Paupio Accomodation, previously called Uzupio Hostel, is a funny place -– and it could only be found in the Uzupis district of Vilnius. It is part of a hotel, Paupio Namai, which until fairly recently was called Uzopio Hotel. Since the dorm is part of the hotel, there is a range of hotel facilities available including a reasonable restaurant, although breakfast, which is extra, is rather ordinary.
Paupio has a reputation of being either arty or dangerous –- depending on who is asked about it -– and a "Republic of Uzupis" sign greets all visitors entering the area. There is also a Constitution on a wall near the hostel. The area grows on you slowly although the key focal point of it is the Uzupio Bar near the bridge into Uzupis -– the unofficial headquarters of the breakaway republic. And it is not uncommon to meet Vilnius' real mayor holding up the bar in the evenings. The beer and atmosphere is excellent but if you eat there, you'll regret it.
The hostel and hotel are in a big old manor house and the staff can be friendly. But don't always expect them to put Lithuania's Soviet past behind them when it comes to customer service. While the dorm is shared accommodation, the rest of the building unsurprisingly feels like a hotel and the opportunity for interaction with guests can be limited.
The hostel is only fifteen minutes walk from the old town and but a long distance from the bus and railway stations. It is too far to walk with luggage and working out buses can be very confusing, so it really is not worth the effort trying to find it if you are staying for only one night. The entrance to the hostel is around the back of the building.
If the dorm is full they also have cheap single hotel rooms available. Apparently it is not uncommon for staff to lift slightly the cost of a dorm bed, so make sure you bring your email confirmation with you.
But a visit to Vilnius would not be complete without going to Uzupis and the hostel is ideally located for that purpose. Since it is some distance out of the centre, there are few other guests and it can be quiet and it makes a nice change to the business of the city centre hostels.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2005
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