Upon checking out of this hostel after staying for four nights, I was accused of writing a bad review about it for hostelworld. This was rude and unfair because a whole group of hostellers was witness to the spectacle. Instead of the revenge review I was considering, here's a fair treatment of this place.points in the letter:rude staff--to me, the staff was pleasant, though not esp. friendly (excluding the very nice Scottish guy), decently helpful as wellstaff music too loud--one guy did play exceed normal sound levels and I asked him to turn it down once, though it didn't bother me otherwise because it was stellar music I enjoy listening to at any volumestaff doesn't speak English--this is downright fiction. At least two guys speak it as their first language and the Czech girls, though not fluent, were adequateother points to consider:other hostellers--most were Americans wanting to get wasted nightly. Not a crowd I felt comfortable or willing to associate with, as I wouldn't back home either, though because of this I felt a bit ostracized in the common areas since these were the kids the staff partied with. I did meet several cool people, though, which is better than many hostels.internet--free but often broken or slow and always a line waiting to usebreakfast--free and decent, though sparsecleanliness--mattresses stained, but bathrooms cleannoise level--quite loud, avoid the room connected to the kitchen at all costs. After I moved to the second floor I had no more problems.I was angry to be accused of being the hated letter writer just because I wasn't the most bubbly and social individual, but that's what this place is like. Works for some people and if that's you, you'll love its laid-back vibe here. If not, consider other options. Overall, some people will love this place, others will hate it and, to me, it deserves neither such censure nor such praise. Kinda like Prague itself.
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 1802)
The Place in Prague, May 4, 2004
Reviewer:
Inspecter Nalgitas
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
The best location you can ask for. Take metro to Mustek and the street Vodickova is right there. Worth the expensive price (by Czech standards) for the spot and free internet, although there are just 2 computers.Everything is fairly clean, the kitchen is pretty good, with fridges, and beds are nice if not sturdy. You can drink when and wherever you want here, and the staff (generally just 1 lady) is very cool even if a little flustered most of the time with everything going on. There is usually no staff there at night; good for partiers and heavy sleepers but bad for those with fragile dreamstates. Also not very secure despite everyone having a key; a girl's bag was stolen at night when I was there. Much beer and absinth was drank there, and a good time was had by most. My sheets were too small for the bed, but whatever. The bar next door, U Sudu is really nice.
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 1803)
Good for partying, disappointing for everything else, January 10, 2004
Reviewer:
Andrew and Elle
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
After reading the other reviews we expected much going to this hostel. We came away disappointed. It was dirty (the kitchen as well as toilet), seemingly over-crowded (chain-smokers in the dorms)and noisey (shouting at 4:00am on a Tuesday morning). Sure, if you want to pay a lot of money getting to Prague and then drink until sunrise every night, then it is the place for you, however if you want to see a few of the sights in the morning and take in the real Czech atmosphere, look elsewhere.
9 of
9 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 1804)
stay here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, December 17, 2003
Reviewer:
Shivs
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
The staff at this hostel are so nice. We had a bit of a problem and ended up having to stay in Prague 8 hours than expected while we waited for our bus and they had no problem with letting us hang around there or with us leaving our bags behind while we went to sort things out. if you're going to Prague stay there!
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 1805)
Just okay, good people, not the best hostel, December 7, 2003
Reviewer:
Dave LeFevre
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
Good thing right away is that its cheap, which I suppose is nothing out of the ordinary for Prague. The hostel was just okay, nothing special whatsoever. Sleeping situations were okay, mostly big rooms - so make sure you don't need much privacy. Breakfast was not the best, but coffee all day long if you like, so thats pretty good. My worst complaint is the bathrooms. The showers have only hoses so you had to hold the shower in your hand to clean yourself, which can be annoying when you don't want to hold your hand up, while using the other to clean yourself. Also, there was limited hot water upstairs, so that was also annoying when in desperate need of a hot shower. The best place about the hostel was the free internet in the main room!!! Very cool, most places don't offer that, so a huge benefit. Also a fairly good place to meet people, and a very easy-going atmosphere at the place, like a family atmosphere. Good location, very close to the main strip and near old city. Recommended, but more research may suite your specific desires better. No curfew also!!
3 of
4 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 1806)
Totally Awesome, November 7, 2003
Reviewer:
Melissa
( babes448@hotmail.com)
from Chicago
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
I stayed at the Sickle for 5 days and had a kick good time. I came with 2 friends, but usually went out with 10, doing crazy stuff!! Peircing nite - woo hoo! The staff were really great and nobody there had any problem with security. Also, the staff is very lenient about letting u stay later than normal, storing ur stuff in a locked room when u take a day trip, etc. Totally awesome.
1 of
5 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 1807)
It's ok, September 5, 2003
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
I don't know how are the other hostels in Prague, but I stayed in this in mid july and it was quite good, clean.....friendly and centrally located near the wenceslao square
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 1808)
Not Impressed, May 10, 2003
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
After reading other reviews, I came to this hostel expecting a lot. Unfortunately, it seemed off the mark. Ok, the staff were pleasant, helpful and approachable. But there were just too many "cons" as opposed to "pros". If you are a nocturnal person solely in Prague for the night life, then this hostel is geared for you. However, if you like your sleep, forget it. The light is rarely turned off before 1am; people are arriving in the dorm regularly around 3am-4am; there is no "quiet time" like other hostels i.e. usually from 11pm; no 24 hour manned post thus if anything happened at the hostel who is in charge; the advertised 16 beds (8 in each dorm) regularly became 11 or 12 per dorm as extra beds were set up (this makes it rather cramped and stuffy); and lastly no lockers (in the time I was there one girl had her wallet stolen). If has regulary been said that this hostel had a "family atmoshpere". I do not doubt that, but that still does not justify a total trust in every stranger coming through the door. It only needs one to ruin it; lockers would be a helpful deterrent. There is room for it, just don't use extra beds!! From a quick look at other hostels, U Melounu, Sir Toby's or Avantage would be a better bet with some having lower prices although a bit further out.
12 of
12 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 1809)
Super, April 29, 2003
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
I was very lucky to find a bed in this hostel. I had great time with all the people there. Everybody was so friendly and very funny. Lionel, one of the guest who stayed there for nearly 3 months, showed me La Fabrique and that is one of the best club in Prague.Breakfast is for free and everything is always clean and tidy. Thank you, Andrea, for amazing time.
1 of
2 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 1810)
Good hostel on a bad day, April 16, 2003
Reviewer:
Dormain
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
The main problem with Golden Sickle is the limited reception hours (9am-7pm). If you arrive after 7pm, another guest may let you in and you can just pay in the morning, but we weren't so lucky and had to find other accommodations for the first night. The next night, a guest came late, drank half a bottle of absinthe, soiled half the hostel and left before hours the next day (he was later tracked down). It was really quite sad for the hostel, but I hope they change their policy after the incident because it is evident that they need more security. It is a pretty small, friendly, clean hostel with relatively easy access to the city and metro/train stations. A light breakfast was included in the low price
