Hostel Mostel in Sofia, Bulgaria

Hostel Mostel was by far and away, my favorite experience ever staying in a hostel. I've been to quite a few during my travels, from Romania to New York City. This one was the best, and I'll tell you exactly why. For starters, the Hostel Mostel experience started from the moment my fellow travelers and I stepped off of the train. An employee from the hostel showed up to pick us up at the train station. The transportation from the train station to the hostel was not only quick and clean, it was also like getting a free tour. The driver pointed out places we may want to visit and significant sites.

Upon arriving at the hostel, the place was clean, bright, well decorated, warm, and inviting. The rules were well explained and clear, the beds were clean and comfortable, and the bathrooms felt secure and safe. Some interesting features of this hostel were the nightly complimentary spaghetti dinner (complete with free glass of beer) and the nice breakfast also offered daily. Also, there was free computer access, which is tough to find at any hostel and even some upscale hotels these days.

The Hostel is perfectly situated to experience Sofia on foot. Any good hostel worth its weight will be located very close by to some great tourist attractions. I was able to walk to a museum during my stay, an open air market, and visit a handful of unique restaurants and shops. Sofia is an absolutely lovely city, unlike anything else I've ever seen. Like many European cities, it's an interesting mix of old, ancient, and modern. There's a local skate park that was interesting as well, and plenty of bizarre sculptural structures to see that seem to be so present in many Eastern European countries. I even managed to walk to a VIP movie theater and catch a show sitting in a leather recliner with a personal waiter standing by to take my order, which I didn't take advantage of.

The hostel does have a curfew, after which the doors are locked, which made me feel even safer. There's a television in the common room, though if you've ever been to a hostel, I doubt you'll want to watch TV, you'll more likely want to spend your time talking to the other guests who come from all over the world. Again, I can't recommend this place enough. General hostel safety rules apply, of course. Go with a group, don't travel alone ever. Set out on foot together, watch out for each other's belongings, and always abide by the hostel's curfew. But remember this, your money will go much further during your travels if you learn how to safely take advantage of hostels, and Hostel Mostel is one of your best bets when it comes to cheap accommodations in Sofia, Bulgaria.