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Hostels Guide > Eastern Europe & Russia > Slovakia > Bratislava Hostels > Gabriel's Hostel

Gabriel's Hostel

Bratislava, Slovakia

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Hostels in Bratislava

Address	Paulinyho 1, Bratislava Map
Price	400 - 800 Slovak koruna per person and night (1 EUR=39 SK)

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The Hostelz.com Review

The best single word to describe Gabriel's hostel is "unique." Gabriel is friendly enough but it appears his hostel is an old flat into which a number of bunk beds have been pushed. The DIY handiwork is probably safe, but looks scary and the style of decor could be summarised as eclectic. There are two showers - a normal sized one and a small one - try them both for a joke!

The hostel is easy to find, whether you arrive by train, bus, or aeroplane. The hostel is in a small strip of shops in Paulinyo, just off one of the main streets, Hviezdoslavavo nam. It is also next to the US embassy, which is hard to miss, given that it now has barbed wire, police, security guards, and US military guarding it 24 hours a day. Go through past some shops and then up the stairs. Since Gabriel does not live there it is unlikely he will be there when you arrive, and even if you have emailed a time to be there previously, it is probably wiser (and easier) if you call him that day to tell him what time to meet you and let you in.

He has been having trouble with some of the neighbours and you will find rather humorous signs complaining about backpackers in the stairwell and then neighbours will not react to new faces very positively. But, having said all the above, Bratislava has a dearth of backpackers' accommodations, and whilst it may be comparatively expensive, Gabriel's hostel is one of a kind and guaranteed to give you an unforgettable experience.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review

Your Comments

This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites, we don't censor out the negative comments.
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Comment by Dade, italian

October 2007

It's like a hovel!
But Mr. Gabriel is in my heart!

Comment by Allie, US

June 2007

Traveler Beware
Words fail when describing the many reasons to avoid this hostel. Locationally, it's fine. Everything else is just plain scary. Everywhere that could have a bed squished in has one (or six) -- closets, weirdly built loft spaces with one-and-a-half-meter clearance. There is literally no common area other than hallway. The bathrooms could not be worse. Not clean, weirdly small, and the wall between the two bathroom (only one toilet worked while I was there) was glass blocks, so there was no privacy when showering. Those two bathrooms serve the two or three dozen beds. Be warned and ready to let go of all comfort if you must stay here.

Comment by Patrick

April 2006

I stayed here last year, and I wish there was something lower to put on the rating. It was the worst hostel I have ever stayed in. We stayed in a room where the ceiling was five feet above the floor. The bathroom wall is mostly clear glass, and forget it if there is ever a fire. You're toast! This place is not at all worth the money, and I would not only discourage people from staying here, I would warn against it.

Comment by Max Goodway and Lucia Giacani

January 2006

Don't go there, we had to have medical treatment after an infected lice attack, we tried sleeping for an hour or two then realised the itching wasn't from the horrible towelike sheets.. but the lice in our beds. It's a death trap its like gabriel has something against basic health and safety. I warn you not to go there, but if you have been already then i suggest you shave all your hair off and take a boiling hot shower.

Comment by Aiden

September 2005

This is the biggest dump I have ever stayed in. The cheek of the owner to call it a hostel when all it is is some guy's apartment crammed full of beds. Not only is it the dirtiest place but it has a constant smell of damp because the owner dries the sheets by hanging them off the beds. Also the bathrooms are disgusting and unhygienic and I am certain there are bedbugs in the big dorm room.

Comment by Padraig

September 2005

This place is simply the biggest kip I have ever stayed in! To start with it's not even a hostel — it's just a guy's apartment where he has tried to cram in as many beds as possible. It's overcrowded, stinks of must and dampness and it is infested with bedbugs. The bathrooms are a joke and the rooms are incredibly damp and unhealthy (the fact that the owner hangs the washed sheets off the beds in the rooms to dry doesn't exactly help either). Upon leaving, my mate had in the region of 100 bedbug bites — 30 on one arm alone! I would recommend staying in the train station for the night before going near this dive!

Comment by Anonymous

July 2005

DO NOT stay here!!! And don't trust the staff at the info desk at the train station!! We were roped into paying for the owner's taxi from the station, and when we got to the place, there were signs all up the stairs saying "STOP HOSTEL GABRIEL." The place was horrible. We saw mould growing on the pillows. The rooms were completely cramped. There was junk everywhere. We did not like the feel of it one bit! Luckily for us, the owner tried to charge us double, so that was our excuse to leave!!

Comment by Mark, Uk

June 2005

What to say? Well, it is not a very clean hostel and you are packed in. We were kind of forced into staying here by the accommodation place at the station. At the time I was like, what the hell am I doing here? And when we tried to get our money back the guy refused and was begging us to stay. Looking back I am glad we stayed. We made so many good mates in those few days and it does have a great atmosphere.

Comment by Anonymous

March 2005

Don't do it!!! There is a wall of colored glass tiles between the two bathrooms. It is dirty and a mess, and it is not a legal hostel. The big room looks like a porn set. The hot water is conditional. Remember Gabriel lives in Berlin, not in Bratislava. He asks for passports when it is not necessary — VERY dodgy! The private rooms are so small you can't stand in them, and when I was there they did not have proper doors. The room with the bunk beds is crammed. Find somewhere else — don't waste your money at Gabriel's!!!

Comment by 2 D"Uldrich und Ulrike

February 2005

Four stars for four days. Bratislava reminded me of Polish Krakow. It's a small nice city. We enjoyed our four days very much. Gabriel's Hostel's big dorm is fantastic. We did not see the owner. The manager or cleaner-girl, who looks so sexy, is extremely friendly and helpful. Just the first day we met two nice French people. The party life was perfect. Only on the last day there was a big problem in the morning on the street, with three stupid policemen. Everybody was crazy about an upcoming Bush-Putin meeting.

Comment by Pavlush

December 2004

This place is a bit funky and quirky; you will either love it or hate it. I couldn't quite decide but my girlfriend definitely hated it! The showers are a bit dodgy for the ladies, as you can see into each of them. Don't book the double room, though, because you get a room in which you can't stand up or a shelf with a wooden board across for a door. It's in a top location, though, so in that respect it is quality and so is Bratislava. I think if you stay here make sure you book the XL room. If you don't plan to spend any time at the hostel it's great because of the location. Just beware of the porno feel to the place and the pissed-off residents downstairs. Both things freaked my girlfriend out a bit!

Comment by Anonymous

November 2004

It was very bad, dirty and dusty.

Comment by Anonymous

August 2004

Although it is small, and the owner crams as many people in as possible, this hostel has great atmosphere and is conveniently situated on the main square. We stayed in one of the larger dorms and had a great time. It's definitely one of the better hostels in Bratislava.

Comment by Patrick

August 2004

We stayed here only one night and that was enough. We booked a private room, which I am convinced he ripped us off on. Our room was small and you couldn't stand up. The shower had a see-though window, so ladies beware. And forget it if there's ever a fire or something! You're basically screwed. It's a small apartment and he's just tried to cram as many people as possible in. Please don't let it stop you from going to Bratislava, though. Beautiful town, just don't waste your money at Gabriel's.

Comment by Hans, Belgium

May 2004

I had a pleasant stay in this hostel. It's cheap, and it is very close to the old center. The staff is very kind. Of course it's not as comfortable as the SAS Carlton Hotel next to Gabriel Hostel. Conclusion: a good hostel for backpackers.

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Hostels in Bratislava

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