HOSTEL MARCO POLO
Youth hostel offering private rooms and dormitories in Budapest.
A large 5-storey youth hostel owned by a major group. The welcome isn't as warm as in an independent hostel, but it's still decent, and the century-old building has kept its original facade. In addition to its fifty private rooms, the hostel has 5 bright dormitories (one per floor) with 12 bunk beds separated by cubicles of 2, with the possibility of sleeping in a women-only dormitory. Laundry facilities (fee payable), kitchenette, lockable wardrobes, basement bar and breakfast room.
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Members' reviews on HOSTEL MARCO POLO
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Don't stay there unless you want to punish yourself on something that you've done. There are plenty of other options around, seriously. Just skip this one.
I liked everything.
My main gripe is unfortunately I have to report that the place does have bed bugs. On my second night/third morning, I woke up with several bites on my ankle, thigh and arm. I started reacting very strongly to the bites that continued to develop into major rashes and itching that left my skin extremely tender. There was a sign in the elevator that mentioned that "maintenance spraying" would take place in a few days, so I don't think this is the hostels first encounter with this issue.
My recommendation would be to remove the old, ugly "headboards" for each bed that are secured to the wall. Because they are so old, there are thin gaps between the boards and the wall, but because they are permanently adhered to the wall, spraying and checking for pests can't be done. The bugs are probably hiding back there because I didn't see evidence of them on the mattress (which was covered with a mattress protector). FYI, mattress protectors do not prevent bed bugs, they prevent infestation of the mattress by bed bugs, which will just hide elsewhere.
Housekeeping needs to also vacuum every room at every turnover EVERY TIME to get any eggs. Finally, get rid of the old soft, upholstered furniture and get some hard plastic furniture, even it it's cheap. No doubt bugs were hiding in the cracks of those cushions. The chair in my room was ragged, dusty and at least 10 years old. It looked like free furniture you find on a street curb.
Hope the hostel resolves this issue. It was otherwise ok for the price.