The best hostel I've ever stayed in :), January 18, 2006
Reviewer:
Jan
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
Absolutely the best hostel, I would recommend it to anyone who likes to meet wonderful people, make new friends from all around the globe. Free internet, laundry, a long list of movies, the super comfy couch and all the information and help you need from the wonderful staff :) fun fun fun
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 2841)
Strange is a good word for this place, May 4, 2005
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
I stayed at The Stranger for 3 nights in April and again in May 2005. My motivation for choosing this was they seem to be one of the few hostels in Krakow with availability at the last moment. This is probably because there are much better hostels to stay in Krakow and they fill up first. This one has a very strange layout for a hostel. It is in the basement and first level of an old apartment building, consisting of two areas (the basement and the 1st level), connected by a dark and cold passage and a publicly accessable hallway and staircase. There are 3 or four dorm rooms upstairs with lockers, a kitchen, 1 toilet and 2 showers. In the basement is reception, more lockers, a toilet, a shower, a dorm room, internet computers, a tiny kitchen, a few tables, a couple sofas, and the much boasted video projector.Here are a few things I noticed during my stay:* Free high speed internet, with 2 quality terminals. But signage instructing users to give it up after 15 minutes if someone is waiting is not obvious, so users tend to hog.* There is a big screen, but the DVD player is broken. Hence no movies can be watched. They say they are going to buy a new one, but on my second visit nothing had changed. Guests going from the reception to the dorms upstairs must pass directly in front of the big screen because there is no way around it.* Free breakfast consisting of coffee, a loaf or 2 of white bread, 2 kinds of jam, 2 kinds of dry cereal, and one litre of milk. Nothing to get excited about, and if you're not an early riser, there may be no milk left by the time you get to the downstairs kitchen.* Upstairs dorm rooms are connected and one dorm doesn't have a door of its own. So the other rooms get traffic from people staying in that dorm, meaning doors being left open in the night, lights being left on, etc. You may have to get out of bed several times in the night to close the door or something.* The 10 bed dorms cost the same as 8 bed dorms. It seems that the 10 bed dorms always contain a noisier bunch than the 8 bed ones. * The showers upstairs are not very private. Shared by both males and females are 2 smoked-glass shower stalls, opening into a small area with 2 sinks. The door to this area does not lock or even close all the way. This is a fine setup if you don't mind being seen nekkid. There is no place to hang your clothes or towel except over the edge of the shower stalls.* Their advertising never shows outside pictures of this hostel. Thats because it looks very dogey. And the advertising for The Stranger hostel in Wroclaw uses the photos taken from the inside of the Krakow one. Don't be fooled.
2 of
5 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 2842)
I, January 10, 2005
Reviewer:
bokngc_16
( bokngc_16@hotmail.com)
from South England
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
I came to Krakow from Warsaw planning to stay only a night or two with my travel buddy before moving on to Budapest. Well I never made it to Budapest because Krakow and the stranger hostel rocked. It is situated within 5 mins from the main square and therefore easy to find on a drunken stagger back after a night out. The American blokes who ran the place and all their staff were real helpful and socialised with all their guests. When I visited the hostel was fairly new which was at the end of July and my mate actually stole raph 344's bed, by accident of course. I doubt the hostel has lost its buzzing atmosphere in this time or at least I hope not as I would really like to return with some other friends some time in the future. With cheap booze just round the corner i had some great times in the 6 days there. However if one wishes to absorb history as well as alcohol, then staying in the hostel provides a place to stay within an hour or so bus drive to Osviciem (Auschwitz), a visit to which will make you appreciate the ability to party in Krakow, a freedom which past generations of the region did not enjoy. The hostel also has information on a mad bike tour, if you are adventurous in spirit, which will take you to areas you would never have known about otherwise. Essentially I would recommend this place to anyone, unless they are a light sleeper or OAP.
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 2843)
Up all night, sleep all day, November 6, 2004
Reviewer:
genifra
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
OK, I'll be the bad guy.It's like staying at your friend's house -- if your friend's a stoner, hangs around the house all day, doesn't keep the place too clean, plays loud music ALL THE TIME (even when you're trying to sleep in the next room) and thinks watching DVDs inside is better than exploring Krakow outside. Plus it's expensive by Krakow standards -- about $14 US vs. about $5 US at the HI hostel.But it's centrally located, staff are helpful, people are fun and friendly and Krakow's SUPER CHEAP.
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 2844)
Excellent hostel... for partying, September 2, 2004
Reviewer:
raph344
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
The atmosphere in this hostel is probably the best in the world... The reception girls are always smiling, you can watch DVDs, play Xbox and relax on a big couch with stuffed animals !!! I've met many nice people (some of them I had already met in Gdansk) and the motto "Come as a stranger, leave as a friend" is extremely true.I spent six nights in Krakow. During the first three nights, I was in the first dorm downstairs, in the bed closest to the window. And it was hard to sleep because of many people speaking and laughing loud all night, so this probably wasn't the best place to sleep. Anyway, as the downstairs part was full, Mike decided to open a new dorm upstairs and I moved there (to a bunk bed I built myself !) and the rest of my stay was PERFECT !!
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 2845)
Best hostel ever stayed in. Great place, August 2, 2004
Reviewer:
peymora
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
This is by far the best hostel we've ever stayed in. The staff is super helpfull and they speak very good english. The atmosphere is really nice and fun.The facilities at this hostel really make it rise above the others we've been to. Free laundy, free internet (2 pc), free dvd's on a big screen. Xbox play-time for rent. Breakfast from 8 am till 1 pm (for people who like sleeping), and you can make it yourself. There's egg's, cerials, etc.We've just been there for 6 nights and that was after the hostel had been open for only 1,5 month. It's in the cellar of a building, and the directions at their website lead you to the front door. Don't get scared by the hallway you have to cross to get there, it's truly worth it.Bottomline: Highly recommended
