HI Hostel Dubrovnik

This was the worst hostel experience I’ve ever had and I’ve been an HI Hostelling member for 18 years. HI drop this property from your network-they are only bringing your rating down. First, the website description of this property leaves out very important key details for travelers! For instance, the hostel is extremely difficult to get to - as in walking a 25 minute hike straight up hill with all of your luggage from either the new port or old town (if you know the bus system you could take a local bus up the hill halfway but still have to walk the other half). Then once you get to the top of the hill you must look very closely for the one sign not completely faded by the sun with the HI logo. Then you must climb 43 stairs to get to the actual property with your luggage!!! There is no other way to access the property. I’m told Uber drivers don’t know where this place is. Once you’ve done all that, you realize there is no air conditioning in the hostel rooms!!! The hallways are air conditioned but bit the rooms. It was so hot during my one night stay (because I canceled all other nights) that people were sitting in the hallway all hours if the night to keep cool. Additionally, this place gives new meaning to youth hostel as the guests err very young and partying all night long with no disregard for other guests. Thus brings me to me next point in that this place is so cheap, there is only one room key, which meant that if you are in the room, you either have to leave the door unlocked all night long so you don’t have to get up at all hours if the night to let people in or you lock the door and get up at all hours of the night to let people in. Very frustrating either way. At 4 am I was woken up to 3 men standing in my room laughing and trying to wake up the girl on the top bunk. Next, there is no kitchen and only a small refrigerator to keep items. What hostel doesn’t have a kitchen? Finally, the staff was incompetent. I wanted to cancel my reservation within the terms of HI’s policy and the front desk girl said she didn’t know what the policy was or how to cancel reservations. Turned out to be a lie after I pressed her several times she finally did it. The staff also gave no recommendations and are pretty unhelpful when you asked questions. Obviously, I’d never stay here again nor recommend!

33%

Helpful staff and great location within 20 minutes walk to Old Town, beaches, grocery stores. Great old building with atrium and outdoir patio but no chairs or couches. One apartment size fridge, barely cold, for the entire hostel! Showers were hot with great water pesssure. BUT, no towels available to rent; no kitchen whatsoever and not even a kettle to boil water for tea. Breakfast has nothing hot, not even toast, and forget about fruit or yogurt. Mattress had a dip in the center and was old and not especially clean. Two of my.roommates did not bother with the sheets which makes you wonder if your mattress pad is clean or was it someone else's sheet? I realize HI hostels vary in quality but honestly, I am surprised this one is part of the HI network.

67%

We did not enjoy staying in this hostel. The halls are aircon but the bedrooms are hot and muggy (fan provided but just made it bearable). The bathrooms are dirty and tired with many broken fixtures and fittings, eg. the ladies showers were dirty and filled with water (and other peoples hair) as you showered and there is no private space to change/get dry. There is zero kitchen facilities, not even a tap, if you want water you have to use the bathrooms. Access to fresh water and perhaps a kettle would improve the service. There is a fridge in the basement but again it is dirty and old. Breakfast is included, it is basic but ok (museli/cornflakes (UHT milk), bread and spreads, lemon cordial and coffee) but is only provided between 8 and 9! The staff at the front desk were efficient and helpful and will organise airport transfers. There is a space for left luggage but it is not secure. Overall this place is ok, but I would not book again and I was surprised at the low standard. I thought HI meant a certain level of quality but obviously not. There is huge variation between hostels (hostel DIC in ljubljana was excellent compared to this place).

67%