The Hostelz.com Review
Truly located in the center of town, Al's Place lies well within the walls of Diocletian's Palace making any sight within walking distance of the hostel. Run by Al, a somewhat nutty Brit, this hostel is open from May to the end of October.
Really the only drawback to the hostel is the difficulty in finding it. Even the tourist information was unsure, and an Aussie couple asked police who didn't know. But, if you follow Al's directions and go all the way up the street from the square to the pizza place sign, then turn and go down the street with the Stella and Camper signs you'll find the hostel at number ten.
Slighty tired but perfectly functional, the only tricky part are the steps to get to reception and the rooms -- very narrow and steep and awkward with a big pack. There's a small kitchen, with the shower/bathroom right next to it. Rooms are large, airy, and cool. The hostel feels safe and secure, and is just steps away from a good bar and pizza place.
On the whole, its central location, the fact that it appears to be the only hostel in Split, and low price make it a good choice. The owner, staff, and guests are all very friendly, and willing to have a chat or beer. Al often takes groups of travelers out for a drink or dinner.
They are adding another section around the corner, but if they do not have rooms available, the hostel is quite happy to help you arrange a private room just a few streets over with a nice woman.
Really the only drawback to the hostel is the difficulty in finding it. Even the tourist information was unsure, and an Aussie couple asked police who didn't know. But, if you follow Al's directions and go all the way up the street from the square to the pizza place sign, then turn and go down the street with the Stella and Camper signs you'll find the hostel at number ten.
Slighty tired but perfectly functional, the only tricky part are the steps to get to reception and the rooms -- very narrow and steep and awkward with a big pack. There's a small kitchen, with the shower/bathroom right next to it. Rooms are large, airy, and cool. The hostel feels safe and secure, and is just steps away from a good bar and pizza place.
On the whole, its central location, the fact that it appears to be the only hostel in Split, and low price make it a good choice. The owner, staff, and guests are all very friendly, and willing to have a chat or beer. Al often takes groups of travelers out for a drink or dinner.
They are adding another section around the corner, but if they do not have rooms available, the hostel is quite happy to help you arrange a private room just a few streets over with a nice woman.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2005
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Al's Place Hostel Details
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Al's Place Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Quirky but friendly -- great for meeting other travelers This place is possibly one of the most friendly hostels I stayed at on my trip. The accommodation isn't the most modern or luxurious, unlike some of those hostels that double as hotels, but that's not the point! The atmosphere is just like sharing a flat with a group of other travelers for a couple of days -- everyone sits round the table in the kitchen together, it's impossible not to get to know people! Al is extremely helpful and well informed, and it's really useful to have an English-speaker on hand who has lived locally for several years, with recommendations for bars and restaurants and activities during the day -- it felt like we were able to easily get off the tourist trail and experience local life. This place does have its quirks though -- make sure you turn the lights off and lock the doors (there are no staff around at night) and be patient, the air conditioning does come on eventually! — Anonymous (2010-08-01) Loved it! al's place was the perfect place to start off a euro trip! traveling in early may meant that we were practically the only ones there, but al made you feel really welcome and he had tons of good tips and advice not only about split and croatia, but about traveling anywhere in europe. the rooms and bathroom were really clean and the kitchen was fine. the hostels location is perfect, because you are pretty much right next door to the palace and there's an amazing fruit and veggie market that happens every morning about five minutes' walk inside. loved it! — Jules , Canada (2009-05-11) Al's a dude, full of knowlege, and offers a laid back pad to kick it The best thing about staying at Al's is that it doesn't feel like staying at a hostel. In April the season had not started yet so it wasn't full and it felt like we were just crashing at uncle Al's place for the week. Im sure it gets a bit more full in the height of it all, but nothing like big host-spot hostels. It is a great place to come after having run the gambit with all sorts of other high-traffic hostels. It is not the frat-boy, spring break party sort of place, so all you serious travelers who seek adventure and a great host, who will most likely hang out with you and take you to cool bars and show you what to explore in the area, then follow Al's map ya scurvy dogs and hoist the colours! Eleven out of ten if you ask me. — Cole , Oregon (Cascadia) (2009-04-28) Cosy, friendly, a good laugh Great little place in centre of Old Town. Cosy and secure. Al enjoys running the hostel, he's traveled the world and knows how to make people feel at home. He even got all of us together and took us round his favourite bars. Great. — Annie T. , UK (2009-03-25) Perfect! perfect location and the feel of the hostel should hit all the right notes for people who love traveling and meeting people. — andrew , wales (2008-09-23) Best hostel ever! Loved this place. Al is a gem. — Jo , Canada (2007-07-05) Best hostel in split. Al's really friendly, and happy to show you all the best bars and restaurants. Has a kitchen and common area unlike all the other supposed "hostels" in split, and a great location in the centre of the old town. Easy to find as long as you read the directions from al. Has no silly curfews. Clean, with comfy beds. — Dave , England (2007-05-10) Al's Place was awesome! I loved it, especially having Al's wealth of information only a question away. I would definitely stay here again. Al was super interesting to talk to and it amazed me that I was able to go out to a bar with the proprietor of the hostel -- that's never happened to me before. This guy actually cares about his guests. — Jared , USA (2007-04-18) Excellent place, went for two days and stayed four. This is a real hostel and not just a couple of rooms or an ugly apartment (sorry had some bad experiences as solo traveler in Croatia). it has a cosy, friendly vibe, it has a real kitchen with everything --even a toaster -- and a kettle whenever I wanted a coffee. Both dorms have proper bathrooms and the upstairs was really nice. The guy who runs it is older than I thought but knows lots of stuff about Croatia and good bars and clubs, He's really cool but a mad humor. Split is really a great place to go and hang out -- we all went out and did things together. Everyone go to Split and go and stay at Al's place. — sally Anderson , U.S. (2007-04-18) Best Hostel. if you got to Split stay here. we stayed in the apartment, which is the the nicest courtyard ever. al is a cool guy gave us info about the area. we'll definitely be going back. — Elaine (2007-01-26) Ok place, Clean, Good Location, although impossible to find at first. We booked months in advance and he lost our booking. If we hadn't had a printed email from him, he would have told us to get lost. We didn't spend much time at the hostel as Al's sense of humour scared us. We would return if we could find nowhere else to stay. — Rowena and Catherine (2006-12-31) Stayed here twice in the Summer '06 and had lots of fun each and every night. Al is great and gives the place(s) it's unique vibe. There may not be a full on common room but put your plans on the whiteboard and it is easy to meet all the other guests. The only complaints we heard were from people who seemed to expect a hotel. Great place. — Torben (2006-12-10) Al is a very funny guy, relaxed who has a really nice place to stay in Split. Clean rooms, the staff (only Daniela) is very friendly. I recommend this place. — Filipe, Ruben and Tiago (Portugal) (2006-09-01) Small and clean. It's easy to feel comfortable. Super central place. Everything is just around the corner. Despite its central location it's really quiet. Al makes this place really special and unique. — Astrid (2006-08-03) It's a dirty place and I belive that the sheets was dirty too. — Denis (2006-06-09)