First impressions of HI - Nantes - Porte Neuve Hostel are not fantastic -- the building is huge and ugly. As you enter you immediately get a sense of the vastness and emptiness of the place. However, the hostel does have many good qualities.
The Location
It's in a great location, only a ten-minute walk to the heart of Nantes. There's also a tram stop just outside to ferry you back and forth from the train station.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Rooms are large and clean with a table, chairs, and sink. It's also nice and relaxing to sleep in proper beds instead of scrambling up to a creaky top bunk. Bathrooms are located down one end of the hallway and are very basic but clean.
Common Spaces
There's an empty, depressing feel to this huge hostel. It's not even very clear if it's really a hostel. It's more like a hall of residence as there appears to be many permanent inhabitants. On the ground floor there's a deserted common room and empty bar. The kitchen requires a key from reception and although it's fairly clean there's not one piece of cooking equipment available to use, so bring your own pan! On the whole this vast place is very confusing, verging on creepy -- the stairs only appear to reach the second floor and then confusingly disappear, forcing you to take the shoddy lift.
Summary
Despite these oddities the hostel is generally good -- there's a great free breakfast in the morning with bread, jam, hot drinks, and juice. The rooms are pleasant and you're in a handy location. But the fact still remains that this huge hostel has no personality or community vibe. It will be a bit depressing if traveling alone but will be suitable for couples and small groups who are happy to keep to themselves.
— Exklusive Hostelz.com Übersicht
February 2009
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