The Hostelz.com Review
Contrary to the impression that one might get from their website, this place is really nice and very well run. The location is amazing -- turn into the street from the main road and you'll see the Acropolis looming at the other end, with about a ten minute walk to the entrance.
The rooms are all very clean and neat; towels and bedding are provided. There's air conditioning in every room, an absolute must in the hot Greek summers (though it might even be powerful enough for you to wake up freezing in the middle of the night), and a pleasant courtyard with overhead fans and a big-screen TV. They even have their very own travel agent, who'll be happy to book you onto an expensive day trip or help you make arrangements to visit the islands.
The Plaka, the neighborhood where ST&I is situated, is a big tourist trap, but nice nonetheless. There's no shortage of restaurants near the hostel, nor of souvenir shops or convenience stores with cheap beer - the signs say not to bring outside food into the courtyard but nobody really seems to mind.
The big downside to this place is the price, but it's not entirely unreasonable given the location in the heart of the Plaka. Still, you would think there might be an included breakfast, for what you're paying, rather than an a la carte menu and a cook who might have to run across the street to buy bacon once in a while.
The rooms are all very clean and neat; towels and bedding are provided. There's air conditioning in every room, an absolute must in the hot Greek summers (though it might even be powerful enough for you to wake up freezing in the middle of the night), and a pleasant courtyard with overhead fans and a big-screen TV. They even have their very own travel agent, who'll be happy to book you onto an expensive day trip or help you make arrangements to visit the islands.
The Plaka, the neighborhood where ST&I is situated, is a big tourist trap, but nice nonetheless. There's no shortage of restaurants near the hostel, nor of souvenir shops or convenience stores with cheap beer - the signs say not to bring outside food into the courtyard but nobody really seems to mind.
The big downside to this place is the price, but it's not entirely unreasonable given the location in the heart of the Plaka. Still, you would think there might be an included breakfast, for what you're paying, rather than an a la carte menu and a cook who might have to run across the street to buy bacon once in a while.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
October 2004
Their Description
HI - Athens - Student & Travellers Inn Hostel Details
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HI - Athens - Student & Travellers Inn Hostel Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
mmm check out cine paris but go sleep some place else Location is impeccable! unfortunately we were thrown into the overflow section at 28€ per night, bottom floor, no windows, dirrrrrrttty hairy bed sheets (nothing like in the pictures)... ohh yess, and there were cockroaches!! First time in my life I've ever had to deal with those, nearly had a heart attack, I even flicked one off of the bar tenders shoulder because he was frozen with fear ( hahah poor guy). Bathrooms.. GROSS!
There is a nice bar, t.v. computers. The location is incredible, restaurants nearby are delicious and the nightlife is great-- super close to an outdoor movie theater "Cine Paris," a movie playing to the front of you, the acropolis is lit up to the left of you, the stars above you- its beautiful.
verdict- check out cine paris but sleep some place else — Krista , Canada (2010-04-29) Very good This hostel was a little more expensive than the others in the area, but it's in a great location and the staff are friendly. I stayed here in April 2002 and again in June 2002. They have dorms, which are not segregated by gender -- which was kind of a relief after sharing with some luggage-laden bimbos previously. A lot of the rooms have balconies looking out over the street and private bathrooms (four people in a dorm sharing one bathroom). I met some great people here. — Axerati , Australia (2007-09-14) Avoid this hostel. took the bus from the pink palace. my sisters and myself and some others choose to stay here. worst mistake ever. only thing good about this hostel is its location to the acropolis. our room was beyond disgusting. leaks, dirty sheets, just dirt on everything, bathroom on our floor was a toilet that didnt work, and a sink. to get in you had to straddle toilet just to get the door closed, bathroom was covered in filth. the hostel moved our room without our knowledge while we were out for the day. the next room was just as bad. people we met in the hostel, like us booked out early. travel agent in the hostel was never around and tried to over charge us insanely for a ticket to santorini. — Hayley , canadian (2007-04-12) We stayed four nights in June, 2004. We had a comfortable double bed, clean sheets and towels, a private bathroom with a powerful shower and excellent air conditioning. We paid 55 euros for two per night. The furnishing was short on cupboards but what do we expect at this price in the middle of Plaka?
HINT ABOUT SYSTEM: As guests check out so the room number is put on the cleaners' sheet for action. If you stay more than one night then you need to tell reception that you require a cleaner. This way you get clean bins, towels and sheets every day. It's better than some quite expensive hotels.
The only gripe: I have never before seen so many ill-mannered young people gathered together in one place, several nationalities though largely French and American. In our experience, the hostel was of a higher standard than its guests. — Judith (2005-08-24) Very helpful staff, especially the travel desk staff, who offered trips and tickets to the islands. Not the cleanest rooms, but livable. Breakfast was good, and the location was great. Don't take the walking tour, it is totally unprofessional. — Wes (2005-08-18) The location is wonderful. Plaka is really charming. If the noise from the restaurants bother you, you can always use earplugs, although it's not really that loud. And it's within walking distance of most attractions.
The place is very clean, except for the bathrooms — but that is always a problem. I saw them cleaning the bathrooms a few times a day, but you can't expect it to be home-clean when there are so many people using it. The only thing I missed were hooks to hang clothes on while in the shower. And there are no lockers in the rooms.
This is the hostel that I'd definitely choose again when travelling to Athens. — Dali (2005-07-20) My friend and I stayed here about four weeks ago and it is probably one of the best hostels we've stayed at in our 12 weeks of travelling. It's clean and the beds are so comfy. The only downsides were:
—The price. It was a bit expensive but well worth it.
—The bathroom had no light for the first couple of days of our stay. You have to get out of the courtyard at midnight.
Otherwise, the beer is cheap, the location is ace and the people are really friendly. There's cheaper Internet down the road and the breakfast is a rip off. Walk 100m down the road to a little place that sells gyros for 1.50 euros each. Yum. — Brucey (2005-06-16) I stayed here March 2005 — a clean hostel in an excellent location. Food was not available during my visit, although a number of cheap fast food options are available in the general area. Internet access is available but you would be advised to use the nearby Easy Internet café. The hostel lacks an inside common room but the location more than makes up for this. — Peter F. (2005-06-09) This hostel is a great option for backpackers who want to stay close to all the sights and businesses of Athens without having to book into a costly hotel in the same area. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. The rooms are clean, the food is good, and you can bring in your own drinks and sit in the courtyard instead of having to pay a fortune at some of the restaurants in Plaka. — Anonymous (2005-03-08) I stayed here in June of 2003. We stayed in a room for three and it was 25 euros each. The beds were fine and the room was good. If anything the air-conditioning was too cold. The location was great and there were a lot of cafes around and places to get cheap food. A little pricey if you're backpacking, but the air-conditioning was worth it after a month of 100-degree weather. We also found the staff to be helpful. There is a nice little courtyard with vending machines and a big screen TV! — Mike (2005-03-06) I recently booked via the IYHF and thought this place was excellent! It's right on the walkway of the main old street of Athens, so you fall out the door and the restaurants are right there. It's so easy to stumble back after a beer or four. I loved my stay in Athens and would love to stay here again. — Craig (2005-03-02) AVOID THIS PLACE! This hostel is the worst place for backpackers I've ever seen. Unfortunately, I had to stay here for four nights because I had a reservation — otherwise I would have moved elsewhere.
This was the overwhelming luxury I experienced in this hostel for really extortionate prices:
- Dirty, filthy blankets in the bed
- Disgustingly dirty toilets in the shared bathrooms (and only one shower for the 1st floor!)
- No hot water available for two of the four mornings during my stay, although "24 hours hot water" was advertised
- The rubbish bin has not been emptied for four days (I didn't expect daily room service, but at least this would have been nice, considering the price I had to pay for one night!)
- Impolite answers from one member of the staff when asking for the most simple information (other staff members were quite nice)
- Not a single hook on the walls, whether in the shared or in the private bathrooms; there were no hooks in any room at all, so it was impossible to keep your clothes and towels from getting wet
- A window that was fixed and open all the time, with the noisy Kidathineon street just below
- And the cream of the crop: cockroaches in the bathrooms!!! These DISGUSTING insects were the size of a thumb! They were everywhere! It was DISGUSTING!!!
I had to pay 56 euros per night (that is 28 euros per person) in October 2004 for a double bed room with private bathroom. The only advantage of this place is its location in the middle of the Plaka. But if you want to enjoy your stay in Athens you should consider spending some 10 to 20 euros more per night to enjoy the comfort of a real hotel with clean facilities!
I've seen a lot of other backpacker hostels in Europe, so I think I'm able to compare the standards and services. After this experience I just have to repeat: AVOID THIS PLACE! — Bianca (2004-10-16) We had to move out; the price was too high and it was simply not worth it. The owner was asking 120 euros during the Olympics, and 25 the week before. Also, the toilet didn't flush, there was no breakfast, no air-conditioning, and no help with anything. It was very unfriendly. — George (2004-10-06) A+ experience. I stayed at this hostel in 2000 and met another traveller there who is now my husband! The front desk guy was an abolute gem. It was on the main drag for entertainment, food, and booze. We were there for Carnival (remember to calculate for the Greek calendar), and the parade went down this street. We plan to go back for our anniversary. — Amber (2004-08-21) I'd like to say that is a top hostel in Athens. The staff are nice and helpful people! The breakfast is great and cheaper than outside! I recommend this place for everyone! — Bob (2004-08-03)