The Hostelz.com Review
Mama's Hostel is one of the only two hostels located in the heart of Krakow's Old Town. Entry is off Bracka street, about fifty steps from the main square through the gate on the left side of the street and up the stairs on the 3rd floor.
Similarly to many other Krakow hostels, Mama's offers free breakfast (toast, jam, tea, coffee: simple standard fare), free internet use (always a nice bonus), free linens. The unexpected bonus is the free laundry. This is really the best amenity/trick I've seen around. You get your laundry done for free, saving you time and money, with a caveat, a good caveat, that you might just have to extend your stay to wait for your clothes to dry.
The service is a highlight. The reception is staffed 24 hours with fun, multi-lingual college students, who are quick to point out good places to get your hair cut, eat, drink, or party.
The rooms are large and clean with nice wooden bunks. The bathrooms are spacious and clean. There is a nice kitchen with the usual amenities and a dining room, as well as a common area with a decor reminiscent of a Parisian house of ill repute (this is meant in a complimentary manner: think wooden floors, red walls, tall windows, and old style coat hangers and lampshades). There's also a balcony opening out to a courtyard, handy for the smokers.
All in all, a good value hostel, with a perfect location in an amazing city.
Similarly to many other Krakow hostels, Mama's offers free breakfast (toast, jam, tea, coffee: simple standard fare), free internet use (always a nice bonus), free linens. The unexpected bonus is the free laundry. This is really the best amenity/trick I've seen around. You get your laundry done for free, saving you time and money, with a caveat, a good caveat, that you might just have to extend your stay to wait for your clothes to dry.
The service is a highlight. The reception is staffed 24 hours with fun, multi-lingual college students, who are quick to point out good places to get your hair cut, eat, drink, or party.
The rooms are large and clean with nice wooden bunks. The bathrooms are spacious and clean. There is a nice kitchen with the usual amenities and a dining room, as well as a common area with a decor reminiscent of a Parisian house of ill repute (this is meant in a complimentary manner: think wooden floors, red walls, tall windows, and old style coat hangers and lampshades). There's also a balcony opening out to a courtyard, handy for the smokers.
All in all, a good value hostel, with a perfect location in an amazing city.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
December 2005
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Mama's Hostel - Main Market Square Details
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Mama's Hostel - Main Market Square Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Nice, shame about the nightclub downstairs Seemed pretty clean, and the staff were friendly enough and it is located very close to the main square in Krakow which is good. However it is up some (pretty steep) stairs on the third floor of a building which has a night club open until 6am on the first floor, so it is almost impossible to get any real sleep unless you have earplugs. They also could do with an extra bathroom/toilet as there was frequently a queue in the mornings. — Dave , United Kingdom (2010-06-26) It made my stay in Krakow perfect! I love this hostel, I had a great time staying there. it's clean and modern, the rooms are nice and the beds are comfortable. the best thing was the staff, they were really great, especially a girl named kasia who always was happy and ready to help out with any problem or question I had. I recommend it. — Johan , Sweden (2009-03-07) Fantastic This hostel was one of the best i stayed in the whole time i was traveling. Most of the staff are very friendly, it's in a great location, you meet loads of people, and it's kept very clean. — emma , england (2007-07-28) My favorite hostel in Europe Over the course of six nights, I stayed in four of the seven rooms at this hostel. The staff works hard every day to clean each of them, as well as the bathrooms. A couple suggestions on the bathrooms -- better ventilation would help them cool off and dry out faster. Also all four bathrooms have showers, which means that if four people are showering, nobody can use the toilet. A toilet-only bathroom or two would be a big plus in the morning. Also, it does get hot in the place if it's warm outside. But air conditioning is a rarity in Poland, and Mama's is no exception. Deal with it or be prepared to pay a lot more for a bed. That aside, it's a great place to stay. The staff is fantastic and I got to know most of them before I left. The building has a bar, dance club, and internet cafe. The balcony overlooks a courtyard with two restaurants. And you are just steps off the main square! They don't have a liquor license so you aren't forced to buy their alcohol if you want to have a few drinks in the hostel before going out. Best all was that I simply found it easy to feel at home -- this was after one night, not six. If I had the time, I would have stayed another week. — Eric , USA (2007-07-21) Great hostel, very friendly staff, internet, dvd and cds. The location is great -- just one minute from the main square. It was maybe a bit noisy. I suggest it! — LORY , ITALY (2007-04-24) I had a great time here. The place is clean and very well run with very comfy beds. The staff are also very efficient, friendly, and helpful. Location can't be beat, about ten meters from main square! And the free extras like laundry, internet, and breakfast make a big difference. — Martin (2006-09-14) A hostel paradise. — Cheng (2005-10-18) A wonderful hostel! Great location; very cheap prices; friendly staff; impressive design; big, wooden rooms; large and comfortable beds; free [basic] breakfast (I didn't try the legendary Tuesday ones); free Internet [one computer]; free laundry and drying; many clean bathrooms and showers; beautiful city. — Jonathan, Jerusalem (2005-08-09) This place sucks. Also, it's overpriced for the scant level of service and amenities that are (not) provided. Anyone and everyone seems to be let into the building at night, which is a real security concern. If I go back to Krakow, I'll stay somewhere else, anywhere else! — Melissa (2005-07-27) This was one of my least favorite hostels in over four months of travelling in Europe. They seem to be confused about whether they're a nightspot or an accommodation provider. It's right above a bar, but most of the guests seem happier to rampage through the hostel at all hours, with no consideration for anyone who wants to sleep. The spoilt princess at reception couldn't have been less concerned. I also didn't find the staff at all helpful regarding the sights and history of Krakow. They seemed more interested in flirting with the adolescent rampagers. This was the only hostel where I shortened my intended stay. Also the bathrooms could have been cleaner. Great place if you're trying to recreate the stupidity of adolescence. Bad place if you're interested in sleeping at all while you are in Krakow. I'd give it zero stars if I could. — Anonymous (2005-06-27) Great hostel, great staff. I've been travelling for 3 months and this is definitely the best one I've stayed at. — Anonymous (2005-05-04) This was a great hostel. No noise, free laundry, perfect location and a very helpful and friendly staff. I will definitely stay again during my next trip to Krakow. — Jim (2005-04-18) This hostel is great. I don't know what else you could need. Friendly staff, home-like atmosphere, perfect location. My bed was comfortable and my room very clean. There's Internet downstairs for about $1 an hour. My favorite hostel I stayed in for the month I was in Europe. — Jeff (2005-04-02) I stayed here last summer when the hostel first opened. I loved this place. It has a really friendly staff, and did anybody notice the second floor? The door sign says "Don the penetrator"?? That was funny enough — I wonder what that guy does for a living. — Ryan from Pennsylvania (2005-01-09) This hostel was awesome. It's perfect for someone who just wants to relax in Krakow (it is right next to the Main Market Square and lots of bars and cafes). Free laundry (and even a dryer!) is unheard of, but it was offered at this comfortable hostel. And the staff were so friendly and helpful. — Seattle (2004-12-17)