Editor Pick
Kismet Dao - Wow!
- July 10, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
dangaroo from Warsaw, Poland
Kismet Dao Hostel is a hostel in Brasov, Romania. It's semi-owned by a Korean thus the intriguing name.
Although the hostel is the opposite end of the old town from the Central Train/Mini Bus station, it's easy to get to, here are some
instructions borrowed from their website:
Taxi: A ride from the train station should cost about 3 EUROS or 10 RON (as of Dec 2006). Use only taxis with company names on them (e.g. RO, ATI, MARTAX, TOD) and make sure they turn the meter on. It is better most times to take a taxi than a bus.
Bus: Take bus #51 from the train station to the last stop at Piata Unirii. Each ticket costs 1.2 lei which you buy from a kiosk. Make sure you validate your ticket on board and watch out for pickpockets!
By Foot: From the #51 bus stop (Piata Unirii) walk to St. Nicolas Church (in your front left), then walk uphill on Balea Street (between the church and the big Coca-cola sign),
then take the first right on to Str. Democratiei.
Look for the green gate and fences on your right with number 2B.
They normally have a character working in their office at the train station who will help you find the way to the bus stop etc. Personally I wouldn't worry too much about pickpockets, despite months of travelling in Romania, I've never had any problems. Then again, some people (mostly Americans) still strangely keep their wallet in their backpocket. Surely a dumb thing to do anywhere.
The staff are helpful and friendly, the hostel organises cheap tours to nearby destinations like Bran Castle, it has a room downstairs where you can enjoy a beer or two and listen to music or have loud parties, close to the reception is a Television room where they have cable television and very comfy sofas. The hostel also sells its own beer and you get a free one for every day you stay (if you don't drink, you can have water or soft drink), a free breakfast made up of toast, jam and coffee is also available and definitely worth abusing if you are on a budget. They offer a free laundry service, baggage storage and safe and the hostel itself is only a short walk (about 5 minutes) in a straight line from the old town! There is a bathroom on each floor (4) and the water is always hot but particularly piping in the middle of the afternoon when it's had time to relax after being overused in the morning! As I recall the bottom one is always hotter for some reason!
One of my favourite things about this hostel are the terraces on each floor, I particularly enjoyed sitting on the terrace by the kitchen and drinking a beer with the enjoyable view of the hills of Brasov behind it. The hostel (apart from the room downstairs before the cleaner has managed to get to it) is always spotless and everything tends to look brand spanking new. There is also a left item section and this can be a great place to pick up some *new* clothes if you've been on the road for a long time! Just be careful you don't mistake the dirty laundry for the left luggage or vice-versa.
The selection of rooms starts at 40 Lei (about 12 euros) for a 10 bed dorm up to 130 Lei (do the maths!) for a large private room (of which there is only one but there are various others outside of the hostel which they can hook you up with)
All in all, a really enjoyable place to stay and one of my favourite hostels in Europe, I spent a couple of weeks there once as Brasov is easily one of my favourite places in Europe.
Address:Str. Democratiei 2
Brasov 2200
Romania
Telephone:514-296 inside Brasov
0268-514-296 inside Romania
(40) 268-514-296 outside Romania
Email:brasov@kismetdao.com
www.kismetdao. com
From journal A Little Look into Transylvania
Kismet Dao Villa
- March 24, 2005
- Rated 4 of 5 by
cassans from Exeter, United Kingdom
A bright and fun hostel with friendly staff, always pleased to help. The hostel has its own kitchen, living room, and balcony with lovely views.
From journal Romania - Brasov