HI - Belgrade (Beograd) - Tis Hostel

Really good, lovely staff, spotless rooms, clean showers!
We stayed here in July on our way to Exit and got a two rooms for three of us for two nights. All of us would normally stay in hotels so we weren't sure if we'd like the hostel. The rooms were spotless and airy -- no a/c but it wasn't a problem. The showers were really clean and there was never a problem with access or hot water and definitely no naked men! The staff were amazingly helpful (like all Serbians we met) and so friendly. It's a bit out of the city centre but there are loads of trams and buses that go from the top of the road and plenty of places to eat in the area. I would definitely recommend Tis to anyone.

The description of the hostel seemed somehat a surprise to me when I read it after having stayed there -- particularly cost and the shower and toilet arrangements. Prices do not include tax so add an extra E1.30 to those quoted. Staff are very friendly -- I will give them that. But all men so perhaps is why the below is an issue. The hostel has five toilets (all unisex -- all reaching the smell of a urinal as after my four-day stay as none of them had been cleaned and were in need of one before my arrival) and two sets of showers (one men and one women with four in each -- in theory). Imagine my surprise to see a guy emerging from the womens showers, leaving behind his toilet bag for later. And he was not the only one. When I protested with reception I was told that as the majority of guests were men this was not uncommon and they could do what they liked. I said this was unacceptable and they agreed unhappily. This did no good as I was greeted by the sight of naked gangly drunk Dutchmen only hours later as I went for a shower. It is intimidating enough to be one of only three female guests in a large hostel among over twenty men, more so when I am asked to move rooms so that I am now in a room on a floor populated by only men and three very smelly toilets. Drinking is apparently banned in the rooms unless you actually are part of a large rowdy group of around ten and have brought your own stereo -- then feel free to drink yourself senseless til dawn an make as much noise as you care to. I loved it when the police brought home eight guests on their first evening and then reappeared twice more in then next two days to check things over. All this is a pity as the hostel has been recently rennovated, the rooms are clean and airy, staff are friendly, and it is in a quiet neighbourhood with good transport links to the centre. Let down by poor hygiene and a disregard for its guests' wishes for sleep.