HI - Ljubljana Youth Hostel / Bit Center Hotel

HI - Ljubljana Youth Hostel / Bit Center Hotel is the type of place you stay for one night. It is very cheap, but a bus ride out of town, and very basic in terms of amenities. It's right next door to a gym if you feel like improving your fitness.

The Location

The hostel is really one level of a building that is dedicated to a fitness centre. It's hard to find because it doesn't look anything like a hostel. Even the rooms are obviously refitted gym rooms with lino and echoing walls -- it's as though you're back in high school classrooms but with dorm beds instead of desks. It is not a cosy place at all and it's even a little scary at times because it's completely deserted most of the time and reminds you of a nineties teen horror film. If you're prepared to face this for the cheapest hostel in town (or out of town) then stay here.

The location is west of the centre and fairly easy to get to. From the train station take bus 5 or 9 in the direction of Stepanjsko Naselje and get off at the Emona stop (one stop from the end of the line). Not many of the bus drivers speak much English so familiarize yourself with the bus map (available at reception) to get around. It's apparently two kilometers out of town, but the bus takes about twenty minutes sometimes so prepare for the travel time.

Common Spaces

There is no kitchen and no common areas (except a few couches in the lobby of the gym which is where most people go to use the expensive internet) but there is a bar where you can sit and order drinks. It is mostly patronized by the gym members so its not really condusive to socializing. They charge per hour for the internet, but if you have your own laptop you get fifteen minutes free before it asks you for you credit card details!

Rooms and Bathrooms

The rooms are large, but have eight to ten beds in each. They have lockers and one shared bathroom with one shower. Hospital blankets and small sheets are provided but are nowhere near warm enough so use your sleeping bag. The rooms also have a lovely smoker's aroma, so don't expect a flowery freshness when you arrive! The showers are basic and very gym-like, but you can't really expect much more for this price.

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
October 2008