Bling Bling Hostel

A long time ago, Bling Bling was the pioneer backpacker hostel in Krakow. It was a breath of fresh air from the horrid accommodations and screaming groups of schoolchildren you would encounter in the YHA hostels there. However, the American founding fathers of Bling Bling have gone, leaving it under new management and what made Bling Bling unique went with them. In any other city, this hostel would be all right, perhaps even fine, but in Krakow, it compares very poorly with the other choices. The hostel is a good choice for late night arrivals. It is close to the train station (about a ten-minute walk or short, inexpensive cab ride) -- located on Pedzichow 7.

Rooms are typical if not uninspired. The bunk beds are wooden, solid, and don't squeak. However, the mattresses have seen better days -- they are worn down and dingy. The great thing about the rooms is that there is a plethora of electrical outlets. While this sounds trivial, try charging your mobile phone in a ten-bed dorm room, when there is only one outlet.

Bathrooms are all right, but could use a regular cleaning and a refill of toilet paper. Kitchen has a dining table and a cooking area for self-catering backpackers. In an interesting twist, the hostel outsources its breakfast service to a restaurant next door called "Eton." You have to question that choice. While there is nothing particularly wrong with the quality of breakfast (standard hostel fare -- toast, butter, jam, spam, cheese, corn flakes, and bad coffee), there is a shortage of clean dishes and most of the times a shortage of food items as well. You should not have to wait to eat toast.

This is a small hostel with just over thirty bed spaces. Whether it is social or not will entirely depend on the people staying there, but the small common room with a lonely computer station in the full view of the reception does not really encourage social behavior. Just head out on the town.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
May 2007