East Side Hostel

East Side Hostel is a fairly convenient though simple place to stay in the Pest side of Budapest with helpful staff and a great free map on arrival. With a bit of walking or public transport it is close to many of the sights. The hostel is a small flat within an apartment block -- it's a cosy place with plenty of opportunity to meet other backpackers. Extras advertised like internet and breakfast included aren't really up to scratch and the bedding is weary.

The Location

East Side Hostel is located in an apartment block a street away from the river, nearby the Budapest Parliament building on the north side of central Pest. Easy to find, the hostel is nearby to the military headquarters and Parliament House so the area is very secure. The hostel is about five hundred fifty meters from Nyugari station and four hundred meters from the underground station (Kossuth Ter) that connects to the other main Keleti train station. To avoid some significant walking, you will need to invest in some public transport tickets to see the sights. However the nearby Kossuth and Nyugati balyaudva underground stations give very good access to the sights and there are numerous trams and night buses.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The hostel comprises a five- and a six-bed dorm and one double room within the flat. The dorms do not have adequate lockers -- ours had a lockable wardrobe with a padlock provided but was not at all secure and there aren't enough lockable areas for hostel guests. The wooden bunks have poor mattresses with mismatched pillows, quilts, and blankets that should have been donated to a homeless shelter some time ago! In winter the place is warm enough and in summer, it would seem to have adequate ventilation from the tiny balconies (no advertised terrace!). There is a bathroom with large bath/shower and toilet and a separate toilet, which are adequate given the number of dorm beds in the flat. Dorms and bathrooms are reasonably clean but again the bedding is not.

Common Spaces

The flat includes a small kitchen as part of the common TV/internet area. This is also the only area available for the staff to hang out and check people in -- with a full hostel it becomes very crowded. On the plus side, given the cosiness of the flat, it is a great place to meet and socialise with people.

There is no wireless -- the internet connection on the one old computer provided is slow if it's working at all (it wasn't whilst we were there). Tea and coffee and breakfast are supposed to be provided and the staff member was very helpful once asked for these items (running out to the corner shop to buy things and offering what seemed to be his own cereal to us) but we had to ask for these and there was no indication of it being included upon check-in despite what the hostel advertises.

Summary

It's easy to meet fellow backpackers at cosy East Side Hostel. The hostel doesn't really live up to its advertised claims but it is a reasonable budget option in Pest with helpful staff and a friendly feel.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review