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Displaying Reviews:
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Globally Recognized for Overall Excellence, November 24, 2007
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Reviewer: Ivario from EU
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Pros:
The staff members work together for the benefit of every guest
Cons:
Only an occasional ingrate disturbs the appreciation of most guests
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Ivario
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The independent traveller who isn´t looking for a party atmosphere that does little more than enhance the blurred impressions which sadly do little more than leave behind a fuzzy series of impressions culled from the same people at the same places will find his or her stay at Sir Toby´s pleasant and productive. Pleasant: in the warm months, outdoor suppers and drinks in the garden invite stimulating conversations among travellers; in the winter months, an evening spent off one´s feet in the pub snacking on pickled hermelin and sipping a Kozel or Becharovka rounds out a day passed in the Prague´s museums, galleries, churches, synagogues, universities, cinemas -- the offerings ample with which to stimulate the kind of active response that finds many visitors more inclined to share with one another impressions that are correspondingly lively and memorable. Holesovice is not to everyone´s liking, admittedly. It requires an appreciation of its proximity from the scene in the city center to understand why it attracts a good portion of the city´s artistic and literary community. Notwithstanding cheap rents and the generaal quiet of a district steeped in proletarian politics, it has an independent spirit that doesn´t dispense with the niceties that come with the picturesque and correspondingly touristed neigbourhoods. It takes time to appreciate how good the medovnik (honey cake) is at the local cukarna (bakery), how satisfying a nine-crown chunk of freshly-baked sekarna (Czech meat loaf) is at the lahoutky (delicatessen), why the veggies sold at the stands in the public market or the litle stands near the train station are prized by people from other quarters who head over just for their superior quality. The drab facades and the bleak stretches that extend the neighborhoods´boundaries conceal the kind of secrets that have found food critics from The New York Times praising neighbouring restaurants, such as the Kohout Cerny (Black Rooster)...sparing local cognoscenti, such as those at Sir Toby´s, details about other establishments that are as good, if not better. The rooms have personality and the beds are the favoured refuge from the world: burrowed into or floating over one of the down comforters, anxiety is dispelled and one´s senses are renewed. Most people are very respectful of each others needs and the staff work constanty to ensure that each guest is treated with courtesy and a sense of belonging that allows for good contacts to be made among people of wildly divergent walks of life, nationalities and so forth. Some of these are repeat visitors, known to one another, who become more like extended members of the hostel "family". It isn´t unusual for these to ask for their favourite rooms or to be close to one another so that they can get the most from even a brief "reunion." The identification of certain rooms with travellers and the recall of the staff are much appreciated.Those who feel as though they are missing out on the scene in the city centre often come around to admitting a knowledge of Prague that escapes many visitors: the late-night tram back to the hostel has a dream-like quality, one that offers an impression of the city at an hour when other visitors stupidly sway to the tune of too many beers; one is more apt to appreciate the privilege of a day spent walking the city, learning something of value about it -- getting some insight from a gifted teacher (Stephan and Paul were great) or being encouraged to use the hostel as a base for exploring the region (Kutna Hora, Terezín, Karlový Vary, Melník). The message at Sir Toby´s is that the gift of Prague is not to be underappreciated and that everyone should throw him or herself into learning and living it. Whining about the distance here amounts to little more than excuse for wasting time drinking and wasting time.In summary, one recalls the hospitality and helpfulness of the staff, the comfort of the rooms and hostel as a whole and the encouragement to see Prague in an unexpected way, free of wasted time and energy. The only problem, as indicated, is the occasional ingrate who is cut short before he disturbs other guests. These, fortunately, are few and far between. What keeps them out, perhaps, is the understanding that one of the best ways to approach Prague begins here -- at Sir Toby´s.
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3 of
6 people found this review helpful
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Very nice hostel, little out of the way though, June 4, 2007
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Reviewer: homersmpsns from Austin, TX
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Pros:
has kitchen, and in-suite bathrooms
Cons:
little far from the castle and old town
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homersmpsns
saw things this way
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All in all this was a great hostel, it had a kitchen which was great because a supermarket was right down the street. I say its far from the old town and the castle, but the tram stop is 2 minutes from the hostel and then it's 8 stops on the tram. The hostel was very well kept, and everything was clean. It had an in-suite bathroom, at least my room did. It had a courtyard outside and a bar downstairs, which served breakfast, and turned into a pub during the evening. The internet was dirt cheap, but not free. they also had people at the desk all night who were very knowledgeable and also had guide books that you could check out for free.
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1 of
1 people found this review helpful
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Sir Toby's made my experience in Prague, March 11, 2007
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Reviewer: TravelingRenate from Portland, OR
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Pros:
Kitchen, backyard, and Prague guide made me feel at home
Cons:
Sharing a bunk with strangers, but that's nothing unusual
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TravelingRenate
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When I first arrived in Prague, I stayed at the Traveler's Hostel because it was downtown and touted as "Prague's first hostel." But, it was terrible. I did some research and ended up at Sir Toby's Inn north of the river, walking distance from the train station. I immediately felt welcome and comfortable there. The staff were nice and very helpful- they even let me borrow a lock for the locker room. Sir Toby's is in a gorgeous Art Nouveau building with a huge staircase, quaint common kitchen where guests cooked up amazing meals every day, a large backyard with tables where people would sit and write, and pretty big rooms. I stayed in an 8-person room with four bunk beds to save some money, and it was fine. There is a sink in each room, along with at least two bathrooms with showers on each floor.The first night I was there, they had a Czech film screening in the basement bar area. Sir Toby's also has their own small guide to Prague that they give to each of their guests, and is filled with the cool in-the-know restaurants, bars, and sights, along with important vocabulary words. Several people I met at Sir Toby's were expats and had lived in Prague for years, some very eccentric writers and artists who basically lived at the hostel.At night, the bar serves cheap wine and beer and Czech liquor, and has tons of board games and chess. It's a cool, darkly lit basement bar with candles and comfy couches. In the morning, you can purchase breakfast, served in the bar area. It's about $5US but completely worth it- bread, hard-boiled eggs, cheeses, cereals, jam, butter, an espresso machine, juices, nutella, milk, and so on. There is also a quiet 'meditation' room in the basement where you can read, or pray, or meditate.Don't let the location deter you from staying here- it's close to the first train station (not the downtown one), and a half-block from the cable car that takes you to the subway, which you can take downtown- about a ten minute trip all together. The neighborhood itself it very cool- right by the big art museums, good restaurants, a crazy bar/club called the Cross Club, a couple of grocery stores, and the huge Prague market.All in all, very welcoming, very homey, and very impressive! I didn't want to leave.
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4 of
4 people found this review helpful
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quaint, homey, and cozy, May 22, 2006
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Reviewer:
discodiva1974@yahoo.com
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Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
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Imported Review
saw things this way
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I loved this place. Single female traveling solo and felt incredibly secure here. Keys and codes needed for nearly every single door. Wish I stayed longer but Prague is full of tourists and not that exciting. This hostel is very, very charming. Cant say enough about it. Breakfast is extra but still cheap and suitable for ovo lacto vegetarians. Rooms have themes, comfortable beds and sheets. Private shower and toilet. Very clean place. Many -loud- Americans here during my short stay, not sure if many Americans are there all the time. Staff incredibly attentive and helpful.
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1 of
1 people found this review helpful
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What hostels should be, November 18, 2005
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Reviewer:
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Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
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Anonymous
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Sir Toby's is a little gem of a place on the outskirts of Prague. We stayed in a 6 bed room on the ground floor, which had a sink in the room, a bathroom next door, underbed lockers, overbed lockers, lots of power points and a desk. Basically everything you could need. That's Sir Toby's, they have obviously been backpacking, made a list of good stuff and put it in their hostel. The location is fine, with some advantages of being out of the city centre - nice local bars and resturants and the market for bargain food. I don't think it would be suitable for large groups who want to party hard into the wee small hours but if you fancy some late nights there is a club about 10 minutes walk away. I'd say give it a try 'cause there are plenty of alternatives if it's not your cup of tea, but you'll probably want to stay.
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4 of
4 people found this review helpful
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Awesome hostel, friendly staff, November 12, 2005
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Reviewer:
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Pros:
n/a
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n/a
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Anonymous
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One of the best hostels I have stayed in. True, it is about 10-15 minute tram ride outside the city center, but that has its good sides. You get away from all the tourists and the prices in the restaurants nearby are a little bit cheaper. As for the hostel itself, very clean. The showers had nice hot water, big lockers underneath the beds, and good bathrooms. Also, the security is excellent. You have to have a code to get in the front door, then a key to 2 doors to get into your room. The breakfast for 80CZK is way worth it! Great breakfast. You do have to pay for it, but it's not just the cereal, and toast you get at other hostels.
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2 of
2 people found this review helpful
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excellent stay, October 26, 2005
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Reviewer:
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Pros:
n/a
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n/a
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Anonymous
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Maintenance
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Excellent hostel with comfortable beds (no bunks!) a decent shower and lockers under the beds. This place also has a downstairs cellar bar (all stone, very medieval looking) where you can get cheap beer (although I didn't care for the quality of it) and socialize. We actually made a lot of friends just hanging out down there. The downside is that it's far from the center of town so you have to get used to the transportation system (not that hard to figure out although requires some attention) If you are arriving at night, make sure to ask a local (assuming they speak english) where the stop is for the hostel. Overall i'm glad that I stayed in this hostel, I would definetly do it again.
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1 of
1 people found this review helpful
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2 of
2 people found this review helpful
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They have it figured out, September 14, 2005
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Reviewer:
Erin Pettigrew
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Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
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Imported Review
saw things this way
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Sir Toby's was one of the best hostels I have visited in my travels due to its cleanliness, friendly staff, easy internet access, great kitchen, organization, and relaxed breakfast nook/ bar in the basement. Staying here, I felt as if I were able to see more of the "real" Prague since one either has to walk a bit or take a tram. When you arrive, they give you a wonderful pamphlet about the area and the city with key phrases in Czech and hints on how to miss the maddening crowds. I would definitely recommend staying here.
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3 of
3 people found this review helpful
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Pages: 1 2 3 4 5
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