Green Light Hostel

Green Light Hostel, a somewhat strange little hostel, is well-run and feels quite new and clean. There are heavy metal shutters that the staff pulls down late at night during the summer to keep out the light of "White Nights." Guests are required to ring the doorbell when they want to be let in, and those who aren't immediately recognized are required to produce their guest registration paper, unique to the hostel and completely separate from visa registration (which the hostel also offers).

The Location

The location is great but difficult to find. Although the address given is Sadovaya Street, the entrance is actually up a little side street and through an archway into a courtyard. It can be extremely difficult to find, given that there are no signs to the hostel whatsoever. However, once you find it, you soon realize that the location is ideal. Only a minute's walk away from Nevsky Prospect and a major metro station, most of St. Petersburg's major sites are within walking distance. There is a bank machine right around the corner from the hostel, and kiosks at Gostiny Dvor shopping centre (located almost right outside the hostel) sell theatre and tour tickets. Travelers who find themselves in need of goods can buy almost anything from jewelry to household equipment at Gostiny Dvor. Being right in the centre of St. Petersburg, the location feels very safe, and the hostel is located close to cafes, restaurants, and bars.

Rooms and Bathrooms

All the rooms are dorm rooms, and it is possible to reserve a two-, four-, or six-bed room. As the hostel is actually located in the basement of a building, the rooms can be very dark, but this is welcome during White Nights. There are no lockers in the rooms, although there are medium-sized ones in the hallway. The beds are extremely comfortable, and the pillows are lovely and thick. The bedroom doors are lockable only from the inside, and no keys are issued. There are two showers and two toilets located in different parts of the hostel, which are very clean, although there is a sign reminding guests to please throw their toilet paper in a garbage bin. This is not unusual for St. Petersburg, and is easily explained by the lack of water pressure in the toilets. The shower rooms are quite tight, and there is little room for your clothes.

Common Spaces

There is a free internet computer in one of the hallways, which also serves as a common space. It is connected to the self-catering kitchen, which has a coffee machine and other basic amenities. However, there is little room to actually socialize without being in someone's way, and it seems that many of the guests, although nice, have little interest in talking with strangers. This does not seem the type of hostel in which it is possible to easily meet other travelers.

Summary

In conclusion, although this is a nice, safe, comfortable hostel, it is not a social one. When we were there, few of the staff could speak English, although everyone was friendly and helpful. Once you find the hostel, it is evident that neither the location nor the beds can be beat!

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
August 2009