot of really cool, fun people in it, and a brown café next door. The rooms are clean and comfortable, the double room I stayed in was exceptional…at a great price! The staff was nice, the location was perfect for those who want to be close to the action, but still in a safe area. It was walking distance from everything. Two thumbs up, I’ll stay here again.
The Travellers Hostel Dlouha in Prague:
I don’t know which way to go on this one. At first I was pretty disgusted, there’s some kind of construction going on around the ground floor (which means don’t even think about sleeping in the day), and the stairs that lead to the hostel floor were creepy to say the least. The rooms were bland, but clean. The bar upstairs was nice, and allowed for everyone to do what they wanted…more like a general area, with cheap drinks. The staff was ok. I did meet pretty cool people at this hostel so it turned out to be a good experience over all. Damn cheap too.
Astor Leinster Inn in London:
This place was ok, it had a nice atmosphere, some cool people staying there and a decent staff. The location was good, but the price was a little steep. My only complaint is that the radiator was broken.
A little off the beaten path in Brugge, I stayed at a place called “Aquarious B&B”<br>These people were great. They had wonderful rooms with private facilities and a breakfast delivered to your room, all for 30 euros. I thought Brugge was great too, there was such an atmosphere of old meets new there, it was a really interesting place to be. Great food!!!
In my opinion, its worth it to spend a little more on accomodations. You're not going to be out ALL day EVERY day, and you need to be comfortable to get the necessary rest you need, and to stay healthy.
My last night in London I stayed in a hostel that didn't have proper heating, and I caught bronchitis, which I am still nursing. If I were still on the road right now, I'd be in baaad shape.
I say, if you have to, postpone your trip just a bit in order to save enough to ensure you a good nights sleep each night. It's more important than you think. ;D
