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Summary of reviewsHostel Merlin, centrally located in Český Krumlov, offers a delightful experience enhanced by its prime spot along the Vltava River and within the historic center. The picturesque views, especially from rooms and the common balcony, add a unique charm to the stay. Guests find the hostel's location ideal for exploring the old town, St. Vitus Cathedral and other local attractions, all within a short walk. Despite its central position, the area remains calm, offering a peaceful retreat enriched by beautiful surroundings.
The hostel consistently earns praise for its cleanliness. Visitors frequently commend the neat and tidy rooms, clean bathrooms and overall well-maintained premises. The shared kitchen facilities, though lacking some modern amenities, are appreciated for their organization and functionality. The cleanliness of the communal areas further contributes to a pleasant stay.
While the rooms may be small, their old-fashioned feel and charming features like slanted ceilings in attic spaces enhance the experience. Guests find the wooden beds generally comfortable, although some mention the mattresses' firmness. Cleanliness in the rooms is a standout feature with tidy sheets and well-maintained spaces. However, some minor repairs such as shower doors could improve the bathrooms. Heating during winter and the presence of beautiful views from certain rooms add to the comfort.
The staff at Hostel Merlin receive glowing reviews for their exceptional friendliness and helpfulness. Guests frequently acknowledge Alex, the host, for his warm and accommodating assistance. The team's readiness to offer maps, recommendations and help with luggage enhances the welcoming atmosphere of the hostel. Despite the occasional absence, the overall sentiment towards the staff remains strongly positive.
The Wi-Fi service at Hostel Merlin garners mixed feedback. While it works well during the day, offering stable and reliable connectivity, issues arise in the evenings when it often becomes overloaded and slow. Some rooms have weak connections, impacting those needing consistent access.
Parking at the hostel is convenient with options for private and secured spaces at affordable rates. Guests appreciate the ease of parking near the property, though securing a spot can sometimes require prior arrangements. The hostel also offers free parking areas which are appreciated by visitors.
Overall, Hostel Merlin is celebrated for its excellent value, cleanliness and friendly staff, making it a desirable option for those wishing to experience the historic charm of Český Krumlov with comfort and convenience. Some areas, such as Wi-Fi and bedding, could benefit from improvements, but the positive aspects significantly enhance the overall guest experience. Show more
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Categories
Cheap Hostel
Located in the heart of Český Krumlov, this hostel provides affordable accommodation. It's ideal for budget travelers and backpackers looking for a central location to explore the town.
Dog Friendly Hostel
Dogs Stay Free
Hostel with Parking
Hostel for Adults Only
Small Hostel
Hostel where Dogs Stay Free
Room Types
Standard Twin RoomThis room features a bed, reading lamp, chair, clothes rack and street view.
Standard Single Room with Street ViewThe single room provides a private entrance and heating, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower. The single room features city views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Single Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory has a private entrance.
Standard Triple RoomThis room features a bed, reading lamp, chair, clothes rack and street view.
Guest Reviews
8.6
Very Good
Location
Hostel Merlin enjoys a prime location in the heart of Český Krumlov. Nestled right by the Vltava River and within the historic center, the hostel offers picturesque views that guests can appreciate from rooms and a delightful common balcony. The convenience of its central location allows easy access to all main attractions, including the old town, St. Vitus Cathedral and various charming streets and squares. Additionally, it is only a short walk from the bus station, making it simple for travelers to reach the accommodation.
Guests highlight the excellent value for money given its superb location. The surrounding area remains calm despite being central, offering a peaceful retreat within walking distance to everything the quaint town has to offer. Surrounded by beautiful vistas, the hostel is ideal for those wanting to explore Český Krumlov on foot. The unique charm of staying in a traditional house adds to the overall experience, making it feel like a fairy tale.
Hostel Merlin also receives praise for its cleanliness and the helpfulness of the staff, contributing to a comfortable stay. With amenities such as well-equipped kitchens on each floor, guests find everything they need conveniently within reach. This combination of prime location, beautiful surroundings and excellent facilities consistently earns Hostel Merlin rave reviews.
Rooms
Hostel Merlin in Cesky Krumlov offers a range of rooms that, while generally small, are clean and comfortable. Many guests noted the charm of the building, which maintains an old-fashioned, homely feel with antique touches. Some rooms have unique features, such as slanted ceilings in attic spaces, adding character to the stay. Despite the simplicity in furnishings, the wooden beds are widely noted as comfortable, though some found the mattresses a bit hard.
Several reviews mentioned that rooms were upgraded upon arrival, which came as a pleasant surprise. The cleanliness of the rooms is consistently highlighted with many stating the sheets and rooms themselves were very tidy. The bathrooms, while sometimes described as small and in need of minor repairs, such as dysfunctional shower doors, were also clean. Shared kitchen facilities, although lacking in some modern amenities like a microwave, were appreciated for their neatness and functionality.
Heating during winter was reported as sufficient and despite the smaller size of some rooms, they often felt homely and manageable for short stays. Some rooms offer beautiful views and private terraces, which many enjoyed.
In conclusion, Hostel Merlin is a well-located, budget-friendly option with clean and characterful accommodations, ideal for short stays and those looking to experience the historic charm of Cesky Krumlov.
Beds
Hostel Merlin has received mixed feedback regarding its beds. Guests often found the beds quite comfortable with several reviewers noting that they provide a decent night’s sleep and are actual single beds rather than bunks. Others pointed out that the wooden beds were wide and comfortable. However, there were numerous complaints about the beds being noisy and creaky with mattresses often described as thin and in need of replacement. Some beds were reported as hard and uncomfortable with old, worn-out mattresses that contributed to an uncomfortable sleeping experience for some guests. Bedding, including sheets and blankets, was occasionally noted as not very clean with some guests mentioning dust and stains. Overall, while some found the beds comfortable, there is a clear consensus that improvements are needed, especially in terms of mattress quality and noise reduction.
Cleanliness
Hostel Merlin stands out for its exceptional cleanliness across various areas of the property. Guests regularly remarked on the pristine and tidy rooms, clean bathrooms and overall neat premises, which contribute significantly to the comfort and pleasant stay the hostel provides. The washrooms, including shared ones, are consistently highlighted for their cleanliness and efficient hot water facilities.
Despite a few minor issues like the need for updating bedding and towels and occasional problems with old furniture, most areas in the hostel are maintained well, ensuring a hygienic environment. Some guests noted that immediate attention is given to any cleanliness concerns, reflecting a responsive and attentive service. The common areas are also commended for being well-kept and enjoyable.
In general, Hostel Merlin offers good value for money with a notable focus on keeping the property clean and inviting, which greatly enhances the overall guest experience. The clean premises, from rooms to shared facilities, along with the helpful and friendly staff, contribute to a positive stay at the hostel.
Staff
Hostel Merlin leaves a lasting impression primarily through its exceptional staff, drawing consistent praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness. Guests frequently highlight Alex, the host, for his welcoming demeanor and readiness to assist, often described as going out of his way to ensure a pleasant stay. The staff as a whole is commended for being accommodating and proactive with several reviews pointing out their willingness to provide city maps and recommendations, assist with luggage and clarify check-in procedures.
Visitors appreciate the warm and approachable nature of the team, expressing gratitude for the personal touches such as enthusiastic introductions and useful city insights. Despite a few mentions of occasional staff absences, the overwhelming sentiment remains positive with terms like "super attentive," "very kind," and "exceptionally friendly" common throughout the reviews.
Overall, the consistent recognition of the staff's dedication and hospitality makes Hostel Merlin stand out as a welcoming and supportive environment for travelers.
Wi-Fi
Hostel Merlin offers Wi-Fi service with mixed reviews from its guests. Many guests appreciated that the Wi-Fi worked well during the day with some even describing it as great and very stable. However, there are notable issues reported, particularly in the evenings when the Wi-Fi can become overloaded and slow. Connectivity issues appear to be inconsistent with some rooms having weak or unstable connections and in some cases, guests couldn't connect at all. Overall, while there are periods during which the Wi-Fi performs adequately, improvements in speed and stability would enhance the experience for those needing reliable internet access throughout their stay.
Parking
Hostel Merlin offers a convenient parking experience for guests with options ranging from private and secured spaces to affordable rates. While parking is available right next to the hostel and in the city center, securing a spot can sometimes require prior contact or explicit directions from the reception. Guests have mentioned the ease and accessibility of parking, applauding the availability of spaces directly in front of the property for a modest fee of 6 Euros. Though the steep cobblestone slopes may pose a minor challenge, the overall parking situation is doable. For those looking for free parking, there are areas available that guests have found particularly appealing. Despite the limited number of spaces, the hostel has a separate lot beside the guesthouse which enhances availability. However, the parking has undergone some changes recently, so it's advisable to confirm any specific requirements or fees in advance.
No, Hostel Merlin doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hostel Merlin.
Yes, Hostel Merlin welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Hostel Merlin.