Art Hostel - Usually We Spend Our Time In The Garden

Art Hostel - Usually We Spend Our Time In The Garden is a fun place to party, with activities centered in the fully equipped bar in the basement accessible to both patrons and friendly, young Bulgarians interested in meeting foreigners. As simply a place to sleep one could do better, but the cost and the common space can make up for the lack of comfort.

The Location

Art Hostel is a good distance from the train station, and unless you are up for a walk, it is better to take public transportation or a taxi. Remember to stamp your ticket as soon as you get in the tram. The location is otherwise very good, as it is not far from most of Sofia's sights and right in the center of the city, surrounded by interesting stores and places to eat.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The rooms are separate from the common rooms and reception, through a small, pleasant garden that Art Hostel keeps. Several floors each contain rooms with between two and fifteen beds with attached common space, kitchen, and bathroom, so space is not an issue. Security however is, as there is no in-house security once you get past the locked front door. In addition, the beds are quite hard and uncomfortable. The bathrooms are for the most part clean and each floor has its own small kitchen space, but as there is only one bathroom per floor so traffic jams are quite a problem.

Common Spaces

Art Hostel's common space is its best asset. Next to reception there is a small room with a book exchange, television, and one computer available for the internet. In the basement, a large and stylish bar serves moderately priced drinks for hostel patrons and young Bulgarians, and is the perfect place to meet the locals and make some friends. They have very well organized and fun activities as well. However, the bar closes after breakfast and doesn't open again until later at night and so during the day one must be satisfied with the small, seatless common rooms on each floor and the similarly small common room by reception. Though they do offer breakfast, it is only serviceable.

Summary

Art Hostel is a great place to meet people, especially the locals. However, the spartan sleeping facilities and the presence of only one computer for such a potentially large patronage are big downsides. It does have a very cheap price tag attached to it, and so budget travelers will find it worth their money.

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
April 2008