Where Is Joey Today?

Accommodation Roundup

Over a few months in Europe I stayed in a variety of places that ranged from personal homes, rented apartments, buses and bus stations, trains, hostels and even a couple of hotels.

In order of usage:

The Generator - London -- In the Russel Square area, cheap party hostel. You either love it or hate it. Personally I felt the police coming every night was a bit excessive. I wasn't a huge fan but under different circumstances I would likely feel differently.

The Globetrotter - London -- In the Ravenscourt Garden area, was a bit quiet back in January. Fairly social (I believe there was a bar downstairs) but it was out in the suburbs in Zone 2. I personally got a better deal by booking online than what they offer at the desk (6.50 GBP vs 19GBP)

Hostal Suizo - Seville -- I think this Hostel was also an Hostal. Centrally located off Plaza Nueva right near Calle Sierpes. It was fairly decent but there are better options

Hostal Santa Maria de la Blanca - Sevilla -- A one star pension on la Puerta de la Carne. Right on the edge of Barrio Santa Cruz closest to Mendez-Pelayo. It was about 40 Euros which is roughly the price for two people at a local hostel. a decent bet for people that want a cheap well located hotel in an authentic setting for poco dinero.

Samay Hostel - Sevilla -- One of the nicer youth hostels I have ever stayed in. Nice deck upstairs with a great view of the Giralda. Best kitchen I have seen. Two thumbs up. Around 18 euros a night. The only downside is that between the deck, kitchen and common room it divides the meeting place up a bit.

Rising Cock Hostel - Lagos -- This may be the best hostel in the world...it is definitely my favorite. Mama's crepes, comfortable clean hostel, with an impressive movie, TV show collection and a big screen plasma. Great eats in the neighborhood. Nanabar (Toucan burger! I recommend ordering it Medium Endangered), chicken man etc. Awesome city, cool beaches, and ubersocial common room make this place top most people's list.

Hotel Olissippo Marquês de Sá - Lisbon -- A kick ass 3 star hotel gotten for us by the Tios. Centrally located (5-10 minutes to two metro stops). Just down the street and to the left (keeping the hotel behind you and on the left) is a tasty Chinese restaurant (I went with lucky #127 on the menu).

Sant Jordi Arago - Barcelona -- Right off of Passeig de Gracias, you can't get a better location if you tried. Small hostel run by a friendly trio. Only downside is the ratio of beds to showers is a little tight so you may have to wait.

Salvia Hotel - Andorra la Vella -- A three star hotel at a hostel double room price. Right in the middle of town (although pretty much any hotel would be). Recommended

Wira Hostel - Hamburg -- Cheap place (10 euros?) but massive refundable key deposit (50E!?!). It is more or less central. Em and I were literally there for a day so the nearly absolute silence and sterile atmosphere wasn't too important.

Circus Hostel - Berlin -- Practically inside the Rosenthaler Platz metro station. In the former East Germany, 24 hour eateries abound some for less than 3 euros. The hostel itself is clean and modern, shared bathrooms are plentiful. There is a bar downstairs with things like a Wii , Karaoke etc. A great option for those wanting to hit up Berlin.

The Wombat City Hostel -- Munich - I have always wanted to be able to say "Everytime I come go to Europe I stay at "X" " The Wombat ist meine haus in Munchen. It seems to be showing slight signs of wear over my last visit but still among Europe's best. The Wombar is usually pretty hoppin downstairs although I didn't use it much on this past stay.

Sir Toby's Hostel - Prague -- Out in Prague VII so you are 30 minutes from the old town and Wenceslas Square (imo a bit overrated) by foot. The hostel itself has great breakfasts for 100 CZK, and a cool basement/bar area.

Flamingo's Hostel - Krakow -- We went from being far from everything to being on top of everything. 50m at most from the main square. Smallish hostel with a TV with cable (handy for those days where it rained from morning until evening) everything is clean, board games the usual. Nice place...

Hostel Ruthensteiner's - Vienna -- We stayed at the Summerhouse but the original is equally nice (if not nicer). Right down the street from the Wombat Lounge and across from Mozart Stuberl.

Hippo Hostel - Budva, Montenegro -- Very cool place along the Adriatic. The hostel is relatively tiny (20 beds?) and like Lagos, the main attraction is the beach and old town so you tend to hang out with the same people all day. Kotor is a good day trip. One of my top 5 hostels for sure. It is a seasonal place and as of now Dave and Nadya appear to be closing shop in November 2008 for good. Get there while you can!

Palmer's Lodge - London -- Big "sleep factory" style hostel (not that there is anything wrong with that). Clean, convenient to Zone 2 metro station Swiss Cottage. 15 minutes or less to Green Park.

--Joey