The Old Plovdiv hostel in Plovdiv is in a restored historic wood and stone structure, opulent and ostentatious in its day, and something of a tourist attraction in its own right today. Make a reservation… even during off-peak season. Rolling up expecting to find a bed in the depths of the off season, we arrived a few days early for the Christmas period, during which the hostel reached full capacity – rather suddenly and surprisingly. Bookings of entire dorm rooms are not uncommon. A better than expected breakfast choice of standard and vegan selections is served. Wi-Fi and power points are everywhere, and TVs are in all but the main dorm room. There are ample lock-up spaces- internal full and half-length wardrobes, or in some cases a large wooden trunk. Laundry service is available. Twenty four-hour access is via the 24/7 reception. This is a quiet area, so generally there are no external noise issues.
The Location
Old Plovdiv is situated along the touristic walking route up through the Old Town. This quintessential cobblestone pedestrian street is lined with historic period architecture, museums, churches, and galleries. The street traverses uphill and to the right, away from the central main pedestrian boulevard, at the point where there is a junction of streets, the underground amphitheatre, mosque, and a small park. Along the way, up the hill, you will pass both the Hikers Hostel, and Plovdiv Guest House hostel. This route from the center flows along in the same general direction, but winds and twists on tangents of ancient streets, so map reading is recommended. Upon leaving the hostel for the night-life of Kapana, turn left on the street outside the front door, wind your way bearing left, downhill to the main traffic road, and down the stairs of the underpass. Emerging on the other side, you will be entering Kapana, the ‘Trap’ - aptly named, because the tight labyrinth of small streets, make it a challenge to find your way out.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The beds (no bunks) are either aesthetic metal frames or traditional period wood style, and are ample and comfortable, with clean, crisp, white sheets, duvets and pillows. Oriental carpets adorn the wooden floorboards through out the property. The rooms have electric wall-mounted heating/cooling units, and plenty of windows. There is a noise issue as the wooden stairs and floorboards strain and squeak under the heavy foot of guests, but such is an inescapable inevitability of life in a wooden period-style home. Toilet and shower rooms on the three floors are generally modern, well designed, and always clean and fresh, but perhaps would benefit from an extra sink or two. Twenty-four hour hot water on tap throughout.
Common Spaces
The wooden building structure is substantial, adorned with intricate and ornate interior artwork and woodcarving. The entrance hall and reception are bright and functional spaces and manned 24-7 by a reliable and helpful multilingual staff, complete with resident bohemian-come-caretaker handy man. The rear garden area is aesthetically appointed and also houses an external roofed kitchen space, open on two sides. This is an idyllic self-catering and dining venue in warm weather. In cold weather this kitchen area is not really intended to be functional - obtaining utensils was a constantly recurring challenge, which was never resolved after days of repeatedly pleading - there were no pots, saucepans, or pans available with handles, so one either had burned hands or less than hot food or drink. And there was no running water in this outside kitchen area during winter, for either cooking or washing up, so obtaining water was a constantly recurring an issue. So without water, or utensils, readily available, without waiting and pleading, it was impossible to prepare a meal, or the simplest things like boiling eggs or making hot chocolate, in a reasonable amount of time. And in the cold weather, cooking and eating outside in the rear garden isn’t always practical, and is too distant from the downstairs breakfast room, which is serviced by an internal staff-only kitchen. So, altogether this basically means no self-catering in winter.
Summary
Overall, Old Plovdiv provides a thoroughly refreshing alternative to blasé hotel banality. Competitively priced, it ensures great value for money with an abundance of unique features guaranteed to pique the curiosity of guests. All elements conspire to ensure this as the top choice for Plovdiv, setting the pace as trailblazer for the best standards in the newly emerging boutique hostel segment, and thus a market leading innovator for the tourism sector in Plovdiv.
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Hostel Old Reviews
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+5
Erko
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on May 4, 2017
Description
Grab the unique possibility to spend unforgettable moments in probably one of the most sophisticated hostels in Eastern Europe !
In the heart of historic old town district, just 4 minutes away from the city’s main pedestrian street, Hostel “Old Plovdiv” is a real architectural marvel.
Hostel “Old Plovdiv” has a superb location in the centre of the town. It is in a walking distance from the city’s vibrant main pedestrian street, and in the best part of the historical old town’s district. Our GPS coordinates are as follows: 42°8'59"N 24°45'7"E.
You can see most of the city’s landmarks from the window of your room.
The nearest public bus stop is only 62 meters away. The hostel is situated on the cross-road of museums, art galleries and historical sites: 36 metres from Ethnographical museum, 32 metres from the famous church “St. Constantine &Elena”, 58 metres from the Icon Gallery and just 326 metres from the world famous magnificent 2nd-century AD Roman Amphitheatre, built by Emperor Trajan .
10 minutes by bus will take you to the Central Railway Station or the International Bus Station “Yug”( South).A taxi will drive you there for 5 minutes for only 1,5 Eur. Plovdiv’s Airport Krumovo is just 15 km away.
We offer all you can desire: superb location, 24 hour reception service, flawless security, hygiene to the highest standards and the friendliest staff possible. Located in totally renovated 144- year old Renaissance house, national monument of culture, Hostel “Old Plovdiv” will offer you experience of a lifetime!
Our features include free individual lockers and locks, free towels, linen and duvets, , free breakfast; free Wi-Fi, free CD/DVD-burning facilities and free satellite TV and films.
We offer book exchange, free maps and free luggage storage.
Build in 1868, the house, where Hostel “Old Plovdiv” is located, belonged to one of the richest local tobacco merchants. The wooden columns of the house are made of Lebanese cedre and you will also see marble from Greece and granite from Ottoman Turkey. The 130-year old wooden floors and the 4 metres high ceilings and big windows will take you back in time of the Bulgarian Renaissance. Furnished with authentic antique beds and wardrobes, purchased from local antique shops and renovated by professional restorers in the local Renaissance style, our 8 spacious and cosy rooms will seduce you with luxury at affordable price, starting from 10 EUR/per bed for Basic Rooms and up to 15 EUR/per bed for Luxury Rooms .
With only 3 or 4 beds in every room we offer intimacy and comfort, which will make you feel at home. You will be amazed to see an original Roman fortress wall in the middle of our dining room! Our garden with century old trees will charm you. There you can have your morning coffee under the shadow of a magnificent meddler tree and enjoy the charm of our water fountain. We offer free breakfast; free Wi-Fi, TV and DVD movies in our lounge room and free board games for the convenience of our guests. Enjoy a glass of cold local beer and chat with other guests at our Reception Bar or just check your e-mail or browse the Internet.
We appreciate the importance of clean facilities; therefore, we'll be cleaning all day long, making sure everything is spotless.
Our facilities include 4 bathrooms with hot showers 24 hours a day or one bathroom per every two rooms, two common rooms (dining room and lounge), and free use of the kitchen.
The superb location of Hostel Old Plovdiv makes it really easy to find it.
If you come from the city center, walking on the main pedestrian street “Kniaz Alexander Batenberg”towards river Maritsa, you need to get to the remains of the Roman Stadium. You will see a big Mosque –turn right and take the pavement street uphill into the Old town. Go along Saborna Street , leaving big Christian Orthodox Cathedral “Sveta Bogoroditsa” at your right and turn left when you reach the church “St.Consntantine & Elena”, just before the famous city gate Hissar Kapia. Hostel Old Plovdiv is 15 meters on your left.
If you come by train-there is a public bus stop just in front Central railway station.
If you preffer to take a taxi- we recommend you to use company 9199 or 6665 – they will drive you to us for approximately 2,5 Eur.
You can take buses number 7, 20, 26 or rout mini-bus shuttle 2.After approximately 9 minutes travel time get off on the 6-th bus stop, immediately after you pass the tunnel. There are stone stairs 15 meters before the bus stop to the left, which lead uphill to the Old Plovdiv. Turn the second street to the left-this is “Konstantin Stoilov” Street and walk exactly 53 metres to see Hostel “Old Plovdiv” at your right- there are big signs and you can not miss it.
By plane
The closest airport is Plovdiv airport ( www.plovdivairport.com ) situated at about 9 km from the city The airport is offering no regular flights and is specialized in international charter passenger flights only throughout the year. The busiest period is the winter time when a huge number of foreign tourists fly in to go to one of the top 3 Bulgarian ski resorts – Pamporovo (60 km), Borovets (90 km) and Bansko (160 km).
The second closest airport is Bulgarian biggest international Sofia airport (www.sofia-airport.bg) , 136 km away from Plovdiv (1, 5 h drive) There are many daily regular flights from the European capitals and cities.
Do not hesitate to contact us for arranging transfer to and from both airports.
By car
The easiest way is to type our address in your GPS navigation: Plovdiv, ” Chetvarti yanuari” Str. №3 and follow the instructions .
If you don’t have GPS and if you are coming from Sofia drive only straight on Vasil Aprilov Blvd., until you cross the river Maritsa, then on the first cross-road with traffic lights turn left on Shesti septemvri Blvd. Pass the first two cross-roads with traffic lights, and on the third one turn right, facing the tunnel. Just before the tunnel turn right again on Zhelezarska Str. and turn left on Krivolak Str. Take second street to the right and after 30 metres turn sharp left and up, facing a parking at your right.
This is Saborna Str. -follow it until you reach the church “St.Consntantine & Elena”, just before the famous city gate Hissar Kapia. Hostel Old Plovdiv is 15 meters on your left.
By bus
The Busiest Bus station “South” ( or ”Yug” ” in Bulgarian) is just 50 metres from the central Railway station, serving passengers coming from Sofia ,Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgarian Black Sea coast and a lot of international routes, including Istanbul. On the opposite side of the bus station there is a public bus stop. Just use the instruction for the arrival by train, but this time get off 5-th bus stop.
Next Bus station is “North” (or “Sever” in Bulgarian) , serving passengers coming from North Bulgaria and famous ski resort Bansko, as well as famous summer Sunny Beach Black Sea Coast Resort and Burgas. Take bus № 21 or trolley bus №3 from the bus stop infront. Again get off at the 6-th bus stationbut this time it will be the one just before the tunnel – travel time: 11 min. Cross the boulevard, using the subway which you’ll find on your left. Take the stairs on the right and get upstairs to the ground surface. Now take the stone stairs to the left, leading uphill to the Old Plovdiv and use the last part of the instructions for arrival by train.
And finally – the last Bus station is “Rodopi”, serving passengers coming from Haskovo, Kardjali, Smolyan and famous winter ski resort Pamporovo. Take the the subway beside the bus station and walk to the Central railway station.
Then follow the complete instructions for the arrival by train.
Location and Contact
Location
• Hostel “Old Plovdiv” has a superb location in the centre of the town. It is in a walking distance from the city’s vibrant main pedestrian street, and in the best part of the historical old town’s district. Our GPS coordinates are as follows: 42°8'59"N 24°45'7"E.
• You can see most of the city’s landmarks from the window of your room.
• The nearest public bus stop is only 62 meters away. The hostel is situated on the cross-road of museums, art galleries and historical sites: 36 metres from Ethnographical museum, 32 metres from the famous church “St. Constantine &Elena”, 58 metres from the Icon Gallery and just 326 metres from the world famous magnificent 2nd-century AD Roman Amphitheatre, built by Emperor Trajan .
• 10 minutes by bus will take you to the Central Railway Station or the International Bus Station “Yug”( South).A taxi will drive you there for 5 minutes for only 1,5 Eur. Plovdiv’s Airport Krumovo is just 15 km away.
Map
Address: 3 Chetvarti Yanuari Street, Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Distance to city center: 0.19 km
Hostel Old is listed on the following booking sites:
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Phone Number:
+359888636370
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Facilities and Amenities
Digital Nomads
Family-Friendly Hostel
Older travelers (+50)
Party Hostel
Quiet Rest
Solo Traveller
Bedsheets
Breakfast
City Tours
Lockers in Lobby
Lockers in Rooms
Luggage Storage
Parking
Pub Crawls
Safe Deposit Box
Towels
Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons
Wi-Fi in Rooms
Airport Pickup
Bike Rental
24 Hour Security
Air Conditioning
BBQ Grill
Bar
Board Games
Book Collection/Exchange
Cable TV
Clothes Dryer
Concierge/Info Desk
Credit Card Payments
Elevator/Lift
Entirely Non-Smoking
Food/Restaurant
Gameroom
Hair Dryers
Hot Showers
Kitchen
Laundry
Lounge Area
Meeting/Banquet facilities
Movie Library/Rental
No Bunkbeds
Outdoor Seating
Power Point/Sockets in Rooms
TV
Videogames
Wheelchair Accessible
Pet-Friendly
Service Animals
Genders: Males & Females
Max. Age: All Ages
Min. Age with Parent (dorms): All Ages
Min. Age with Parent (private room): All Ages
Min. Age without Parent: 16
Checkout: 12:00 (12 Noon)
Curfew: No Curfew
Lockout: No
Maximum Stay: Unlimited
Minimum Stay: 1 night
Open Dates: All Year
Reception Hours: 24 Hours
Size: Medium (30-60 beds)
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