The Hostel seems to have some good things going for it like the location, price, game area, mattresses, bathrooms, coffee service, and kitchen. However, it has some not so good things going for it. I encourage you to read on.
The location is great. It's an easy 5 minute walk to the lifts. The price is much lower than the other hotels in the area. If you're on a budget, it will save you some money. The game area in the basement was nice and there's a kitchen down there too. The bathrooms in the rooms look newer and the mattresses seemed to be in good condition.
When I checked in, the staff told me there's "free coffee" lobby. I was impressed because the coffee was actually pretty good. That is, after I reminded the staff to brew it... They kept forgetting. However, when I check out, I noticed a "Resort Fee" for $4.56 a night on my bill. Did I miss something? I didn't know I was staying at a resort! Ha!
I asked a front desk clerk about the "Resort Fee" and he said it was for things like the coffee and fee ice. I said: "Oh, I thought there was a secret hot tub somewhere that I didn't know about. This being a resort and all..."
Personally, I find it really shady to tell people the coffee is free, then sneak a charge onto their bill for it. They even advertise free coffee on their website. Here's a quote from the site: "A coffee experience in our lobby, with organically grown, just-ground blends from Jackson's own JH Roasters, served up in coffee brewers that keep it hot and fresh. So tasty. And also now FREE." False advertising!!! It's not free!!!
Also I'm being charged for ice? It's 8 degrees at mid-day and there's two feet of snow on the ground. Why would I need free ice? I could leave a jar of mayonnaise out in the sun all day and it wouldn't spoil. Have you ever heard of a hotel charging for ice anyway? Shady!
Beside being charged for "Free Coffee" and for the ice. There were some other issues. The mattress was too small for the bed frame. It actually looks like the bed frame was hammered together with 2x4s. It seemed to go hand in hand with the plywood walls that don't filter any sound. I could hear my German neighbors playing techno music late into the night.
The worst part was the door! It didn't fit into the frame very well and the weather stripping was limited to the bottom. There was a terrible wind blowing through the gaps around the door and my feet were really cold. It got so bad the second night I had to stuff newspapers into the gaps around the door. No kidding! I even took pictures.
These guys even charged me a "Cancellation Fee" of $9.13 when I decided not to stay a fourth night. I gave them a couple days notice about the change in plans but they charged me anyway. I worked in the hotel business for years for many different chains. We never charged anyone a fee unless they cancelled after 6pm on the night of the reservation.
I leave it to you to decide if the "Free Coffee" discounted rate, kitchen and location are worth it. Personally, I was really disappointed and don't trust the staff. I'll never go back. read more