Rastel Hostel -- Budapest

[Sijuki]

Rastel Hostel in Budapest, Hungary is the first Hostel I've ever stayed. It some ways it seems kind of sketch, and I thought this as I was trying to locate it on google maps after I booked it up until the time I checked in.

It is a bit away from the main downtown, but not more than a short 10 minute walk. It has no sign. It shares space with a ruin bar that is called "Gondozo", it really doesn't have a sign either. It has a beer sign hanging off the building. You walk in the main door and there is a door on the left side. This is the entrance to the hostel. This door is locked. I had to walk to the back, to ask if the hostel was even there. Luckily someone was leaving so I got in.

You go up the stairs and there is a landing with a small desk. The girl that was there was very polite. It's a pretty small place. It seems 2 or 3 small rooms with 4 beds each. 2 bathrooms, 2 showers, a kitchen with whatever you would need. It seemed cozy enough, and was cheap enough for my tastes. They give you a code for the main door and their door and a key for your room.

She asked if I needed to know of any sights to see, I said no I had a good plan, she said she would just show me a few places on a map. Proceeded to tell me about the whole city, including the new #4 Metro line. It was nice to see she was excited to talk about her city. That seemed a good point. There were 2 other people in my room, they were not there at the time. I settled in, and took the opportunity to charge my electronics a bit and got set to go explore a bit.

The bed is ok, nothing fancy but not uncomfortable. They have storage chests by the beds you can use, and will give you a lock if you need it. Wasn't very busy, but wasn't surprised with how 'speakeasy' it was. They have someone who hangs out as 'security' all the time. Seems a little weird at night to walk out and have someone just sitting there. That was probably the oddest part. The two people came back late, and left the next day so didn't really converse much with them.

Rastel Hostel
1082 Budapest, Vajdahunyad u. 4.

Main streets are Josef krt. and Baross u.

Pros: Clean, Cheap, Nice Staff, Felt Safe, Bathrooms sufficient
Cons: A bit from town (~10 min walk), weird security guy.

I would stay here again.

[travelpunk]

Thanks for the review, bro!

Sketchy as in you felt that he might actually steal things from travelers?

Sounds like the hostel was neither here nor there, but at least you had a friendly receptionist (which many don't have) and virtually a whole room to yourself.

[Sijuki]

Just sort of disconcerting I guess. It wasn't like I felt he was going to steal anything or anything like that... just that weirdness of someone always being a matter of feet from your door. But perhaps that was just me.

[travelpunk]

Yeah, I feel ya, especially if they give off a funky vibe. Good thing it turned out to be all good

[Sijuki]

I'd go back, I'd definitely go if I was gonna go with 3 other people and just get a room to ourselves. Since it is kind of low key.


A few shots from the room

[travelpunk]

Did they have private rooms available there or were you looking for the dorm style experience? I was during spring break (for Spaniards at least). Was it busy this time of year?

[Sijuki]

I think on hostelbookers it said they had private rooms... I was looking for the cheap route, and a 4 bed room isn't too bad. I only saw 3 other people there while I was there.

[travelpunk]

Ahh, so spring breakers didn't quite make it that far then. That's good to know for future reference.

In the past, if privates weren't available, I would book double rooms and just buy out the other bed to have the room all to myself. I think I would still do that if I were traveling with more expensive items like my macbook and a dslr camera and such. I would just hate to wake up or return from being out all day to find my stuff being stolen and locker broken into.

[Sijuki]

I kept all my stuff on me at all times, and even slept on my coat that I kept it in. While not 100% I'm sure it would be somewhat dissuasive.

[travelpunk]

Originally Posted by Sijuki

I kept all my stuff on me at all times, and even slept on my coat that I kept it in. While not 100% I'm sure it would be somewhat dissuasive.

I was a bit paranoid on my first trip to Europe that, even though I stayed in private rooms at every hostel I stayed in, I slept with my money belt on that contained everything from passport, id's, and money, to my plane and Eurail tickets.

I'm a deep sleeper when I drink so I wouldn't have heard anyone if they came in while I was asleep.

You just never know who has access to what and at the time, there were no review sites online.