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Summary of reviewsSkansen Hostel in Stavanger stands out for its prime location, ideal for budget-conscious travelers eager to explore the old town and vibrant city center. Guests frequently praise its proximity to the charming harbor, old port area and lively bars and restaurants, making many attractions within walking distance. Views from the hostel, including those of the harbor, add to its picturesque appeal. However, the lively surroundings, including noise from a nearby bar, can sometimes disrupt a quiet night’s sleep. Despite this, the unbeatable location, which also offers easy access to bus and train stations, remains a strong draw for visitors.
Breakfast is an area where the hostel falls short, as it does not offer any morning meal options. Guests often have to find nearby cafes for their breakfast and some are disappointed that there are no on-site food or drink services available in the morning.
The rooms are described as spacious and basic with private showers and toilets. While generally clean, the facilities are quite outdated and show signs of poor maintenance, including slow-draining showers, mold and peeling paint. Despite these imperfections, the hostel is considered viable for budget travelers.
Cleanliness is a significant issue with many guests reporting dirty rooms, hallways and bathrooms. The building appears run-down and in need of renovations. Concerns include musty odors, mold, unclean bed linens and exposed electrical wires. Overall, the hostel is viewed as requiring substantial improvements to meet basic hygiene standards.
Staff at Skansen Hostel receive mixed reviews. Many guests find the team friendly, helpful and kind, particularly the bar staff. However, there are instances of inadequate staff presence during the day and unhelpful behavior from some individuals. The check-in process, involving the bar or a nearby café, can be inconvenient.
Wi-Fi connectivity is another area of dissatisfaction with many guests reporting poor or non-existent connections, especially on the top floor. Some guests note that the Wi-Fi works better on lower floors, but the overall sentiment reflects significant frustration with the internet service.
The hostel's location above a bustling bar contributes to a noisy environment, particularly during weekends. The nightlife with loud music and street parties, often disturbs guests' sleep. The noisy atmosphere and the rowdy entry through the bar and restaurant further diminish the overall experience.
On a positive note, many guests find the beds comfortable and clean with some even describing them as super comfortable. Despite a few mentions of narrow or poorly maintained beds, the consistent theme of comfort suggests that most visitors enjoy a good night's sleep.
In summary, Skansen Hostel excels in location, offering easy access to Stavanger's main attractions and vibrant atmosphere. However, it struggles with cleanliness, outdated facilities, noise and limited services, making it best suited for those who prioritize location and budget over comfort and amenities. Show more
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Hostel near Nightlife Spots
Cheap Hostel
Hostel for Adults Only
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Guest Reviews
5.3
Rated
Location
Skansen Hostel in Stavanger boasts an enviable location that has garnered high praise from its guests. Nestled right in the heart of the city, the hostel’s centrality makes it an ideal choice for travelers looking to explore the old town and the bustling city center. Many reviews highlight its proximity to key landmarks, such as the charming harbor, old port area and the lively bar and restaurant scene. Additionally, its closeness to both the bus and train stations enhances its convenience for travelers on the move.
Guests consistently describe the location as perfect, excellent and superb. It's within walking distance of many attractions, adding to its appeal as a hub for those wanting to experience the vibrant atmosphere of Stavanger. The views from the hostel, including those of the harbor, further enhance the setting, making it a picturesque spot for tourists.
However, a recurring mention of noise, especially from a nearby bar, suggests that the location's lively surroundings can sometimes compromise a quiet night’s sleep. Despite this, the overall sentiment reflects that the unbeatable location outweighs any potential drawbacks, offering a blend of accessibility, scenic views and affordability.
In summary, Skansen Hostel's prime location in Stavanger’s city center makes it a top choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the local culture and sights with most attractions just a short walk away.
Breakfast
While Skansen Hostel receives praise for its excellent location, which places guests in close proximity to local cafes and attractions, it seems to fall short in the area of breakfast offerings. The absence of breakfast is a commonly noted point of dissatisfaction among guests with many expressing disappointment over the lack of any on-site food or drink services in the morning. Some guests were disheartened that breakfast was not provided, despite it being included in their stay price. Furthermore, the hostel does not offer the possibility to purchase breakfast because the bar remains closed in the morning. Consequently, guests often have to seek nearby cafes for their morning meals. Overall, while the hostel excels in location, its morning meal options leave much to be desired.
Rooms
Skansen Hostel offers basic yet spacious rooms that cater to single travelers looking for an economical stay. While the rooms are modest and not newly furnished, they are generally clean, featuring a private shower and toilet. However, many guests noted that the bathrooms and facilities are quite outdated and sometimes poorly maintained with issues such as slow-draining showers, mold, peeling paint and noisy rooms with poor insulation. Despite these drawbacks, the hostel remains a viable option for budget-conscious travelers.
Beds
The beds at Skansen Hostel have garnered a mixed range of reviews but generally lean toward the positive. Many guests have found the beds to be comfortable and clean with terms like comfy beds and super comfortable beds frequently mentioned. Some reviewers particularly appreciated the good beds, noting that a good bed is the most important aspect of their stay. However, there are also notable mentions of less satisfactory experiences, such as narrow and uncomfortable beds, mattresses that are older than a forest and instances of the bed being poorly maintained or stained. Nevertheless, a consistent theme of comfort does emerge, indicating that, for many, the beds provide a good night's sleep.
Cleanliness
Skansen Hostel has repeatedly come under scrutiny for its cleanliness and maintenance issues. Reviews indicate that the rooms, hallways and bathrooms are often dirty with visible mold and musty odors pervading many areas. The entire building appears run-down and in desperate need of repairs and renovations. Guests have reported unclean bed linens, dirty floors and a general lack of hygiene throughout the property. The bathrooms, in particular, are frequently described as filthy with mold, unpleasant smells and even exposed electrical wires. Many reviewers have noted an overall unpleasant ambiance, exacerbated by noise from nearby bars and inadequate insulation. While some guests found their beds clean and comfortable, the overwhelming consensus is that Skansen Hostel requires significant improvements to meet basic cleanliness and maintenance standards.
Staff
Skansen Hostel receives mixed reviews regarding its staff, but numerous guests highlight the friendliness and helpfulness of the team. Many describe the staff as approachable, kind and genuinely considerate. The bar staff, in particular, stand out for their welcoming demeanor. Guests appreciated the assistance offered with heavy luggage and noted a pleasant atmosphere overall.
However, some reviews point to areas for improvement. Issues such as the lack of staff presence during the daytime and unhelpful behavior from certain individuals were mentioned. Check-in processes that involve the bar or a nearby café can be inconvenient and there have been instances where staff forgot to perform essential tasks like opening the hostel at the specified time. Despite these setbacks, the overall friendly disposition of the staff leaves a good impression on many visitors.
Wi-Fi
Visitors to Skansen Hostel commend the functionality within their rooms and notably appreciate having one of the most powerful showers in Norway. However, the Wi-Fi consistently receives poor reviews. Many guests report that the Wi-Fi does not reach their rooms with some specifically mentioning issues on the top floor, where it barely works or is non-existent. Despite isolated comments that the Wi-Fi is good or works only on certain lower floors, the overarching sentiment reflects significant dissatisfaction with internet connectivity throughout the hostel.
Nightlife
Nestled in a convenient location by the waterfront with picturesque views and close proximity to all major attractions, Skansen Hostel offers ease of access to the vibrant heart of the city. However, the nightlife scene just outside the hostel predominantly defines the atmosphere around it. Situated above a bustling bar, guests can expect to experience a cacophony of sounds from the street parties and the bar’s loud music, which plays until the early hours of the morning. Noise from the downstairs pub and the bar’s patrons resonates throughout the establishment, even reaching the higher floors. Street noise from the lively nightlife outside can also be a significant disturbance, especially over the weekend.
Travelers seeking rest and quiet may find it challenging to get a good night's sleep without the aid of noise-canceling headphones. The bar and the surrounding area contribute to a persistent clamor that fills the air late into the night. The entry to the hostel, which goes through a bar and restaurant frequented by inebriated customers, adds to the overall rowdy atmosphere.
Despite its advantageous location, Skansen Hostel struggles with maintenance issues. Echoes of disrepair can be seen in its outdated look and the less-than-clean state of the entrance. The hallway on the first floor has reportedly had an unpleasant smell, further diminishing the guest experience.
Service-wise, morning inquiries and requests might be delayed until the bartender-receptionist becomes available later in the day. Overall, Skansen Hostel is best suited for those who can embrace or overlook the busy nightlife and are looking for a central spot to explore the city’s sights.
No, Skansen Hostel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Skansen Hostel.
No, Skansen Hostel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Skansen Hostel.