The Hostelz.com Review
HI - Cluj-Napoca - Retro Hostel is a neat hostel located in the central part of Cluj Napoca, Romania, open year-round. The price is one of the lowest in the city, you have all the basics that are to be expected from a hostel, and the place is remarkably clean.
The Location
The location is very good. It is just in the center of Cluj Napoca, within a very short walking distance of the major sites (the two museums and the Szeky Palace as well as an ice field where you can skate in winter are all just two minutes from the hostel) and very easy to reach. If you come by train, you can even walk to the hostel if you do not mind a thirty-minute walk. From the main train station, just get on Strada Horea, walk for about a kilometer, then turn left on Piata Unirii and look for Strada Potaissa.
The hostel is two minutes from St. Michael’s Cathedral so if you are not sure about your way, ask someone to direct you to the cathedral. You could take a taxi, or there are also trams and buses if you prefer public transportation. The staff also told us there are good transportation options to the airport, which should not be a surprise as the hostel is very centrally located.
Rooms and Bathrooms
At Retro Youth hostel, you can choose between dorms and private rooms; there are blankets, linens, and beds (that are a little bit squeaky) for both types of rooms. The linens are replaced regularly and the rooms are very clean. The six-bed rooms have three bunk beds that can make some noise if the person above is a bit heavier and do not leave much space in the rooms, which are quite small. The furniture is not much -- just a table with two chairs.
There are no lockers, but if you want, you can leave some luggage at the reception. The place is clean and there are no exotic smells or stains anywhere.
There are bathrooms on both floors. They are very clean, quite modern and the water is very hot, so be careful. There are enough showers (five on a floor) but only a toilet for each sex on a floor, which might be a problem. The showers are quite small and the floor is slippery, so be careful when you take a shower -- we advise you to take slippers. The bathrooms are thoroughly cleaned daily around midnight, so you might need to wait twenty minutes for a shower around that time.
Common Spaces
There is no common space where you can actually meet the other people at the hostel, which might be a problem if you want to gather a crowd for going out. The atmosphere at the Retro Youth hostel is quiet. It is by no means a party hostel and drunken behavior is not tolerated. You can enjoy a quite peaceful stay and you can expect zero trouble at the hostel. The hostel sells beers and the prices are not much higher than buying it elsewhere, but there is not really a place where you can drink it enjoying some social atmosphere.
Amenities include a laundry room with for-pay washers and dryer; a kitchen with plenty of stove space, a refrigerator, all kind of utensils, a great variety of free tea; and two computers with internet access (but they do not function during the night) as well as Wi-Fi. You must check out by noon. One good thing is that there is no deposit.
The staff are extremely helpful and approachable and they can answer quite efficiently most of your questions concerning the city. You pay for your bed in Romanian lei so you need to have local currency when you get there.
Summary
Overall, the hostel is good and you receive good value for your money. We would definitely go there if we visit Cluj Napoca again.
The Location
The location is very good. It is just in the center of Cluj Napoca, within a very short walking distance of the major sites (the two museums and the Szeky Palace as well as an ice field where you can skate in winter are all just two minutes from the hostel) and very easy to reach. If you come by train, you can even walk to the hostel if you do not mind a thirty-minute walk. From the main train station, just get on Strada Horea, walk for about a kilometer, then turn left on Piata Unirii and look for Strada Potaissa.
The hostel is two minutes from St. Michael’s Cathedral so if you are not sure about your way, ask someone to direct you to the cathedral. You could take a taxi, or there are also trams and buses if you prefer public transportation. The staff also told us there are good transportation options to the airport, which should not be a surprise as the hostel is very centrally located.
Rooms and Bathrooms
At Retro Youth hostel, you can choose between dorms and private rooms; there are blankets, linens, and beds (that are a little bit squeaky) for both types of rooms. The linens are replaced regularly and the rooms are very clean. The six-bed rooms have three bunk beds that can make some noise if the person above is a bit heavier and do not leave much space in the rooms, which are quite small. The furniture is not much -- just a table with two chairs.
There are no lockers, but if you want, you can leave some luggage at the reception. The place is clean and there are no exotic smells or stains anywhere.
There are bathrooms on both floors. They are very clean, quite modern and the water is very hot, so be careful. There are enough showers (five on a floor) but only a toilet for each sex on a floor, which might be a problem. The showers are quite small and the floor is slippery, so be careful when you take a shower -- we advise you to take slippers. The bathrooms are thoroughly cleaned daily around midnight, so you might need to wait twenty minutes for a shower around that time.
Common Spaces
There is no common space where you can actually meet the other people at the hostel, which might be a problem if you want to gather a crowd for going out. The atmosphere at the Retro Youth hostel is quiet. It is by no means a party hostel and drunken behavior is not tolerated. You can enjoy a quite peaceful stay and you can expect zero trouble at the hostel. The hostel sells beers and the prices are not much higher than buying it elsewhere, but there is not really a place where you can drink it enjoying some social atmosphere.
Amenities include a laundry room with for-pay washers and dryer; a kitchen with plenty of stove space, a refrigerator, all kind of utensils, a great variety of free tea; and two computers with internet access (but they do not function during the night) as well as Wi-Fi. You must check out by noon. One good thing is that there is no deposit.
The staff are extremely helpful and approachable and they can answer quite efficiently most of your questions concerning the city. You pay for your bed in Romanian lei so you need to have local currency when you get there.
Summary
Overall, the hostel is good and you receive good value for your money. We would definitely go there if we visit Cluj Napoca again.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
January 2011
Their Description
HI - Cluj-Napoca - Retro Hostel Details
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HI - Cluj-Napoca - Retro Hostel Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Great Locaton, Helpful staff, and very clean A good place to stay. Enjoyed my stay there. — George , Bulgaria (2011-01-30) Clean and central The hostel is in the middle of the city, near the University. There are two large dorm rooms, which along with the showers and toilets are kept clean. The kitchen is small and pokey, but it has enough stuff to cook your own meals. Breakfast is overpriced and no one had it while I was there. There is a downstairs cellar with a table and chairs which is meant for socialising and eating but it didn't seem to get much use during my stay -- it's rather isolated. The staff are friendly and helpful. The tours they offer certainly aren't pushed on you -- it seems that it's up to guests to organise enough people for the minimum number of starters required -- and they seem reasonably priced. Overall it's a good place to stay, and the only hostel in town. — Mike , Australia (2007-07-28) This place was great. It was the cleanest I have seen around Europe. The bathroom is very, very clean and the decoration in the room was really cool. Staff are very helpful and the place has a cozy feel to it. I hope they get the common area done up. Highly recommended. — Smukii (2005-08-14) Hands down the best hostel during my travels. The staff are awesome, they will help you with anything you need (renting a car, finding a cool concert to go to, finding authentic/cheap places to eat). It has a really chill atmosphere and is very clean. The showers, laundry, and beds are excellent. Radu is the coolest! — Brad the Destroyer - Omaha, NE USA (2005-06-20) Just wanna add my opinion. It was excellent even though I was there in low season (January 2005). Beds, rooms, bathrooms, staff, location, and the people that I met there were all great. Thank you all, and go in high season, you'll find lots of excursions. It's the only one in Cluj, but it's perfect. (To Kimberly from Scotland: I didn't understand anything you told me, even when we met back in Bucuresti, sorry :-) You're cute though.) — Simon the french (2005-04-25) I stayed at Retro Hostel more than once over 2003-2004 while in I was in Romania for an extended break. I can quite honestly say that it is the best place I've had the pleasure to stay in. I was made to feel like a friend rather than a punter paying for a bed, and was given the most helpful and accurate advice for the rest of my stay in the country. The place was spotless, the facilities more than adequate, and it's situated well, close to the action and attractions of the city. Stay there!!! — roaming ginna (2005-03-16) This hostel was clean and friendly, but for Romania it's a bit expensive. — Anonymous (2004-11-13) I stayed at this wonderful place for five nights and I must say that I enjoyed it very much. Apart from the accommodation, the staff took us on a day trip to the Ice Cave in the mountains, an incredible place on a very long trip as well. For a cheap stay and trips around Transylvania, go there. — Antonio (2004-10-24) Despite the lack of space and the fact that sound carries, this hostel is still so damn cool. The beds are extremely comfy, and the staff are really welcoming. Downstairs is the cellar, where you have breakfast (and often, late-night philosophical debates, among other things). Upstairs are an airy TV lounge and a homely dorm. Hello Chris, Radu, Ena. I urge people to go on Chris's pub crawls. — Tara (2004-10-05) Surely one of the best hostels in Europe. If you are coming from Budapest, there is no excuse not to stay here. The staff are incredibly friendly and will bend over backwards for you, and the atmosphere is relaxed and social. Did I mention that Cluj is a great little city as well? — T. G. (2004-07-17) I was lost in this country totally inknown for me. When I arrived in Cluj Napoca, I found this hostel, and I felt immidiately at home when I stepped inside. We had great fun and they gave me useful information and relevant advice. It's the first place you have to go if you want to have a great trip. In this hostel, it's more than simple bed you have, you are welcome at anytime of day and night! — Layla (2004-01-30) Nice, clean hostel (the only one in town that I am aware of), with extremelely helpful proprieter, the beds are comfy, the place is slightly cramped for space (part of the reason I've given it 4 stars), and the location is down a back alley but STILL close to everything downtown. So in another words, you want a great, clean place to stay, that is close to everything and has friendly people, choose this place. — Flyerbri (2003-10-04)