The Hostelz.com Review
Dundee Backpackers Hostel is located very close to the Dundee Rail Station. The directions on the website make it seem like a blind person shouldn't have any problems seeing the hostel, but it's literally a hole in the wall and can be difficult to find.
Coming out of the Rail Station, take a left. Walk up to the busy intersection and cross the street. Walk up (straight) the street that's directly in front of you (Union Street) and you'll see the Tay Hotel on your right. After about two hundred meters, the street will force you to turn right or left (it dead ends into the Scottish National Church). Go right and you'll see a pedestrian street/open air mall. You will have to cross one more street, then you're in the mall area (High Street). You will see a business called north rock on the left (about a hundred meters). Just next to that business is what looks like an alley, but its actually the entrance to the Hostel. The only thing identifying the hostel is a black and brown sign that is fairly small, so keep your eyes peeled.
The Location
The hostel is located on a busy pedestrian street in the heart of Dundee. No vehicles or police cars are driving past late at night, which is a nice change from other hostels we've been to. There are always people outside, but no traffic noise.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are fairly large, with nice new bunk beds (they are extremely comfortable and we slept like a rock). Linens are provided, as well as free Wi-Fi for those who bring their laptops. The bathrooms are neat and clean, so no complaints there. The doors as well as the front gate use a magnetic key-card that you just wave in front of the lock to open.
Common Spaces
There is a self catering kitchen, but there isn't enough space in the refrigerators for all the people who want to use it. The kitchen really isn't as clean as other hostels we have stayed in, which is disappointing. There is a laundry room and a game room with darts, in addition to a pool table. There is a small television room, and a dining room just off of the kitchen.
Summary
Overall, this hostel feels more like a hotel than a hostel. There is an older crowd, and it just doesn't have the type of atmosphere we are accustomed to in youth hostels. The staff are friendly enough and answer questions. Besides the kitchen being a little dirty (crumbs on the countertops, dirt in the microwave/oven, dirty dishes left in the sink), the rest of the hostel is very clean. On top of the good accommodations, there is a grocery store (Tesco) that is a short walk from the hostel so you can save a few pounds.
Our one, huge complaint about this hostel is that there are no lockers. We were under the impression that lockers, especially at a backpackers hostel, are standard issue. With this place, you are either forced to leave valuables at the front desk where you do not have access from midnight to 8 a.m., or lug your stuff around with you everywhere. When you have everything you need for your trip in Europe strapped to your back, the last thing you should have to worry about is coming home to find someone else has strapped your stuff to their back.
Coming out of the Rail Station, take a left. Walk up to the busy intersection and cross the street. Walk up (straight) the street that's directly in front of you (Union Street) and you'll see the Tay Hotel on your right. After about two hundred meters, the street will force you to turn right or left (it dead ends into the Scottish National Church). Go right and you'll see a pedestrian street/open air mall. You will have to cross one more street, then you're in the mall area (High Street). You will see a business called north rock on the left (about a hundred meters). Just next to that business is what looks like an alley, but its actually the entrance to the Hostel. The only thing identifying the hostel is a black and brown sign that is fairly small, so keep your eyes peeled.
The Location
The hostel is located on a busy pedestrian street in the heart of Dundee. No vehicles or police cars are driving past late at night, which is a nice change from other hostels we've been to. There are always people outside, but no traffic noise.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are fairly large, with nice new bunk beds (they are extremely comfortable and we slept like a rock). Linens are provided, as well as free Wi-Fi for those who bring their laptops. The bathrooms are neat and clean, so no complaints there. The doors as well as the front gate use a magnetic key-card that you just wave in front of the lock to open.
Common Spaces
There is a self catering kitchen, but there isn't enough space in the refrigerators for all the people who want to use it. The kitchen really isn't as clean as other hostels we have stayed in, which is disappointing. There is a laundry room and a game room with darts, in addition to a pool table. There is a small television room, and a dining room just off of the kitchen.
Summary
Overall, this hostel feels more like a hotel than a hostel. There is an older crowd, and it just doesn't have the type of atmosphere we are accustomed to in youth hostels. The staff are friendly enough and answer questions. Besides the kitchen being a little dirty (crumbs on the countertops, dirt in the microwave/oven, dirty dishes left in the sink), the rest of the hostel is very clean. On top of the good accommodations, there is a grocery store (Tesco) that is a short walk from the hostel so you can save a few pounds.
Our one, huge complaint about this hostel is that there are no lockers. We were under the impression that lockers, especially at a backpackers hostel, are standard issue. With this place, you are either forced to leave valuables at the front desk where you do not have access from midnight to 8 a.m., or lug your stuff around with you everywhere. When you have everything you need for your trip in Europe strapped to your back, the last thing you should have to worry about is coming home to find someone else has strapped your stuff to their back.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
April 2009
Their Description
Dundee Backpackers Hostel Details
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