12 April 2008
Europe Accommodation
For our recent Europe trip, we used the Internet site HostelWorld to arrange all of our accommodation. This site was excellent and allowed us to make bookings that were very cheap and in central locations in nine major European cities. To keep improving the quality of the site, I have submitted feedback on each accommodation venues that we used throughout Europe. With one exception, we were very pleased with everywhere that we stayed.
Rome, Italy, Locanda Otello Rossi
$52.12/person/night
86%
Good, clean, cheap, very basic accommodation venue very close to Rome's Termini station. The location is a section of a floor in an old building. Our poor Italian was taken in good humour and we had a good stay. Avoid accidentally walking into the living quarters, and you may wish to avoid if you have animal allergies (there was a friendly dog asleep most of the time on the couch, his eyes indicated he had seen it all, ha ha ha).
Venice, Italy, Hotel Ai Tolentini
$60.07/person/night
83%
This was a very good cheap accommodation venue located close to Venice's main train station. The staff member we dealt with was friendly and helpful. We were sent to a second location, very close to the first location, but this was not such a bad thing, as the venue was recently refurbished and in great condition. Toilets and showers were clean. We could not work out the air conditioner.
Zurich, Switzerland, ZicZac Rock-Hotel
$72.98/person/night
90%
This was the highest end of our 'budget accommodation' in Europe. Staff were friendly and helpful with good advice on the local area. A bit of a walk from the main train station but entirely achievable and well located with many restaurants, bars and so forth located nearby. The room, showers and toilets were all good and clean, though there was a slight cigarette smoke smell in the room. Overall, recommended.
Munich, Germany, Easy Palace Station Hotel
$57.42/person/night
96%
This venue was a highlight of our accommodation experiences through Europe. The location here is superb, being very close to the main Munich train station and on the way to the centre of Munich. The staff were friendly and helpful, the facilities clean and the complimentary small beers in the down stairs bar well enjoyed. The included buffet breakfast was good and welcome.
Frankfurt, Germany, Hotel Europa
$48.58/person/night
96%
This was the best cheap accommodation enjoyed of the nine locations we picked across Europe. We dealt with at least three separate hosts, who were all exceptionally friendly. I had the flu, and they even divvied up a peppermint tea when I stumbled downstairs. Good television with decent cable helped at this time, as well. The food and drinks in the room were good and cheap. The simple buffet breakfast was superb. Very close to Frankfurt's main rail station and highly recommended.
Amsterdam, Netherlands, Rembrandt Square Hotel
$53.00/person/night
83%
Amusingly located above one of Amsterdam's many "coffee shops", this was a good budget venue. The facilities were all well kept and very clean, though, due to minor allergies, I experienced some discomfort with the strong cigarette smoke through the room. The staff members were quite helpful and the buffet breakfast good. The location was a bit of a walk from Amsterdam's main train station, but in a great location for access to restaurants, bars and the centre of Amsterdam. Make sure to stock up on the discount cards and all near the entrance. Also, the fire alarm works :)
Brussels, Belgium, Residence les Ecrins
$53.00/person/night
83%
A recommended budget accommodation location in Brussels. The location is some distance from the central rail station, but in a seemingly good area with a number of local eateries and conviences. Toilets, showers, towels and the room generally were clean and in good condition. The staff were friendly and kept supplying us with cans of the enjoyable Jupiler Belgian beer for only one Euro each.
Paris, France, Hotel Du Commerce
$43.28/person/night
56%
We were shuffled off to another location for the first night due to a "technical problem" that would be "resolved this evening". The other venue referred to this "technical problem" as double booking. We were told breakfast would be included for the same price, but the second venue tried to add 10 Euro for breakfast, and still charged us 1 Euro more after knocking off the breakfast.
It is the principle of these matters that annoy me. There is also the practice of charging for showers, which appears to be a local budget accommodation farce. Notably, the second venue charged more for showers than where we had booked. Also, when having to move our bags and materials for the second night, we could not check in until around 3pm, leaving our bags in an area that I was not convinced was secure.
The reason I have not given this place a complete rating thrashing is that (1) the final staff member we dealt with was friendly and helpful (2) we were, at least, provided with alternative accommodation on the first night, and (3) given our mediocre experiences generally in Paris, I am confident there is a lot worse than the clean, comfortable accommodation at this place.
London, United Kingdom, Marble Arch Inn
$49.24/person/night
80%
This was a friendly, clean accommodation venue located within walking distance of most of London's main attractions, including the Oxford Street shopping domain. A basic complimentary breakfast was included, though it was milk based. The hosts may offer a taxi like service to Heathrow airport, but I note that the (relatively slow) Tube is far, far cheaper.
