Trzy Kafki Plus - Kraków, Poland

Comment by BigTripGirl, Australia

May 2007

I booked into this room for three nights with two friends, one friend and I stayed only one night, and the other stayed all three. There are three rooms, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Single beds only, with a doona. The pillows were really small and flat, which I think is normal for this part of the world. I don't mind, but one of my friends did. In addition, the towels were really small and there was no bathmat. There is a bar fridge, two gas hot-plates, a kettle and a small saucepan, Knives, forks, and spoons. Though we were provided with a triple room, there were only two sets of cups, spoons, plates so we asked for more. There were no bowls provided for breakfast so used the same cup for cereal and coffee (not at the same time of course). This place was clean, however there was an unwelcome smell coming from the drain in the bathroom, which was initially being covered up by an automatic air freshener, but the smell became stronger. My friend covered up the drain, much to our relief. As we were only here for three days the room was not cleaned. The location is an easy walk from the centre, and twenty minutes from the train station. The map they provide is accurate. The last street before the hostel is less populated in the evening which may cause a little nervousness to the single lady, or ladies. The place was inexpensive at 170 PLN per night for a triple room (AUS$72, US$60, €44, CAD$68). The first night was good because there was no neighbour in the next room, it was silent, and I slept well. The second night about fifty students moved into the hostel, this is when I learned the walls are paper thin. At first the kids are excited and hyperactive, which is understandable and it was the afternoon. However once their excitement died down and they started talking normally I could still hear every word very clearly. In addition, I could hear them opening their suitcase, cupboards, radio, everything! I always take earplugs with me, but these were no match for the paper thin walls. Though no fault of the kids, this displeased me greatly. Two of us went to another hotel for two nights, but did not actually check out (there seemed no point as we had already paid). One friend who seemed not to care about noise stayed for all three nights. This worked out ok as we left our stuff there and I also used the free internet there. On the flat door there is a sign that if you need help with the heater or hot water you should ask, so do not fear if the radiator/hot water doesn't seem to be working. The thermostat is in the kitchen, you can control the hot water and radiator heat from here. After setting it, be sure to press the on button (a green light will turn on). Might seem silly to state the obvious, but there are no instructions. There is not much of an atmosphere here, all the rooms are private so if you are looking to meet people that probably will not happen here. This doesn't bother me in the least. If you prefer not to be surrounded by strangers this is a good thing. There are residential flats in this building so it is important to be mindful of this. The check-in was quick and the staff speak English, they were helpful. There are no lockers in the room, however to get into the room, you have to go through the main door on the street which you often have to be buzz, the office door, then need key access for the flat and the room. People cannot just easily walk in from the street. Each time you leave the hostel you are to leave the key with reception, which is staffed twenty-four hours a day. I would not stay here again, but I think it is ok for people who do not mind/notice noise. Until then I was enjoying it. Perhaps a family would like to stay here as rooms go from two people to six people, or a group of friends.