Post by Kim on Aug 13, 2005 17:10:01 GMT -5
So I was reading through the hostel reviews I still have to post and a few things came up that I thought might be good to clarify.
Breakfast. Some hostels include breakfast but don't expect this to be some great spread. Often it is either toast, juice and coffee, toast and cereal, just muffins or buns, cheese and meats. Don't go in with high expectations for breakfast but do eat whatever is included as hey, it's free. Seems like many people are disappointed when breakfast is minimal and simple but in 95% of the cases, that is what you can expect.
Also, ask what time breakfast is if it's included when you check in. Alot of the hostels only do it between certain hours which is fair. If you sleep through it, expect to round up your own breakfast.
Lockers. If they are there, use them. Don't be surprised if anyone steals anything if you leave it out for the taking. People steal weird stuff. Everything valuable should be with you at all times - when you are showering etc. The people in your room may seem nice but they may also have sticky fingers so don't advertise anything of value you may have or what you do with your money belt when sleeping, that sort of thing.
If you've made hostel reservations, it's a good idea to confirm or double check them if you have a chance. You could email them before leaving or phone them while on the road.
Don't expect hostels to email you back within a day, life is different in Europe. Give them 3 - 4 days to respond before emailing again.
Deciding on what hostel to stay at.
My technique is:
1) Decide what things you need in a hostel - central location, kitchen etc.
2) Read reviews - although take these with a grain of salt as other sites publish all reviews including ones hostels can write for themselves
3) Check the prices. Weigh the pros and cons - for example, if one hostel is a bit more but has a kitchen, you might end up saving alot by cooking making that the better deal.
Even if you want to play it by ear with your trip, make reservations for the first couple of nights. Trust me on this one. You will be jet lagged and glad you did. Get directions from the hostel before you leave on how you get there from the airport so you don't have to figure that out when you get off the plane. Make sure to get specifics - as in bus numbers, where you catch the train etc.
Unless the internet is free at your hostel, alot of the time you can get it cheaper by checking out the internet cafes, esp. in big cities so keep an eye out for them when sightseeing etc. Your guidebook should also list internet cafes for the cities.
Dorms in hostels. You never know who you are going to get. Bring earplugs in case you get a snorer. Try not to judge the hostel by the group you get in your room, just ask the next day if you can switch if it's not a situation you can deal with.
If you are a couple or group of males and females planning on staying in dorms, check to see if the dorms are unisex, as some are. If this is the case, you may be split up - and you may want to opt for another hostel.
Kim
Breakfast. Some hostels include breakfast but don't expect this to be some great spread. Often it is either toast, juice and coffee, toast and cereal, just muffins or buns, cheese and meats. Don't go in with high expectations for breakfast but do eat whatever is included as hey, it's free. Seems like many people are disappointed when breakfast is minimal and simple but in 95% of the cases, that is what you can expect.
Also, ask what time breakfast is if it's included when you check in. Alot of the hostels only do it between certain hours which is fair. If you sleep through it, expect to round up your own breakfast.
Lockers. If they are there, use them. Don't be surprised if anyone steals anything if you leave it out for the taking. People steal weird stuff. Everything valuable should be with you at all times - when you are showering etc. The people in your room may seem nice but they may also have sticky fingers so don't advertise anything of value you may have or what you do with your money belt when sleeping, that sort of thing.
If you've made hostel reservations, it's a good idea to confirm or double check them if you have a chance. You could email them before leaving or phone them while on the road.
Don't expect hostels to email you back within a day, life is different in Europe. Give them 3 - 4 days to respond before emailing again.
Deciding on what hostel to stay at.
My technique is:
1) Decide what things you need in a hostel - central location, kitchen etc.
2) Read reviews - although take these with a grain of salt as other sites publish all reviews including ones hostels can write for themselves
3) Check the prices. Weigh the pros and cons - for example, if one hostel is a bit more but has a kitchen, you might end up saving alot by cooking making that the better deal.
Even if you want to play it by ear with your trip, make reservations for the first couple of nights. Trust me on this one. You will be jet lagged and glad you did. Get directions from the hostel before you leave on how you get there from the airport so you don't have to figure that out when you get off the plane. Make sure to get specifics - as in bus numbers, where you catch the train etc.
Unless the internet is free at your hostel, alot of the time you can get it cheaper by checking out the internet cafes, esp. in big cities so keep an eye out for them when sightseeing etc. Your guidebook should also list internet cafes for the cities.
Dorms in hostels. You never know who you are going to get. Bring earplugs in case you get a snorer. Try not to judge the hostel by the group you get in your room, just ask the next day if you can switch if it's not a situation you can deal with.
If you are a couple or group of males and females planning on staying in dorms, check to see if the dorms are unisex, as some are. If this is the case, you may be split up - and you may want to opt for another hostel.
Kim