HI - Bucharest - Villa Helga Hostel

A good hostel, not great, but I'd stay there again
Villa Helga is a cut above most HI hostels in terms of personality. I found having to ring a bell and have someone let me in late at night (and early in the morning) a bit of a drag, but the premises were secure. The lounge/common room doesn't really lend itself to meeting your fellow hostelers because the TV is always on. Bathrooms are OK but for one you walk through another dorm to get to it, which is a bit annoying if you happen to be in that dorm, especially early in the morning. Breakfast is better than the usual bread and jam affair and the staff are helpful.

Whilst sporting neither fantastic facilities nor a hardcore party atmosphere, this hostel is an experience. Having spent five nights here, I experienced perhaps the most interesting five days of hostel living in my life. All the people who stay here are so cool and intelligent. And you'll usually have someone to go out with at night, too.