Pros:
All the homey touches and going along with the staff on their outings
Cons:
It looks rough from the outside and there are a lot of stairs to climb
TimUK
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
This place is not very attractive as you approach it on the street and there a load of stairs to climb, but it's my favourite hostel ever.It's nicely decorated, non-smoking and the location is perfect; right in the centre of the city near a supermarket and some good little cafes. The thing I liked most was the attention to detail. The curtains cover the windows the whole way, there's a little shelf next to each bed, the beds don't squeak or rock and there are fresh herbs growing on the kitchen windowsill. None of that is rocket science but how many places actually get it right?Also, the owners and staff always offer to take people along on their outings. While I was there I saw a pre-season ice hockey game for next to nothing, went swimming in an old quarry and got taken to the coolest student bar that I never would have found alone.Couldn't have been better!
Pros:
good ambience of common areas
Cons:
the owner
Xman
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
I have probably stayed in at least 200 hostels across Europe and USA,long-term (a few wks or months)in maybe 50 of them,and I have never encountered another hostel owner as unpleasant as this one.He is phony,two-faced,hypocritical and plays favourites according to nationality.There is at least one nationality he particularly dislikes,though he will generally tolerate one gender of that nationality but not the other.
He isn't there all year round,but when he is the following apply:
The hostel is promoted as a place to stay long-term,but in reality this depends on your nationality,gender,and whether you are friends with a member of staff.
If you don't tick the right boxes,all efforts to respect the rules won't matter.
As I've lived in many countries,and stayed in many hostels,I know what is correct behaviour in such an environment.
Anyway I was not told any reason why I had to leave except a false reason,false because the 'rule' was not applied to others in the exact same situation.
The owner passes off a cool and mysterious persona when there are many backpackers around,but catch him in his off-moments and you see the facade crumble.Often grumpy,at these times he will sit around glaring for seemingly no reason.If he doesn't approve of you,then he will nitpick and even worse,try to provoke you by blaming you for things that others have done.He will also generalise and then criticise someone for generalising.I don't want to write a book here;but after scratching my head over his behaviour I later spoke with several others who had shared my experiences,and a pattern emerged.Different standards for different people,according to his prejudices and personal temperament.
Anyway he has competition now,after 7 years of having a monopol.There is a new hostel in Olomouc so I hope they run him out of town.
4 of
6 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 12674)
relaxing, fun, comfortable and a great place to get away to., March 27, 2009
Pros:
Great staff who wants you to enjoy yourself and the city.
Cons:
No private baths - if I have to say something.
hbludau
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(5)
Poet's Corner is a great place to stay, regardless of the city. But they really show their love of Olomouc and help everyone who comes through to get to know the city, as well. Upon arriving, the staff is welcoming and friendly, offering a cup of tea. During check-in, you receive a map of Olomouc highlighting great restaurants and bars, as well as other necessities. The rooms are not overcrowded even when at full capacity during summer months. The common room and kitchen are great places to get to know your fellow travellers and plan daytrips or nights out, using notebooks put together by the staff. During a long stay there in the summer of 2006, I explored the city, visited a fairy tale castle, went to a music festival, enjoyed an impromptu sing-a-long and made some great friends, just because I stayed at Poet's Corner. When I returned a few weeks ago (March 2009), I was glad to see that the only thing that had changed besides a few of the staff was that they now have wifi.
8 of
8 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 5761)
Such a good hostel, by far the best place we stayed in europe, July 22, 2007
After quite a few months of travelling europe we eventually stumbled on Poets Corner. Had such a great time here, staff are great. Doesnt have a bar or tv which gets everybody around the settlers board. Supermarket is just across the road, plus the airplane is close by :).Definately go to this place.
13 of
13 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 1040)
Small, Cosy Hostel with a Personal Touch, December 25, 2006
Pros:
Location, Staff and Inside Knowledge
Cons:
None
petulance
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(5)
Olomouc was my first stop in the Czech Republic. Poets Corner is located in the middle of town and is within walking distance of everything.The hostel is a cosy hostel that is actually an apartment. The owners, Greg and Francine, provide a personal touch that is lacking in most other hostels. They provided the local knowledge of places to eat, drink and things to see. It was almost like staying with a local family.I had a great time at the hostel. It isn't a party place, but the people I met in the hostel were among the most interesting throughout my travels and we all had a great time in Olomouc.I can't recommend this place highly enough. Go see Olomouc now before it gets overrun by the tourist hordes.
Pros:
Great location, attentive staff, friendly atmosphere
Cons:
a little delapidated, but in a cosy sort of way
Mike ACT
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(5)
I liked Poet's Corner and Olomouc. I was there in June 2006 when there was a festival going on with lots of interesting events and activities, but the staff make sure you are well-informed of everything to see and do in the town and its surrounds. They've written info sheets on things to do in Olomouc and on day trips in the area; these are worth reading just for the writer's personal observations on some of the venues in town. It's not a party place (though there are lots of bars in this University town to do that) but there's a friendly vibe which makes it hard to leave. A perfect stopover for a few days when you're on the way to Krakow from Prague.
7 of
15 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 288)
Do yourself a favour, stop at the Poets' for a night or two, April 9, 2006
Pros:
Small, safe, friendly, helpfull, warm and fun.
Cons:
None worthy of mention.
webstereo
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(5)
If you are in Prague and considering a trip to Krakow, or Bratislava, I cannot recommend a stop in Olomouc enough. It's such a pretty little town with plenty of fun and friendly people (not to mention excellent food and cheap beer). It really is worth spending a couple of days there. The Poets' Corner Hostel was a great place to stay. THe staff are friendly and very helpful. The place is small enough to easily make loads of new friends but spacious enough to not feel like you're cramped into a small space. Just do yourself a favour and make tracks straight to Olomouc. And just in case you're wondering, I'm not the owner. Just a frequent visitor who has always had a great time there.
But they really show their love of Olomouc and help everyone who comes through to get to know the city, as well. Upon arriving, the staff is welcoming and friendly, offering a cup of tea. During check-in, you receive a map of Olomouc highlighting great restaurants and bars, as well as other necessities. The rooms are not overcrowded even when at full capacity during summer months. The common room and kitchen are great places to get to know your fellow travellers and plan daytrips or nights out, using notebooks put together by the staff. During a long stay there in the summer of 2006, I explored the city, visited a fairy tale castle, went to a music festival, enjoyed an impromptu sing-a-long and made some great friends, just because I stayed at Poet's Corner. When I returned a few weeks ago (March 2009), I was glad to see that the only thing that had changed besides a few of the staff was that they now have wifi. 
