Poets' Corner Hostel, Olomouc

Steady As She Goes

Everybody should visit Olomouc in Moravia at least once and indeed more often if the opportunity presents itself. This was my 4th visit to this magnificent city and also my 4th time at the Poet's, now re-christened as the Cosy Corner. Another new management team has taken up residence but it's fair to say continuity of customer experience has been achieved. The vibe here is based around friendliness and helpfulness and Ezra, Ian, Klara and Kevin certainly do their best to make everyone welcome and the volume of repeat business tells its own story. Still the same 4 stairwell hike to the top to the building but a small price to pay for the sustained excellence. Just get yourself to Olomouc and stay at the Cosy -- you won't be disappointed and may find yourself accredited as a "regular" before you even realise it.

Poets Corner Hostel is a small, homey hostel conveniently located in the center of Olomouc, one of the Czech Republics undiscovered gems.

The Location

Poets Corner is easy to get to by tram from the train or bus stations, and its only a three- or four-minute walk from the gorgeous upper town square. Nearby youll find restaurants, bakeries, bars, coffee shops, supermarkets, and all manner of other shopping. All the main attractions are within walking distance -- squares, churches, fountains, museums, parks. The only possible problem are the stairs. The hostel is on the fourth floor with no elevator, so it may prove a problem for those with impaired mobility (or excessive luggage).

Rooms and Bathrooms

The rooms are bright, colorful, and clean. The dorms have around eight beds each, with small lockers for your valuables. Bring your own lock. Upper bunks dont have shelves where you can put things, and as its an older building, there arent a lot of electrical outlets. The common bathrooms are clean, colorful, and sufficient in number for the beds. They include soap and hand towels. Private rooms are also available (with shared bathroom).

Common Spaces

The living room is cozy, with patchwork curtains; worn armchairs; wall maps; and lots of information about Olomouc, including city attractions, places to eat, and day trips. Upon check-in, the staff of Poets Corner also gives each guest a good intro to the city, pointing out on their own map the places they recommend. Poets Corner also has a library, book exchange, free Wi-Fi, game chest, and CD player with a collection of CDs. The kitchen is airy and well stocked, with free coffee and tea. A small balcony with table and benches gives nice views of the cathedral and other various church spires. You can borrow ice skates and sports equipment, buy T-shirts, or play the old piano. This is a Czech-style place, so youre requested to take off your shoes at the door.

Summary

Guests at Poets Corner tend to stay longer than intended or return again ... and again. It's the kind of place where you can often find like-minded travelers, with whom you can go out for a drink, take a bike ride, or stay in and play cards. This relaxing hostel is almost like staying at a friends house. And Olomouc is a place that deserves such a great hostel.

Loved it! Will be back for sure!

Fantastic place to stay. The hosts went above and beyond to make sure we had a good time in Olomouc and even arranged for us to see an ice hockey game! Stayed in double room and dorm room -- both great and spacious. Good kitchen. Relaxed atmosphere. Lots of information in English. Loved it. Will be back for sure!

Favourite hostel ever!

This place is not very attractive as you approach it on the street and there a load of stairs to climb, but it's my favourite hostel ever. It's nicely decorated, non-smoking, and the location is perfect -- right in the centre of the city near a supermarket and some good little cafes. The thing I liked most was the attention to detail. The curtains cover the windows the whole way, there's a little shelf next to each bed, the beds don't squeak or rock, and there are fresh herbs growing on the kitchen windowsill. None of that is rocket science but how many places actually get it right? Also, the owners and staff always offer to take people along on their outings. I saw a preseason ice hockey game for next to nothing, went swimming in an old quarry, and got taken to the coolest student bar that I never would have found alone. Brilliant!

Nice place, but only when owner isn't there

"Full of people who came for a night and stayed for a year"? No, not quite. The owner of this hostel plays favourites. If you are a nationality he likes (his own, for example) then you could stay a year if you wanted to. If you are a nationality he doesn't like, and you are not friends with one of the staff, then you might be subject to some version of the three days and you stink rule. It won't matter how much you try to respect the rules. This also applies if you catch him at his off-moments and he thinks you see through his facade. Phony and two-faced, he will generalise and then criticise someone for generalising. When surrounded by many backpackers, he plays cool. When not, he plays grumpy. If you see him glaring at you and you can't figure out why, not to worry -- he just doesn't like you. Then he will try and find ways to provoke you. For example, there were several identical or near-identical green cups in the kitchen. He saw me using one. A few hours later someone had left an unwashed green cup on the table. He accused me of leaving it. I said I had washed mine and put it back in its place, but he didn't accept that. Another time I was seen eating fusilli pasta. A few hours later, someone had thrown a plate of rigatoni pasta in the sink and left it there. I was blamed for this. I said I had been eating a different type of pasta, which looks nothing like rigatoni. "But you were eating pasta." Of course -- pasta is pasta! I was also blamed for "walking too loudly" and when I turned a light on and off to test it, he complained I would blow the fuse. No fun with Mr. Grumpy around.

Comfortable, fun, and relaxing

Poet's is great! The staff is nice and welcoming. Along with the resources they provide, they really want to make sure that you enjoy -- and come to love -- Olomouc like they do. I've stayed there for long and short periods and know that the staff take a personal interest in their boarders. The welcoming and friendly atmosphere makes it easy to make friends with others who are staying there. Olomouc is a great place to take a breather, relax, and Poet's Corner is the place to call home while there.

One of the best hostels I ever stayed!

What can I say more? stay here for the first time in september 2004. Booked for a night, extended it with a second night the moment we checked in. Went several times to here when I was living in Prague in 2007. This is "small" Prague but without the tourists! If you go out (and you will with the other hostel guests), end your evening in the "plane" bar just around the corner of the hostel. Just ask at the hostel -- It is a bar in an old Tu104.

Great hostel in a nice town!

I stayed two nights at the Poet's Corner. It's a really nice and cozy, warm, and calm place. It's no party place, but there is a good vibe and homey feeling. They provide lots of information about town and region. Far away from the new two hundred-beds hotel style hostels. I would like to go back again, I loved the town!