Great fun - a quirky sort of place (can be noisy), August 30, 2006
Reviewer:
Jez Ash
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
We really liked Merlins, because we have a relaxed and pragmatic idea of what we expect from a backpackers. Hence if you understand that the price you pay for a great atmosphere can sometimes be rather a lot of noise into the early hours, and you appreciate that comfy beds, good hot showers (when they remember to switch the water heater on), clean bathrooms and cheap prices are more important than having the kind of decor and service you'd expect in a fancy hotel, then this could very well be your sort of hostel too. We stayed there as a base for mountainbiking at Afan, and it's a great location.The bar downstairs is full of welcoming locals and full of atmosphere, and boy are pints cheap in South Wales!We got a good fryup in the morning from the bar (although it would be nice to be able to get this before 9am if you're out biking all day) and there's several takeaways in the village, plus one or two pubs that do food.Recommended if you know what to expect from backpacking.
