Boutique Hostel Cesis-X

A great location and the wifi is strong.

First, I didn't feel safe. Although you need a code to enter the building, that door was often left open. Neither the front door to the hostel or the door to the dorm room lock. It made me very uneasy knowing that anyone could just walk in at any time. I never felt that my stuff was safe either as there was no place to lock up your valuables. Second, and this was a HUGE problem is that there is only one shower, one sink to wash up and one toilet, and they were all in the same room. I figured if the place was full, that is about 20 people, all lined up in the morning trying to use the bathroom. It was a nightmare. Third, cleaning is not really a top priority. For example, when I checked in the trash cans in the dorm room and the kitchen were both over flowing. Even though there was an employee there, seemingly not doing anything, he didn't make any effort to empty them. The kitchen trash was empty at some point but when I checked out the trash in the room had still not been emptied and was overflowing on the floor. I could be wrong, and I hope that I am, but I'm not convinced that they wash the covers to the blankets after each guess. Which is really gross if they don't. I hope I am wrong about that though The window in the dorm room doesn't close properly and I got eaten alive by mosquitoes every night. I left with dozens of huge welts all over me that are still painful days later. I've stayed in hundreds of hostels. 27 countries in 5 continents and this is the only one that refused to give me even the most simple directions to find it from the train station. They could have written it out in 2 sentences but they were to lazy. I asked twice and was ignored both times.

The place is located very centrally.

The room did not match the description given on Booking. Contrary to the description, double room did not have a private bathroom. The only bathroom in the place was shared by an 8-person dormitory and two other rooms or dormitories located in an other apartment. Instead of providing the promised free parking, the host told us to go and find a place along another partly uninhabited street. Moreover, he accepted only a cash payment. The price was that of a normal modern double room, i.e. very high for the miserable quality.

Excellent location right in the center on a walking street, somewhat hidden with only a tiny sign marking the door. Plenty of small restaurants and cafeterias nearby. Nice staff, although somewhat busy. Stylish lounge with a nice collection of books (in local languages). Backpacker- and bikepacker-friendly.

Having just a single shared toilet implied long queues. And finding out that toilet paper is out in the morning only after queuing quite a while when others were in shower... ended up going for breakfast buffet at a nearby fully-booked hotel which at least had free toilets and space at breakfast buffet. Never forget to buy toilet paper during a longer vacation trip if/when the initial backup roll runs out. Would rate higher if something were done about the toilets. Maybe different type of pillow too... but I didn't ask whether harder ones are already available or not.

Lots of good things: Very friendly and helpful staff. Central location. Nice and quiet room with balcony. Soundproof walls. In general good furniture, be it in the room or in the common space. Clean and welcoming common spaces with lots of space for cooking, eating and hanging out. Very modern and spacious bathroom. Not expensive. All in all, I would come back with pleasure. Cēsis and surroundings are really nice and merit at least two days, if not more.

Nothing that bothered me, but I mention some minor things that may be good to know: We stayed in a double room (the one with balcony) which requires passage through the dorm. There is a separate entry door, but it is not yet functional. They are working on this (just the handles and the lock are missing). The other private rooms have a separate entry door. If this is important for you, ask before booking. Having just a single bathroom for all guests MAY be tricky, but we did not experience problems. People were very disciplined and did not lock up themselves for a long time. They don't have their own bikes any more, so you have to rent them at the Ezis store (good quality and only 10€/day).

Great location, great host and overall very clean!

Awesome place and staff! Cozy, clean, quiet, friendly. Highly recommended!