Caterina Hostel

This hostel is the home of the owner Joe (actually Josefov) and his family. It is centrally located close to Oktogon square. The nearest Metro is Oktogon at about 50m away, and there's a tram stop close by too. The building is fairly hard to find but you should have no problems following the numbers on the main street (Terez Korut). The even numbers are on one side and the odd numbers on the opposite. There is an art cinema with weird décor around the entrance to number 30. Look carefully for the button on the panel and ask to be let in.

Don't be fooled by the decrepit state of the stairway/building on the way to the fourth (top) floor. Once past the gate inside the hostel proper, Joe's place resembles an IKEA showroom. It's a very well-furnished 5-room apartment with the three rooms facing the main street serving as 6-bed dorms. The "staff" consists of Joe and his wife Caterina (and two kids). Joe is casual and friendly. Caterina is quite helpful but didn't seem as friendly or approachable.

The beds are on solid pine double deckers and are quite comfortable. A desk and chair make up the common area in the room. There is a single cupboard with a TV, but there are no lockers. The small kitchen looks good but is only available from 2pm to 7pm. There is no curfew but the rooms are closed for cleaning from 10am to 1pm. The toilets/baths are luxurious and come with with fancy light fixtures, beautiful tiles and a bathtub.

Don't expect a party. It can be a little dull here and there isn't really much of an atmosphere (this is a family home after all). It feels a little cold too, perhaps because it's so clean and there is no common area outside the rooms.

Internet access is via Joe's computer for around 100 florints for 15 minutes. Laundry is about the same price. The simple (skimpy is the word) breakfast is served in individual portions.

Overall, this is a clean, comfortable, and well-located place to stay.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review