The Hostelz.com Review
Yo-Ho-Hostel is a small-to-medium-size hostel run by two Bulgarian couples near the center of town. It is beautifully decorated but lacking in several important aspects.
The Location
Yo-Ho is very close to the center of town and approximately fifteen minutes' walk from the nightclub area on the beach. The hostel is located in a safe neighborhood, across the street from a park, the Varna markets, and five minutes from the main cathedral which is at the center of town. Being so close to the center, parking is limited. The intercity bus stop is approximately a thirty-minute walk from the hostel, whilst the train station is approximately twenty minutes.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are clean but somewhat cramped and have no in-room lockers. There are the option of private rooms, but these do not have their own bathrooms.
The bathrooms are fairly clean and are usually cleaned on a daily basis. Note however that they are incredibly small and double as showers, which can often mean that your clothes have nowhere to go and get wet when you shower. Also note that two-thirds of showers/toilets we used did not lock properly -- not good if you don't like being walked in on!
Common Spaces
There are two small-size common spaces -- a kitchen, and an eating area. The small size of the common spaces, including the odor coming out of the fish tank (which doesn't seem to have been cleaned in a while), make it a space that is not entirely desirable for socializing, which means people are rarely in there. This really hurts the atmosphere of the hostel.
Summary
This is a nice, especially well decorated hostel if you are planning on staying for a brief period. However it seems more of a place to stay at in between destinations rather than a destination in itself.
The Location
Yo-Ho is very close to the center of town and approximately fifteen minutes' walk from the nightclub area on the beach. The hostel is located in a safe neighborhood, across the street from a park, the Varna markets, and five minutes from the main cathedral which is at the center of town. Being so close to the center, parking is limited. The intercity bus stop is approximately a thirty-minute walk from the hostel, whilst the train station is approximately twenty minutes.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are clean but somewhat cramped and have no in-room lockers. There are the option of private rooms, but these do not have their own bathrooms.
The bathrooms are fairly clean and are usually cleaned on a daily basis. Note however that they are incredibly small and double as showers, which can often mean that your clothes have nowhere to go and get wet when you shower. Also note that two-thirds of showers/toilets we used did not lock properly -- not good if you don't like being walked in on!
Common Spaces
There are two small-size common spaces -- a kitchen, and an eating area. The small size of the common spaces, including the odor coming out of the fish tank (which doesn't seem to have been cleaned in a while), make it a space that is not entirely desirable for socializing, which means people are rarely in there. This really hurts the atmosphere of the hostel.
Summary
This is a nice, especially well decorated hostel if you are planning on staying for a brief period. However it seems more of a place to stay at in between destinations rather than a destination in itself.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
August 2009
Their Description
Yo-Ho-Hostel Details
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Yo-Ho-Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
YOHO Hostel Owners are Pirates -- stole my money -- DON't GO THERE! I stayed in a private room at the YOHO for 2 and half months. Rent: 350 lev per month for private room without a bath, which I paid in advance each month. When the owner, Stefan, was selling me on staying there, he said that if I left earlier than a month I could get the rest of my money back. Though it wasn't perfect, I liked my room upstairs away from the noise, and had some writing to do, so I stayed over two months. When I paid my third month's rent to Toni, Stefan's fiancee, I told her I might not stay the whole month. Two weeks into my third month, with my writing finished, I decided to move because Stefan was being increasingly disagreeable to me. When, after moving my things to another hostel, I attempted to check out and get my half-month's rent refund, Stefan refused and laughed in my face. This is the short version. The longer one includes repeated harassment by Stefan,and even, on the last day, assault (I am a small woman). I will be taking legal action, but meanwhile wanted to make sure the information is out there for other people. For short-term guests it is not so relevant, but still some might prefer not to stay at a place run by thieves and bullies. — Anonymous , USA (2012-01-09) Fine when they're sober, not so hot when they're not First of all, some positive things -- the staff are mostly friendly and helpful, the location is good, and the pick-up from the station is a lifesaver after a long journey. However, there are no working locks on some of the rooms, and only on one of the combined toilets/showers. They've just changed premises and the kitchen and lounge are tiny, and although they have made an effort to make the rooms look nice, you can't really hang out anywhere there (the description in the blurb above currently refers to the old place). Our biggest problem though was with the noise -- they had an unannounced party with their friends in the upstairs attic above the hostel, and whilst hostelers were welcome to join in, it was impossible for anyone who had to get up early to sleep. When at 1a.m. I asked them nicely to keep it down, one of the owners drunkenly insulted me. So, if you like to party and don't mind about much else, you'll be fine here. If you want security, sleep, and respect, go elsewhere. — Caroline , UK (2008-04-15) Right in the middle of town, fantastic hospitable young staff The hostel is right in the middle of town, behind the main church. When you enter off the street (through two locked doors, security is good) you see a lovely, nautically-themed courtyard, a peaceful retreat from the busy street outside. The hosts are great -- they invite you to join them in barbecues, drinking the local brew (a bit like ouzo, it's drunk with yogurt) and to hang out with them (and their seriously cool friends) at the sea-side park which is humming around midnight. They have a resident muso too! The dorms are comfortable and there's a well equipped kitchen downstairs. The toilets/bathrooms could do with a little renovation but overall this place rocks. They've just got a four-wheel drive vehicle which I understand they will use for tours around the area. If you're in Varna, stay here! — Mike , Australian (2007-07-21) Best in town This is a great hostel for the following reasons. Amazing staff -- Stefan really makes sure you're taken care of. Location -- right in the city, close to the beach (steer clear of the dodgy park across the street at night though). Great chill-out surroundings outside the dorms. It's clean. Of course, it's not the Hilton, but what hostel is? They do a great job taking care of you. — Jon , Canada (2007-06-26) Wicked hostel. If you're going to Varna stay at this hostel. these guys used to run Hiker's hostel in Plovdiv. The staff here are extremely cool. Excellent place to stay. They will pick you up from the bus or train if you ask to. — Andrew (2006-10-12)