Readers tips ... boutique hostels
Each week we run a section in the Guardian newspaper's travel section, asking for readers to send in tips on a particular subject. The best tip wins a digital camera courtesy of Jessops. Find out more here.
Winning tip
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Langholmen Hostel, Stockholm, Sweden
Posted by MrGumby2 12
It might be a former prison, but the idyllic setting of Langholmen's now pretty posh hostel is a far remove from any institution we'd ever heard of. Staying in the (extensively upgraded) original cells (which sleep up to 4 people) was not only clean and comfortable, but positively deluxe compared to other hostels we'd stayed in across Europe, even coming complete with free wireless web access in all the rooms. Located bang in the heart of Stockholm, we were on top of all the sights and restaurants, though we spent plenty of time on the beach right outside the hostel entrance and exploring the 'jogging' trail. Probably the most unusual and delightful hostel experience ever, and certainly cheap for such accommodation in Scandinavia.
+46 8 720 8500
www.langholmen.com
From Arlanda airport, take the coach or train then subway to Horsnstull, along Langholmsgatan, turn left before the bridge at Hogalidsgatan, then right at the traffic lights, over the bridge and on to the island of Langholmen
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Casa Internazionale Delle Donne, Rome, Italy
Posted by dantom
This is a 'heavenly' boutique hostel for women in 18th century convent in the old Trastevere district of Rome, close to the river Tiber. The old cells are very large, airy, calm, clean, simple and beautifully furnished, and look out onto a peaceful courtyard where you can eat and drink. A restful place, professionally run, and only 25 euros a night for bed and breakfast. A great place for women to stay.
www.casainternazionaledelledonne.org
On the Via della Lungara,a bus ride from the Roma Trastevere railway station, and easy walking across the river to the great sites.
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Gwindelwald youth hostel, Grindelwald, Switzerland
Posted by flong
A traditional wooden chalet style hostel only 10 minutes walk from the train station, with a south facing terrace, and views over the mountains.
Many rooms have en suite toilet and showers and even double beds, but much cheaper that a hotel, and no age barriers. The common room has an open fireplace and wood provided so that guests can make up a fire for themselves in the evening. Large meals are provided by friendly staff, who are also happy to advise on local outings; or you can self-cater. It is a minutes' walk from the bus stop for Bussalp. Bussalp is a sunny south facing mountain where you can hire a sledge and spend the day sliding all the way back down the mountain on special paths to the bus stop and hostel. (The hostel also hires out sledges.) Sledging is an easier and cheaper way of having fun and admiring the scenery than skiing.
www.youthhostel.ch
0041 33 853 10 09
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Circus Hostel, Berlin, Germany
Posted by BrightonB
Compared to other hostels around the world I would definitely rate Circus as a boutique hostel. You can choose between dorm style or private rooms. Dorm beds cost from 15€ and are fun if you go with a group (note: no hen or stag parties allowed).
Last time I rented a private room with ensuite bathroom and it was cleaner and bigger than the last expensive hotel room I was in. Rates were about 38€ per night for the private room.
The staff are ever so friendly and speak lots of languages including perfect English. They also have lots of money saving tips for you including a weekend metro card that gets you and a friend unlimited travel on the S and U Bahn.
The hostel is in Mitte which is in central Berlin and therefore not too far from most sights and easy walking distance to funky areas such as Prenzlauer Berg.
Oh, and they do a great all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast for only 5€!
www.circus-berlin.de
Weinbergsweg 1a
10119 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 28391433
U Bahn: Rosenthaler Platz (very close)
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Cracow Hostel, Kracow, Poland
Posted by Garvey1
We stayed in Hostel Cracow, a charming £13 per night per person hostel in the centre of Krakow. Situated on the stunning Market Square and surrounded by beautiful traditional buildings, the views from the rooms are sublime. Included in this purse friendly price is breakfast, unlimited tea and coffee throughout the day, internet use and lockers (for which the hostel supply padlocks and keys).
The hostel has a comfortable, homely feel, it is bright and airy and spotlessly clean. Reception is manned on a 24 hour basis, the staff are extremely friendly, so don't hesitate to ask them the best places to eat and most interesting places to visit.
Something about Hostel Cracow seems to appeal to everyone; backpackers, elderly couples and families. An absolute gem of a hostel!
Cracow Hostel, The Main Market Square 18, 31-008 Krakow.
0124291106,
www.cracowhostel.com
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Dragushinovo Boutique Hostel, Rila, Bulgaria
Posted by Sissi
Set in the heart of the Rila National Park, this hostel is the chicest place to stay if you're planning on hitting the slopes at Borovets ski resort, just ten minutes away.
We missed out on the snow, but enjoyed hiking and mountain biking around Lake Iskar. Great for thrill-seekers, the owners also organise wakeboarding, waterskiing, sailing, and fishing on the lake, and horse riding or off-road motor biking.
Despite the rugged setting, surrounded by acres of flora and fauna, the rooms are surprisingly stylish and large apartments.
The restaurant will even prepare a packed lunch for a day in the great outdoors, and the swimming pool and jacuzzi are a welcome respite after a hard day's hike!
www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/bulgaria/dragushinovo/44166/
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Miss Sophie's, Prague, Czech Republic
Posted by Fian
A friend and I were looking for budget accommodation in Prague and stumbled upon 'Miss Sophies'. We booked a twin room for £50 per night which we considered a bargain for such a clean, modern hostel in a great location.
It was everything we needed, with friendly English speaking staff, comfy beds, fantastic modern bathroom and a communal kitchen and lounge in the basement where you could chat and eat with other guests.
www.miss-sophies.com/
Melounova 3
120 00 Prague 2
Winning tip
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Langholmen Hostel, Stockholm, Sweden
Posted by MrGumby2 12
It might be a former prison, but the idyllic setting of Langholmen's now pretty posh hostel is a far remove from any institution we'd ever heard of. Staying in the (extensively upgraded) original cells (which sleep up to 4 people) was not only clean and comfortable, but positively deluxe compared to other hostels we'd stayed in across Europe, even coming complete with free wireless web access in all the rooms. Located bang in the heart of Stockholm, we were on top of all the sights and restaurants, though we spent plenty of time on the beach right outside the hostel entrance and exploring the 'jogging' trail. Probably the most unusual and delightful hostel experience ever, and certainly cheap for such accommodation in Scandinavia.
+46 8 720 8500
www.langholmen.com
From Arlanda airport, take the coach or train then subway to Horsnstull, along Langholmsgatan, turn left before the bridge at Hogalidsgatan, then right at the traffic lights, over the bridge and on to the island of Langholmen
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Casa Internazionale Delle Donne, Rome, Italy
Posted by dantom
This is a 'heavenly' boutique hostel for women in 18th century convent in the old Trastevere district of Rome, close to the river Tiber. The old cells are very large, airy, calm, clean, simple and beautifully furnished, and look out onto a peaceful courtyard where you can eat and drink. A restful place, professionally run, and only 25 euros a night for bed and breakfast. A great place for women to stay.
www.casainternazionaledelledonne.org
On the Via della Lungara,a bus ride from the Roma Trastevere railway station, and easy walking across the river to the great sites.
________________________________________________________________
Gwindelwald youth hostel, Grindelwald, Switzerland
Posted by flong
A traditional wooden chalet style hostel only 10 minutes walk from the train station, with a south facing terrace, and views over the mountains.
Many rooms have en suite toilet and showers and even double beds, but much cheaper that a hotel, and no age barriers. The common room has an open fireplace and wood provided so that guests can make up a fire for themselves in the evening. Large meals are provided by friendly staff, who are also happy to advise on local outings; or you can self-cater. It is a minutes' walk from the bus stop for Bussalp. Bussalp is a sunny south facing mountain where you can hire a sledge and spend the day sliding all the way back down the mountain on special paths to the bus stop and hostel. (The hostel also hires out sledges.) Sledging is an easier and cheaper way of having fun and admiring the scenery than skiing.
www.youthhostel.ch
0041 33 853 10 09
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Circus Hostel, Berlin, Germany
Posted by BrightonB
Compared to other hostels around the world I would definitely rate Circus as a boutique hostel. You can choose between dorm style or private rooms. Dorm beds cost from 15€ and are fun if you go with a group (note: no hen or stag parties allowed).
Last time I rented a private room with ensuite bathroom and it was cleaner and bigger than the last expensive hotel room I was in. Rates were about 38€ per night for the private room.
The staff are ever so friendly and speak lots of languages including perfect English. They also have lots of money saving tips for you including a weekend metro card that gets you and a friend unlimited travel on the S and U Bahn.
The hostel is in Mitte which is in central Berlin and therefore not too far from most sights and easy walking distance to funky areas such as Prenzlauer Berg.
Oh, and they do a great all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast for only 5€!
www.circus-berlin.de
Weinbergsweg 1a
10119 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 28391433
U Bahn: Rosenthaler Platz (very close)
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Cracow Hostel, Kracow, Poland
Posted by Garvey1
We stayed in Hostel Cracow, a charming £13 per night per person hostel in the centre of Krakow. Situated on the stunning Market Square and surrounded by beautiful traditional buildings, the views from the rooms are sublime. Included in this purse friendly price is breakfast, unlimited tea and coffee throughout the day, internet use and lockers (for which the hostel supply padlocks and keys).
The hostel has a comfortable, homely feel, it is bright and airy and spotlessly clean. Reception is manned on a 24 hour basis, the staff are extremely friendly, so don't hesitate to ask them the best places to eat and most interesting places to visit.
Something about Hostel Cracow seems to appeal to everyone; backpackers, elderly couples and families. An absolute gem of a hostel!
Cracow Hostel, The Main Market Square 18, 31-008 Krakow.
0124291106,
www.cracowhostel.com
________________________________________________________________
Dragushinovo Boutique Hostel, Rila, Bulgaria
Posted by Sissi
Set in the heart of the Rila National Park, this hostel is the chicest place to stay if you're planning on hitting the slopes at Borovets ski resort, just ten minutes away.
We missed out on the snow, but enjoyed hiking and mountain biking around Lake Iskar. Great for thrill-seekers, the owners also organise wakeboarding, waterskiing, sailing, and fishing on the lake, and horse riding or off-road motor biking.
Despite the rugged setting, surrounded by acres of flora and fauna, the rooms are surprisingly stylish and large apartments.
The restaurant will even prepare a packed lunch for a day in the great outdoors, and the swimming pool and jacuzzi are a welcome respite after a hard day's hike!
www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/bulgaria/dragushinovo/44166/
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Miss Sophie's, Prague, Czech Republic
Posted by Fian
A friend and I were looking for budget accommodation in Prague and stumbled upon 'Miss Sophies'. We booked a twin room for £50 per night which we considered a bargain for such a clean, modern hostel in a great location.
It was everything we needed, with friendly English speaking staff, comfy beds, fantastic modern bathroom and a communal kitchen and lounge in the basement where you could chat and eat with other guests.
www.miss-sophies.com/
Melounova 3
120 00 Prague 2