Reviews of Baikaler Hostel

16 October 2011 James would recommend this property

Liked: I stayed in Baikaler Hostel in Urkutsk and then in Baikaler Eco Lodge, owned by the same people, in Lithvyanka (not sure of spelling) on lake Baikal. The staff are very nice and helpful at both, the atmosphere is laid-back. The Eco-lodge is beautiful. We had a nice time at both places. They were kept clean and we would definitely recommend them to other tourists.

Disliked: nothing. Maybe could have done with a small oven.

09 October 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Good location, Eco-hostel in Listyvanka owned by same people is also very good

Disliked: The girl in our dorm who decided to wake us up by re-packing her whole backpack with the main light on at 1am when she'd been sat in the common room area reading for the previous 3 hours!

25 September 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Comfy and good location

Disliked: Nothing that's worth mentioning

13 September 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Good location, easy to find, good atmosphere.

Disliked: Avoid the tours! We naively accepted one of the Olkhon tour packages recommended without clarifying individual prices, assuming it would be fairly priced. However, when we met others on the same tour who paid each element separately, which already included booking fees, we realised we had been ripped off. There was a 38% mark up for exactly the same itinerary. I quizzed the staff on this and the only explanation I received was "Manager's Fee". The hostel itself was decent, but being taken advantage of on the tour detracted from the overall impression, Ultimately we were naive and should not have been so trusting.

31 August 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: The central location!!!

Disliked: nothing in particular...

27 August 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: l'ambiance, la localisation, la propreté

Disliked: attention: l hotel accepte les réservations même s'ils n'ont plus de chambres disponibles et vous "placent" dans d'autres endroits d'Irkoutsk qui peuvent aller du bien...au moins bien (expérience faite en été 2010)

22 August 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Staff always tried to help despite not having space in the hostel they helped lots of people find other places to stay. Goof location, provided maps, GREAT shower, comfortable beds, free tea and coffee, etc.

Disliked: Using facilities after you check out carries an extra charge.

11 August 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: good showers, nice room, can organise transport to olkhon island directly from the hostel

Disliked: no common area to wait in when we arrived really early from our train.

07 August 2011 James would recommend this property

Liked: All staff extrememly helpful! They recently opened Baikaler Eco Hostel in Listvyanka - highly recommended for any stays down by Lake Baikal!

Disliked: Nothing!

20 July 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: familial; very clean; central located; for 200 you can stay the whole day, that is fine, if your train goes at the night; good service to finde a private sleeping accommodation, if the hostle is fully booked; the stuff help you organice a daytrip and call for you.

Disliked: There are no save deposit boxes.

10 July 2011 Anna Catarina would recommend this property

Liked: It has everything the backpacker needs: good shower, good beds, good location and free wi-fi.

Disliked: Nothing

29 June 2011 David would recommend this property

Liked: Classic hostel, somewhat cluttered, somewhat chaotic but efficiently providing the needs of travelers. The staff were knowledgeable speaking good (well Australian) English at the time I was there. Location is good, central to most things and an easy tram ride from the railway station

Disliked: It has a crowded feel and the facilities are usually stretched if the hostel is near full.

08 June 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Very clean, spacious dorms, centrally located.

Disliked: No safety lockers.

07 June 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: the location

Disliked: a little expensive

31 May 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Cosy hostel, friendly staff, clean.

Disliked: nothing

30 May 2011 Sam would recommend this property

Liked: Fantastic location, and really helpful staff

Disliked: Could really do with a communal area other than the kitchen table, and perhaps a second shower.

22 March 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Good help with booking trips and tickets. Clean.

Disliked: No explicit rules (about noise and bed times for example).

25 January 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: The beds were the most comfortable I've slept in, and I've been to many hostels. The mattresses were supportive, the blankets thick and warm, and I liked the wooden bunks.

Disliked: Nothing.

09 November 2010 Demelza would recommend this property

Liked: Staff are lovely, and very helpful. A very social place and excellent facilities. very very clean. Easy to meet fellow travellers. Would definitely recommend and stay again!

Disliked: No oven/stove but there is a microwave, if you did want to cook.

19 October 2010 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Vry nice and small hostel (only 15 people or so). The staff was extremely helpful in organizing things. Location was convinient only about 200m walk to Karl Marx street (the main Avenue of Irkutsk). They told us about a very good place to eat and had quite fast Internet and the best shower We have ever seen in a hostel.

Disliked: Difficult to find, but at least they have a small sign outside which makes it easier to spot than the average russian hostel.

24 August 2010 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Location was good.

Disliked: Entry was dark as could be and not to make you feel safe. 3 floor climb up steps that need some cosmetic work.

22 August 2010 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Olga, one of the hostel staff is especially good. We described our plans for the day to her and she advised us to make an overnight stop at a little village called Bolshie Koty on the shores of Lake Baikal. She even refunded our money for that nights stay. It was a superb suggestion and we had a top time.

Disliked: The exterior buzzer didn't work when we first arrived and we had to phone them to let us in. On arrival they told us the buzzer was fine and we didn't press it hard enough - we did, there were three of us, all 20 something lads and had each given the buzzer the hardest of presses.

27 July 2010 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Its size made it easy to meet other travellers and the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff made it a truley enjoyable stay.

Disliked: Even though there was comp[limentary tea on offer there was no real cooking facilities, if you so desired.

26 July 2010 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Excellent stay, would recommend to any travelers in Irkutsk!

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

16 July 2010 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: The staff were very helpful and accommodating and advised, to a high standard, about onward travel arrangements.

Disliked: Better storage in dorm rooms would be good.