The Balkan Backpacker Network
www.thebalkanbackpacker.com
It is a selected of hostels in Balkan, there is a brochure to collect the stamps from the hostels we stay, if we collect 5 stamps, there will be a present in the fifth hostel we stay.
It is a selected of hostels in Balkan, there is a brochure to collect the stamps from the hostels we stay, if we collect 5 stamps, there will be a present in the fifth hostel we stay.
The present, for example, is laundry (heard from other travelers).
We can get 10% discount to if we show the brochure when check in, but it is only valid when we book direct with the hostel or walk in (not valid if we book via third party booking sites).
Albania
Tirana
Trip'n' Hostel
Booked at Booking.com at EUR 10, in 10 bed dorm room, including breakfast.
What I like:
- The staff. The owner, a bit cynical, but funny and OK. The owner's beautiful girlfriend was really helpful and nice and friendly. The same with the girl staff. The volunteers during my stay were cool guys too, doing the bartenders.
- The location. 10 minutes walk to the main square. Some restaurants are nearby.
- The interior (lobby, bar, garden) was cool designed.
- The individual socket and light on each bed, and the curtain for each bed.
- Freshly prepared egg for the breakfast.
- Cheap home brewed beer in the bar.
What I didn't like:
- More indication on the street to help finding the hostel will be helpful.
- City map was out of stock during my check-in.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo
M'Ali
Booked at Booking.com for EUR 18 for private room with private bathroom.
Pick-up at the airport was additional EUR 10. Was glad order this, otherwise it would be difficult to find the hotel since there was no sign at all.
What I liked:
Pick-up at the airport was additional EUR 10. Was glad order this, otherwise it would be difficult to find the hotel since there was no sign at all.
What I liked:
- The location inside the old city.
- Good value for a private room with bathroom inside.
- Comfortable bedroom though a bit small.
- Small kitchen and lounge.
- Good value for a private room with bathroom inside.
- Comfortable bedroom though a bit small.
- Small kitchen and lounge.
What I didn't like:
- It's a bit hard to find if you go by yourself. I ordered pick up with the owner so there was no issue for me. Not a single sign on the hotel.
Also the stairs to the apartment was completely dark at night.
- No staff of the hotel, but it was OK, the owner replied all questions by whatsapp.
Also the stairs to the apartment was completely dark at night.
- No staff of the hotel, but it was OK, the owner replied all questions by whatsapp.
Mostar
Hostel Golden Bridge
Booked at Booking.com for EUR 7.90 for 8 bedroom dorm.
What I liked:
- Stefan, the owner.
Very passionate, friendly, kind, attentive, he was a perfect host. No wonder people gave perfect score. And he did everything by himself alone.
Welcome drink, welcome snack were provided, even when I left the hostel early morning, Stefan woke up to make a coffee for me and sent me off.
The personal briefing with marking up on the city map was interesting and useful, including the information on Bruce Lee statue and the war-damage building with good view of the city.
- The location near the bus station.
- The bed with individual power socket and light.
What I didn't like:
- It's not what I didn't like, but I was a bit overwhelmed with Stefan's passion. The briefing during my arrival took more than 2 hours, while I was a bit tired listening and I wanted to go out soon to see the city before it got dark. Since my stay was only one night, I arrived in the afternoon and had to leave early morning, more than 2 hours briefing was a bit too much for me.
Bulgaria
Plovdiv
Guest House Old Plovdiv
Booked at Booking.com for BGN 24 (EUR 12) for 5 bed dorm.
What I like:
- The hostel itself is an historical mansion, but the facility is great with renovated large bathroom/toilet, large bedroom and living room, and a large garden.
- Location is in the old city, near the fortress.
- Parking is free, just behind the hotel, just the way entering the old city was a bit complicated.
- Welcome board with guest's name in guest's language.
- Hostel price, with no bunk bed, a comfortable bed in a large room, with locker and power socket near each bed.
What I didn't like:
- The staff was lack of smile and a bit cold, but a kind enough.
Sofia
Due to RyanAir cheap tickets, many flocks flew to Sofia, and most hostels were full. Many hostels introduced "annex" since they couldn't accommodate more guests.
Hostel Mostel
Booked directly by sending email to the hostel for 26 Leva or EUR 13.
Was in Arukikata, but not in Lonely Planet.
The hostel was a historical mansion and nicely decorated.
The explanation paper put on the toilet wall told the history of the place before converted to hostel.
What I liked:
- The lobby. Comfy and large and nicely decorated. There was a stage where I could take a nap sleeping.
- The breakfast was included. The vegetarian dinner was included too, but only available 19:00-20:00.
- The original city map by the hostel.
- The day trips. I joined the day trip to Rila Monastery.
- The location, not far from the main pedestrian streets.
What I didn't like:
- Since the main building was full, they accommodated me to an apartment, about 500 meters away from the main building.
Kosovo
Pristina
Hostel Han
Booked at Booking.com for EUR 12 for 6 bed dorm. Breakfast was included but very basic.
What I liked:
- Location in the middle of town, many restaurants nearby.
- The facilities were good, nice bunk bed, large room, lockers, balcony, nice cozy living room, nice kitchen, unfortunately they were seemed not well maintained.
What I didn't like:
- 4th floor without elevator.
- a bit hard to find hidden in the back street.
- when I checked in, the room was dirty, many rubbish on the floor and on the window corner.
- while the facility is good and comfy, it is not well maintained.
Macedonia
Skopje
Unity Hostel
Included in Balkan Backpacker Network.
Booked directly to the hostel by sending email.
What I liked:
- Location, less than 10 minutes walk to the Macedonian Square.
What I didn't like:
- Quite dark and gloomy hostel,
- The staff without smile, maybe it's typical Macedonian people, but they were quite informative.
Ohrid
Sunny Lake Hostel
Got their brochure at the hostel in Tirana, and booked by sending email directly.
Forgot the price, should be around EUR 12 for 10 bed dorm, including breakfast.
Run by 2 friendly and informative and efficient brothers.
Sleeping outside (sofa or lounge) cost EUR 7.
There is a nice lounge outside with hammock.
Young crowd.
Location is a bit hidden, in the old town and near the main pedestrian street.
Parking is available but I think driving inside hilly old town is stressful.
For facilities, I heard from other travelers, that City Hostel is better.
What I liked:
- Location, a bit hidden, but close to the attractions.
- The staff, 2 efficient and informative brothers.
- The common places for social encounter, there are 3 places, the top floor, the lobby, and outdoor lounge.
Montenegro
Kotor
Hostel Cent
Booked at Booking.com for EUR 11 for 8 bed dormitory.
What I liked:
- The location inside the Old Town, near the north gate.
- Quiet. Compared to other hostels in the Old Town, this is not a party hostel, you can have a good sleep.
- The bed provided with individual power socket and lights on each bed. Big locker was provided too.
What I didn't like:
- The staff was cold and lack of smile, though they answered my questions.
- Lack of information on day tours or bus.
Old Town Hostel
Booked by walk-in. I think it was about EUR 12 for 10 bed dorm.
The most popular hostel in Kotor, hosted in a historical mansion.
Run by young people.
Party hostel with pub crawl every night, so better prepare eye shade and ear plug.
Lobby, room, main kitchen are in different buildings but close to each other.
I think the travel agent opposite (360 monte) is the same company.
Had one incident with this hostel, they didn't return my passport and I forgot to ask them.
Just found out in the border with Albania after 4 hours bus drive.
However, the hostel staff managed to arrange one guest to deliver my passport to Ulcinj.
What I liked:
- Atmosphere of old mansion.
- The dorm room has bathroom and small kitchen.
What I didn't like:
- Young crowd means dirty room and un-responsible behavior and noisy.
- My bed had no power socket and lighting.
Montenegro Hostel
Didn't actually stay here, just walked in to ask about the day tour they arrange.
The day trip they arranged looks good.
Ulcinj
Pirate Hostel
Didn't actually stay in this hotel, I came here to take my lost passport delivered here.
The hostel lady was nice, welcome me though I didn't stay there.
It was located a bit up on the hill side, about 10 minutes walking from the bus terminal and about 20-30 minutes walking to the beach and old town.
Nice place with garden.
It is in the Balkan Backpacker network.
Slovenia
Ljubljana
Hostel Tresor
Booked at Booking.com for EUR 58 for twin room with shared bathroom.
What I liked:
- Location. Perfectly located on the pedestrian street near the main square.
- Elevator. Good to save energy to the 4th floor.
- Nice decoration, a boutique hostel.
What I didn't like:
- The price is at the expensive side.
- The window blinds in my room was severely damaged.
- I think there was somebody puked in the elevator that the smell was still there during my stay.
Lake Bled
Youth Hostel and Pension Bledec
Booked at Booking.com at 5 bed dorm room for EUR 13.04 (10% discount if you have HI card) per bed without breakfast.
HI member gets 10% discount.
What I liked:
- Location. Not far from the lake and walkable from city center.
- Parking area and the kitchen.
- The young boy staff during my stay at the night shift was really nice and helpful, helping us planning the trip.
- The bed was not bunk bed.
- The bathroom was in the room.
- I think the facility is better than other hostels nearby since this hostel occupies the whole house, while many other hostels in the area occupies only one floor of an apartment.
What I didn't like:
- The staff was not well informed about the day trip, the Emerald Green River Adventure trip detail and photos were on the kitchen wall, but the staff didn't know anything about it.
Stara Fuzina, Bohinj
Rooms Pekovec Bohinj
Booked at Booking.com, private twin bed room with shared bathroom for EUR 36 (plus tourist tax, EUR 1.27 per person). Breakfast was additional, EUR 7.
Family run small and old, but comfy hotel in the pretty village of Stara Fuzina. Feel like being hosted by a local village family.
What I liked:
- Good value for a private room, though the bathroom is shared.
- Warm and hearty hosts and breakfast (additional cost). The owner lady who speaks English doesn't stay in the hotel, so if you come late, the mother will host, who cannot speak English, but speaks German. There is strong rakija welcome drink.
- I changed my schedule to arrive one day earlier, and the lady owner accommodated well, we communicated well through emails.
Bovec
Hostel Soca Rocks
Walked in, got dorm room for private use for us, paid EUR 24.
Bright, large, garden with hammock, bar, and lots of activities.
The bar closed at midnight, due to fierce neighbors, loud is not allowed after midnight.
The rubber bracelet of the hostel offered discount to some restaurants and cafe.
Piran
Bed and Breakfast Donatella
Booked Double Room with Shared Bathroom for EUR 40 (plus tourist tax EUR 1.27 per person) at Booking.com. Parking was additional EUR 10, at location outside the Old Town, had to ride free bus going to the Old Town.
What I liked:
- My room was upgraded, from double room with shared bathroom to suite (apartment) on the top floor, with balcony and private bathroom. Great. This made my review is not helpful for other guests, I think.
- Donatella and her father are kind, helping me parking my car in the parking area outside the Old Town (free bus transfer required).
- Location inside the Old Town and 10 meters to the sea (to swim). The hotel is located above the restaurant by the same owner. Many other restaurants nearby.
What I didn't like:
- Driving the car to the Old Town was difficult, the parking area was outside the Old Town.
The arrangement was a bit difficult, I needed to get the key card from the hotel first, then go to the parking lot to park my car, then back to the hotel by free bus. Google Map direction leaded me to a blocked street, so I stopped my car somewhere on the street, and walking to the hotel seeking help. Without help from Donatello's father, I would have not made it.
Hostel Val
http://www.hostel-val.com/?lang=en
Didn't actually stay, but my friend recommended this hostel.
Located in the Old Town, near the sea, good for swimming.
