The Hostelz.com Review
Chillton Hostel is a very decent place to stay in Belgrade. There are a growing number of hostels in Belgrade, many of them are good, but the thing that sets Chillton apart is its relaxed but caring personality and comfortable size.
The Location
The hostel is located more or less in the heart of Belgrade. Their directions are quite clear and the hostel does have a sign but you have to ring the bell and climb to the top of a few flights of stairs where the reception and most of the room are located. Some sights are very very close, but for those that aren't, it's a pleasant albeit not so short stroll to the pedestrian area and fortress, or you can grab one of the extremely frequent trolley buses.
There are a slew of banks with ATMs across the street and many shops, pharmacies, and restaurants with long hours scattered around. For other needs or that 4 a.m. shopping spree you can walk a few blocks downhill to one of Belgrade's largest intersections. It's worth noting that the area uphill of the hostel (not towards the huge church or the city center) is well worth exploring; its lively markets and cafés along green boulevards are not often seen by tourists.
Rooms and Bathrooms
There are just three rooms in the hostel as well as an apartment-style setup on the ground floor. You have to ring to be let in the reception, which is right next to the doors to the rooms, so staff keep an eye on everything. There is a cabinet-style locker for each bed. The beds are bunks and are a bit cramped but we didn't hear any complaints of them keeping anyone from sleeping. The rooms are also a bit cramped if they are full, but nothing out of the norm. One room has a balcony facing the street.
There are just two bathrooms (each with a toilet and shower) for the hostel's three rooms. This can make mornings a bit stressful, but our experience was that all guests were extremely aware of others' needs and the system of social control and consideration worked well. The bathrooms are spacious and there is ample hot water. Staff wipe up water and clean very often since the bathrooms get so much use.
Common Spaces
The hostel also has very fine common spaces. There is a relaxed living room with two free computers and great couches for relaxing. It lends itself to mingling. There is a large kitchen with all the necessities and a balcony on the courtyard side. The small size of the hostel keeps things intimate and from getting too wild and loud. Still, there is plenty of Serbian alcohol to be had, starting from the welcome shots. It's a friendly atmosphere, like visiting your buddies.
Summary
Chilton is a great choice, especially for the independent traveler. They have pinpointed a great atmosphere, being relaxed and still offering great service and achieving a great social feeling without being a drunken mess. We feel it appropriate to give the hostel's staff an extra shout-out as they were the ones making everyone feel at home while keeping things tidy and providing good information. But if you want to be smack-dab in the tourist area or shower for hours in the morning, don't stay here.
The Location
The hostel is located more or less in the heart of Belgrade. Their directions are quite clear and the hostel does have a sign but you have to ring the bell and climb to the top of a few flights of stairs where the reception and most of the room are located. Some sights are very very close, but for those that aren't, it's a pleasant albeit not so short stroll to the pedestrian area and fortress, or you can grab one of the extremely frequent trolley buses.
There are a slew of banks with ATMs across the street and many shops, pharmacies, and restaurants with long hours scattered around. For other needs or that 4 a.m. shopping spree you can walk a few blocks downhill to one of Belgrade's largest intersections. It's worth noting that the area uphill of the hostel (not towards the huge church or the city center) is well worth exploring; its lively markets and cafés along green boulevards are not often seen by tourists.
Rooms and Bathrooms
There are just three rooms in the hostel as well as an apartment-style setup on the ground floor. You have to ring to be let in the reception, which is right next to the doors to the rooms, so staff keep an eye on everything. There is a cabinet-style locker for each bed. The beds are bunks and are a bit cramped but we didn't hear any complaints of them keeping anyone from sleeping. The rooms are also a bit cramped if they are full, but nothing out of the norm. One room has a balcony facing the street.
There are just two bathrooms (each with a toilet and shower) for the hostel's three rooms. This can make mornings a bit stressful, but our experience was that all guests were extremely aware of others' needs and the system of social control and consideration worked well. The bathrooms are spacious and there is ample hot water. Staff wipe up water and clean very often since the bathrooms get so much use.
Common Spaces
The hostel also has very fine common spaces. There is a relaxed living room with two free computers and great couches for relaxing. It lends itself to mingling. There is a large kitchen with all the necessities and a balcony on the courtyard side. The small size of the hostel keeps things intimate and from getting too wild and loud. Still, there is plenty of Serbian alcohol to be had, starting from the welcome shots. It's a friendly atmosphere, like visiting your buddies.
Summary
Chilton is a great choice, especially for the independent traveler. They have pinpointed a great atmosphere, being relaxed and still offering great service and achieving a great social feeling without being a drunken mess. We feel it appropriate to give the hostel's staff an extra shout-out as they were the ones making everyone feel at home while keeping things tidy and providing good information. But if you want to be smack-dab in the tourist area or shower for hours in the morning, don't stay here.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
June 2010
Their Description
Chillton Hostel Details
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Chillton Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Very friendly place to stay The hostel is essentially an apartment, so the rooms are quite cramped, and bathroom space is limited. Having said that, this is a great place to stay. The staff were brilliant, very friendly, there is a 24hr reception, free internet and you can do your laundry. It's not too far to walk from the bus and train stations. In such a small hostel you really get to know your fellow travelers and we often went out in the evening together. — Jonathan , England (2011-07-12) All is great, but ... We went in this hostel for 2 nights and all was really great -- nice building, very friendly staff, rich service provided. But the next morning, we were told that we have to move from the hostel we were sleeping in to Chillton 2 for the second night, this because the boss decided to close Chillton 1, since there was not enough people in it. Moreover, we had to pay a higher price in Chillton 2 and were only advised at 10 in the morning that the hostel was closing! What if we would already have left? I find it is absolutely not correct and for this reason, I would not advise this hostel. But except that (if the boss stops considering his clients as a money providing mean only), the hostel was great. — Thomas , France (2011-03-28) A haven for backpackers, tourists, and struggling musicians Very friendly, open and helpful staff. I will never forget Vojkans great turkish coffee, nor all the hard-to-find rock clubs he and the rest of the staff helped me and my friend Peter to locate. It's a pretty small place with a charming, relaxed atmosphere -- awesome for partying, watching a movie, shooting the breeze with others, or just surfing the internet. Plus, the beds where really comfortable.
The only smallish problem was that the showers went out of hot water now and again, especially in the mornings when just about everybody took one. I'd highly recommend Chillton Hostel to backpackers, tourists, and struggling musicians alike. — Johnny Strömbäck , Swedish (2009-04-15)