The Hostelz.com Review
The first impression of HI - Vicenza - Olimpico Hostel is grandeur and you notice the very welcoming staff. It is in a great location for the many attractions and monuments of Vicenza.
Location
The hostel is approximately a fifteen-minute walk from the train and bus station and most local bus services from the station stop just a few shops down from the hostel. There are plenty of street maps in Vicenza so it is easy to locate yourself if you take a wrong turn. There are only a few spaces on the site for parking, however, a large public car park is just across the road. The hostel is situated on a main road but all the rooms are at the rear of the building, so you are not disturbed by traffic noise and the hostel is well positioned for all local amenities and shops.
Rooms & Bathrooms
The rooms are what let the hostel down -- while they are warm (though you do have to request the heating to be put on) and clean with just four beds to a room, they are very small and cramped with no space for luggage and the basic metal frame bunks, springy wire bases and lumpy mattresses resemble something of a prison. There are however lockers available free of charge (your room key also opens your locker) in each room. The bathrooms are clean and again very basic but functioning. The showers have space to change and hooks on the back of the doors but the toilets are in need of renewal -- very old and stained.
Common Spaces
There is no self-catering kitchen and the only communal or sitting area is a section of plastic tables and chairs where your breakfast is served and the TV is located. It has absolutely no atmosphere and no one spends anytime there at all. In the main reception area there are two public computers with internet access and printers and there is no problem in leaving your luggage behind reception. This area is not secure and people just walk in and out to get their luggage, so you would not leave any personal effects behind.
There is no game room or even a book exchange -- you have the sense that the hostel does not want people hanging about. This gives the hostel a stale atmosphere and it does not really feel like a hostel at all. Due to the lack of communal areas the only people you meet are those in your dorm and in order to go anywhere and chat comfortably you have to leave the hostel.
Summary
Overall the hostel is functional and clean but for the price, it's not good value for money. The breakfast is horrible -- packaged chocolate croissants and a cup of lukewarm coffee from a vending machine. The staff are, however, incredibly helpful and well informed and give plenty of local tourist information.
Location
The hostel is approximately a fifteen-minute walk from the train and bus station and most local bus services from the station stop just a few shops down from the hostel. There are plenty of street maps in Vicenza so it is easy to locate yourself if you take a wrong turn. There are only a few spaces on the site for parking, however, a large public car park is just across the road. The hostel is situated on a main road but all the rooms are at the rear of the building, so you are not disturbed by traffic noise and the hostel is well positioned for all local amenities and shops.
Rooms & Bathrooms
The rooms are what let the hostel down -- while they are warm (though you do have to request the heating to be put on) and clean with just four beds to a room, they are very small and cramped with no space for luggage and the basic metal frame bunks, springy wire bases and lumpy mattresses resemble something of a prison. There are however lockers available free of charge (your room key also opens your locker) in each room. The bathrooms are clean and again very basic but functioning. The showers have space to change and hooks on the back of the doors but the toilets are in need of renewal -- very old and stained.
Common Spaces
There is no self-catering kitchen and the only communal or sitting area is a section of plastic tables and chairs where your breakfast is served and the TV is located. It has absolutely no atmosphere and no one spends anytime there at all. In the main reception area there are two public computers with internet access and printers and there is no problem in leaving your luggage behind reception. This area is not secure and people just walk in and out to get their luggage, so you would not leave any personal effects behind.
There is no game room or even a book exchange -- you have the sense that the hostel does not want people hanging about. This gives the hostel a stale atmosphere and it does not really feel like a hostel at all. Due to the lack of communal areas the only people you meet are those in your dorm and in order to go anywhere and chat comfortably you have to leave the hostel.
Summary
Overall the hostel is functional and clean but for the price, it's not good value for money. The breakfast is horrible -- packaged chocolate croissants and a cup of lukewarm coffee from a vending machine. The staff are, however, incredibly helpful and well informed and give plenty of local tourist information.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2007
Their Description
HI - Vicenza - Olimpico Hostel Details
|
|
(To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Update Form.)
Map Location/ContactHow is HI - Vicenza - Olimpico Hostel rated on other websites?
No reviews yet.
HI - Vicenza - Olimpico Hostel Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
I stayed there in March 2001. I was impressed by the "gold" furniture they had in the common room. There was no atmosphere, but it's one of the newest hostels I've ever found! — Davide Santi (2005-01-26) It would be difficult to fault this hostel for cleanliness, and the staff were very friendly, but there was no atmosphere here. It is a very difficult place to meet people, and compared to other hostels the room was quite cramped. There is no TV room or other facilities, and Vicenza isn't that popular so it's a difficult place to meet others. The breakfast offered at the bar is worth it, but avoid the evening meal offer. — Solo Traveller (2004-11-07) Apart from restricted check-in times, good. About 15 minutes walk from train station. Big luggage store. Me and a friend had a 4-bed room to ourselves and there were cupboards in the room too. Excellent showers, generally clean and comfortable. — Toby, Canterbury (2004-01-14) A bit boring/dull, but very clean, nice and quiet with friendly staff. Looks a bit like a hotel. I was fortunate to have a 4 bed room for myself. I'd go back here. — Maurice (Netherlands) (2003-08-26)