Nice Way Porto Hostel

I had reserved a bed in an 8 female dorm for 7 nights at a cost of almost $300 euros, in the Nice Way Hostel in Porto. I arrived Aug 6 at 8:00 a.m. that first day, having come on an overnight bus from Spain. Gabriela was at the front desk and told me I could not check in till 3:00. I spent the next 7 hours in the lobby until I noticed that she was checking in others who had come in after me, so I went and got a place in line. She said nothing at the time but when I got to the room she had booked me into it was a tiny private family room with the two main beds 12 inches apart from each other, 2 pull down bunks overhead, no privacy curtains and only two lockers. I went back to her and said there must be a mistake, I had booked a 8 bed female dorm, with curtains. It was being renovated she said, so not available. You didn't know it was going to be renovated I asked? She shrugged. She said if I didn't like my "upgrade" she would give me back my money and I could go find another hostel. But how would I ever find a hostel in August, that same day, for a week? She shrugged. I said I'd be ok if I had to change rooms at some point. No, she said, fully booked, nothing available. I said what about mixed dorms. No she said. Everything is fully booked during the whole 7 days of my stay. I'd been living in dorms all over the world for the last 12 months, and that did not make any sense, or seem possible, so I waited till shift change, and was rewarded by working with Giovanni. Within 4 minutes Giovanni had me moving into a female dorm room for the last 5 days of my stay. The hostel was great. Great location, great social set up, lots of bathrooms and showers, perfect vibe. But for some reason they have that one staff member who chooses when to be helpful and when to block/ control. If you meet her, just wait it out, everyone else was great. Worth noting, the hostel did let guests in their room early, if their bed was vacant the night before. My first room bed was vacant the night before my arrival 😉.

The location is perfect, close to the train station and there are bus stations and metros close to the hostel. when you enter the street you don't feel you are in Portugal because of the different restaurants there ( Indian, Turkish, Mexican), however, when you enter the hostel you feel good and safe. The staffs are very helpful and the Hostel is clean. I suggest using a free walking tour however it is not completely free and I pay 10€ voluntarily but it is worth it. The room is a little small but there is enough space to put on your staff also you have a locker but remember to bring your lock because it is not available in the hostel and you have to buy it from the shop beside the Hostel. The bathroom is clean but there aren't any shampoos. My bed was like a capsule that I didn't like it and there isn't any available so you can ask for another type before arrival time.