The Hostelz.com Review
Sunny Lake Hostel is apparently the main place to go for people who are backpacking around the Balkans. So if you want to meet lots of other people to hang out, go out and party, or simply team up for day activities, this is definitely a good place to go. If you want it quiet and stay by yourself this is also possible, but less unlikely. The place is owned by two brothers who turn out to be extremely friendly and helpful, guiding everybody safely to their bus, offering lots of good advice on places to go and visit. They definitely make the stay at the hostel a great experience.
The Location
The hostel is located in the old town of Ohrid slightly up on the hill. Don't worry though, it is only a two-minute walk to the lake and what you would probably call the center of Ohrid. The bus station of Ohrid is a little bit outside of the town, so it takes you twenty minutes if you want to walk to the hostel. The hostel is an a narrow dead-end side road of St. Klimenetov Univerzitet. So while its address is number 38, you actually have to find the small road going up between number 56 and 58 where you will soon see the big banner of the hostel. There are also some signs pointing toward the hostel around the city, but they are easy to miss. They have parking, but you should contact them ahead if you want a spot because the owners will have to negotiate with the neighbors to clear the road and make space for you.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Most dorms are eight-bed although there are some smaller rooms as well. The beds are really comfy, probably the best beds we slept on throughout our trip. All rooms are open throughout day and night, but you can get keys for spacious lockers for a refundable deposit. It does get quite chilly in Ohrid during summer, but with a room full of people you wont get cold. If you do however just ask the owners and they will provide you with blankets.
There are three bathrooms (one on each floor), which turns out to be just about enough. Obviously in the morning you will have to wait a bit for taking a shower though. The bathrooms are rather small and as the shower curtains don't close well, the floor is often wet, which is disturbing when you only want to use the toilet really quickly. Most importantly, though, they are clean and there is always soap and toilet paper around.
Common Spaces
There are several common spaces -- a kitchen on the third floor, two balconies, a bigger common area on the ground floor, as well as a spacious backyard with hammocks and barbecue. The kitchen is basic, but provides you with all you need but can get messy if other guests don't clean their stuff. The balconies are nice to hang out, but at 11 p.m. the neighbor will start making a fuss, so everybody has to move inside (or the backyard) and should be more quiet.
The common room downstairs has a big TV with lots of channels, there is a big movie collection, instruments, book exchange, and games to borrow and play. Also two computers hook you up with internet. The is also a Wi-Fi throughout the hostel. With all these areas, the hostel is a very social place to meet other people. Often enough a party starts going here, but after 11 p.m. it has to move out into the city, so if you want to sleep and get some rest, that is usually no problem either.
Summary
Overall this hostel is a very nice place to stay, whether it is a quick stopover or for a longer period. Most people (including us) stay some days longer than they intended, as both the town and the hostel turn out to be very nice and relaxed places to spend your time and relax from previous traveling exhaustion. So if you are in a hurry, be careful! The hostel offers lots of information about current events in and around Ohrid and have reasonably priced laundry service and bike rental.
The free breakfast is not their strength. As food is really cheap in Macedonia, you'd better go out and have something. If you have been carrying around a tent and you are really keen on giving it use, you can put it up in the backyard and pay less for your stay -- depends on available space though! We were very content here and stayed two days longer than planned, just because the place was so nice and relaxing.
The Location
The hostel is located in the old town of Ohrid slightly up on the hill. Don't worry though, it is only a two-minute walk to the lake and what you would probably call the center of Ohrid. The bus station of Ohrid is a little bit outside of the town, so it takes you twenty minutes if you want to walk to the hostel. The hostel is an a narrow dead-end side road of St. Klimenetov Univerzitet. So while its address is number 38, you actually have to find the small road going up between number 56 and 58 where you will soon see the big banner of the hostel. There are also some signs pointing toward the hostel around the city, but they are easy to miss. They have parking, but you should contact them ahead if you want a spot because the owners will have to negotiate with the neighbors to clear the road and make space for you.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Most dorms are eight-bed although there are some smaller rooms as well. The beds are really comfy, probably the best beds we slept on throughout our trip. All rooms are open throughout day and night, but you can get keys for spacious lockers for a refundable deposit. It does get quite chilly in Ohrid during summer, but with a room full of people you wont get cold. If you do however just ask the owners and they will provide you with blankets.
There are three bathrooms (one on each floor), which turns out to be just about enough. Obviously in the morning you will have to wait a bit for taking a shower though. The bathrooms are rather small and as the shower curtains don't close well, the floor is often wet, which is disturbing when you only want to use the toilet really quickly. Most importantly, though, they are clean and there is always soap and toilet paper around.
Common Spaces
There are several common spaces -- a kitchen on the third floor, two balconies, a bigger common area on the ground floor, as well as a spacious backyard with hammocks and barbecue. The kitchen is basic, but provides you with all you need but can get messy if other guests don't clean their stuff. The balconies are nice to hang out, but at 11 p.m. the neighbor will start making a fuss, so everybody has to move inside (or the backyard) and should be more quiet.
The common room downstairs has a big TV with lots of channels, there is a big movie collection, instruments, book exchange, and games to borrow and play. Also two computers hook you up with internet. The is also a Wi-Fi throughout the hostel. With all these areas, the hostel is a very social place to meet other people. Often enough a party starts going here, but after 11 p.m. it has to move out into the city, so if you want to sleep and get some rest, that is usually no problem either.
Summary
Overall this hostel is a very nice place to stay, whether it is a quick stopover or for a longer period. Most people (including us) stay some days longer than they intended, as both the town and the hostel turn out to be very nice and relaxed places to spend your time and relax from previous traveling exhaustion. So if you are in a hurry, be careful! The hostel offers lots of information about current events in and around Ohrid and have reasonably priced laundry service and bike rental.
The free breakfast is not their strength. As food is really cheap in Macedonia, you'd better go out and have something. If you have been carrying around a tent and you are really keen on giving it use, you can put it up in the backyard and pay less for your stay -- depends on available space though! We were very content here and stayed two days longer than planned, just because the place was so nice and relaxing.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
July 2011
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Sunny Lake Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
The hostel in Macedonia Hostel has location, staff, atmosphere, facilities, best mattress ever, just everything you need in Ohrid. Thank you again. — Ronald , Croatia (2009-08-14) Ace! This is one of the best hostels I've ever been to -- great views, great fun, and really comfortable beds. Definitely worth the trip from Skopje! — Nicola , Ireland (2007-08-06)