Editor Pick
Sputnik
- October 23, 2004
- Rated 3 of 5 by
lrybka from Moscow, Russia
I was on a rather tight budget on my first trip, so I visited CKM, the local student travel center, to find myself a place to sleep. Their travel specialists, explained to me that I was very lucky and directed me to the Sputnik Hostel, advising me to buy the Youth Hostel Association Card beforehand at their offices for what was approximately $6. Their advice proved valuable - for YHA members, the cost is $15, while for non-members, it can be several times higher. It depends on the season, since during the high months, it is fully booked by organized tour groups.
Admittedly, the location is not brilliant, since the eastern outskirt of Bratislava is not the prettiest place to stay. However, there are good transportation connections, with trams nos. 8, 9, and 12, as well as bus nos. 34, 38, and 54. But the price is more than reasonable, and the setting acceptable, given that it is a high-rise building on the shores of an artificially created pond.
Rooms are simple and can accommodate two people. The most basic amenities are present, and bathrooms can be either shared between several rooms or included en-suite. The rooms with en-suite bathrooms can cost significantly more. Sometimes the hostel staff might refuse to book a double room for a single person when the hostel is overbooked. But that is a rare occasion, and even if you have no travel companion, you should be able to settle yourself in comfortably. When booking the hostel (and, due to the fact that it can get overbooked, I strongly recommend making reservations at least a fortnight before arrival in summer), check out whether the breakfast is included, which is again rather simple, but nutritious.
The hostel itself has an Internet connection point (rather expensive by local standards), a bar with sports coverage, and a mess where you can purchase some of the cheapest food in the Slovakian capital. When I stayed there, no credit cards were accepted, so keep some cash close at hand.
From journal Bratislava Travels