Pleasant pocket in grim side of fine town, July 3, 2003
Reviewer:
KBD
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
The walk from the station is pretty uninspiring, and (as has been indicated) there's little to see around, until you walk into town. But there's ample greenery, several beavers busying themselves in the grounds (no sniggering at the back, please), and the staff are quite pleasant.I had a bit of a Steve Martin moment though, when a cleaning woman (CLEANing woMAN?!) took the sleepsheet that my gran, bless her, sewed up for me. The hostel offered me 2, which was unnecessary, but I took one, though it's just an ordinary sheet. I may give it to a homeless person, or a kid at Hallowe'en, if it proves an unnecessary burden.School and teenage groups do indeed dominate, but there were folks my age there too (20-30), and the barman took a liking to me for some reason, the details of which I'll not bore you with now. The kitchen is a bit low on crockery and cutlery, but the noodle/spam/wine combo I lashed up with new acquaintances hit every spot going. There's fun in all this frugality.The beds are sturdy wooden affairs, and my view from the large windows was good and green, with a stream passing by below as well. The showers are among the most powerful I've ever had, and were well appreciated. The clothes-washing facilities at the adjoining campsite are awkward, but there's a place about 10 minutes down the road, where detergent is also vended automatically should you find yourself short.
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(Review ID: 7979)
Bland institutional HI, December 31, 2002
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
Yet another dull, institutional HI hostel on the periphery of town. The hostel is standard HI issue, with spartan rooms equipped with bunk beds, a lackluster common area, and an obvious orientation toward school groups. Laundry is available at the adjoining campground, a five minute walk from the hostel grounds. A fair sized parking lot is available for those with their own transport.The location is in a bland, suburban neighborhood of Strasbourg, a relatively short bus ride or dull 20 minute walk from the city center and rail station. (The local bus system workers were on strike during my stay, so the walk proved necessary in my case.) The neighborhood itself holds minimal appeal, with few amenities and nothing of interest, so don't expect to linger there.The backpacker scene here pales as compared to the student groups that dominate the place, so don't expect much in the way of fun if you're a backpacker. Given the dull facilities, minimal social scene, and uninteresting location, you may be better off staying in an affordable pension (low cost hotel) in the town center if your budget allows.
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(Review ID: 7980)
Clean, with friendly staff, reasonable access, July 28, 2002
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
Stock standard hostel more in the German School-group type mould than most French places. Car parking available, easy access to town by bus or tram. School groups can dominate though.
