Reviews of IF Hostel

10 February 2012 Stepan would recommend this property

Liked: Only location

Disliked: No breakfast, no luggage room

28 December 2011 Alexander would recommend this property

Liked: Dimitry was a really nice guy and was soo helpful! Cheap, great location, and very relaxed!

Disliked: Could do with a sofa, washing was expensive.

03 April 2011 Michael would recommend this property

Liked: Extremely friendly and helpful staff. Great with organising onward journey. Even altered the security protocol on the WiFi router so we could get our iPods working on it. Good value. Small and homely atmosphere.

Disliked: Mattresses are virtually non-existent which led to some very uncomfortable nights sleep.

08 February 2011 Yulia would recommend this property

Liked: The selfless service of the host, Dimitri.

Disliked: not much.

26 December 2010 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Fast Internet, cheap.

Disliked: Be aware that Dmitri (the owner) charges you fees for any help that he provides without disclosing the cost. For example, he offered to help me buy train tickets as I was about to head out the door to buy them myself. He said he'll do it online for me. I thought, that's very kind of him, as it's -20c outside. But when it came to paying, the money he asked for was quite more expensive (about 200 Rubles more - +30% of the price of the ticket!) than I last checked online about 10mins ago myself. When pressed he finally said it was to pay for his help. He then claimed that this service fee will be charged by the train station even if I went to buy them myself, which was a complete lie, as I bought the tickets at the online price later on. He had pulled the same stunt earlier by arranging a bus ticket to Olkhon island for 600rubles when the normal price is 500 for tourists. I wouldn't mind paying for his help as long as he was honest about it.

08 October 2010

Liked: We arrived on the day that the old owners were leaving and the new owner was arriving, so a bit of a tricky time. Overall it was fine. Dimitry, the new owner is really really nice and even took us for a walk and to the Mongolian Embassy to help us with our visas, which we really really appreciated. On the other hand though many of the services advertised on the website were no longer available, although I see he has updated the website now, and he reduced the price so it kind of evened out, just not what we expected though. We stayed for three nights and by the time we left the place was in much need of a good clean! We were in the 5 bed dorm which was spacious. Very very thin matresses and mosquitos. There is also a 2 bed dorm (matresses on ground) and a cheaper 2-bed dorm which is bunk beds in the common room.

Disliked: Juliet left no negative feedback.

08 August 2010 David would recommend this property

Liked: Funny place with Sowjet charm, staff was great!

Disliked: The mattress was a bit hard in the bed, but that was also in Sowjet time

04 August 2010 Tina would recommend this property

Liked: Very nice place with family flair! We enjoyed our stay here. Thanks to Olga and Maxim, the friendly staff members, for being so helpful with organizing bus and accommodation on Olchon Island and providing a lot of information of the city. We are especially greatful that they managed to book us train tickets late in the night on the internet although almost all tickets were already sold out! Maxim, you are a booking expert indeed! Thanks for all.

Disliked: Tina left no negative feedback.

28 July 2010 Richard would recommend this property

Liked: The staff here will go out of their way to make sure you have everything you need. They're also fun people. The hostel is very comfortable, with good facilities and a good atmosphere. Highly recommended!

Disliked: Richard left no negative feedback.

04 July 2010

Liked: Free washing machine, free 10 mins international call to most countries and Wifi.

Disliked: We might have caught IF Hostel on a bad day - but it was almost impossible to find - we were lucky we'd written down the door code from the website as we just had to try several doors in various buildings till one worked as there was no sign and no bell to ring. The owner was out of town, and had left a mate in charge - who was asleep when we arrived (even though we'd told them our train arrival time) so we were just lucky that one of the guests was up and about at 8:30am and could hear us banging on the door. We only found out about the hostel and where things were etc from the other guests as out host slept till mid-afternoon. Has a kitchen (small) and a lounge (but has 2 bunk beds in there so it's really someone's bedroom) and the double room is just 2 mattresses on the floor- both very uncomfortable. Sorry IF Hostel - try better.

28 June 2010 David would recommend this property

Liked: Likely the best value place in Irkutsk. The staff and owner were very helpful and seemed genuinely interested in our travels.

Disliked: Nothing to dislike. Internet is free, wi-fi in the property and free use of kitchen/refrigerator.

11 June 2010

Liked: Far from the bus station if you plan to take any side trips. There are no signs or markers to suggest a hostel, and taxi drivers won't know where its at so be prepared. The hall smells like cat pee immediately when you walk in. Its really just a person's apartment with 6 bunk beds, and the bathroom is disgusting with dirt and mold on the tub. If you're only staying one night and not planning to shower its fine, but not more than that.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

18 May 2010 Freek would recommend this property

Liked: - very friendly atmosphere - really helpful administrator- best location- free international calls- free internet day and night- kitchen- nice guest from all around the world

Disliked: Freek left no negative feedback.

22 April 2010 Rowan would recommend this property

Liked: I really enjoyed my stay at If Hostel. Maxim was very helpful and had lots of suggestions for things to do, so even though I was travelling by myself I was never bored! It was really warm and comfy and I felt at home! IF hostel is a great place to stay if you want to meet real Russian people and experience their culture. The free breakfast and internet was a plus too. I definately recommend IF hostel to other travellers!

Disliked: Rowan left no negative feedback.

06 January 2010 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: More of a guesthouse than a hostel but the staff are friendly, the place is clean and in a good location.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

05 November 2009 Jonathan David would recommend this property

Liked: IF Hostel is very cozy and convenient. It's like staying in someone's apartment. The staff is very helpful and friendly. It's within walking distance to most of the main attractions in Irkutsk. I would recommend this hostel to everyone coming to Irkutsk.

Disliked: Jonathan David left no negative feedback.

13 October 2009 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: The central location and friendly staff made this the best hostel I have stayed in Russia. From the first night they organised to show us around the city which was followed by an invitation to watch a soccer game at one our hosts apartment. The communist style theme set this hostel apart from others that were on offer.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.