Last updated: 29 July 2023
As of June 2023 it appears that Soda Hostel in Poznan is closed and not taking any reservations at this point of time. We hope that it’s only a temporary closure and that they reopen soon. We hope that you enjoy the below read following our stay in 2016.
I’m the first to admit that I don’t stay in hostels. Unlike many people my own age, I didn’t spend my gap year backpacking through South East Asia and staying in dorm rooms with a budget of $5/day. I have, however, stayed in hostels when I needed to or when I had no other alternative. A stint at boarding schools cemented my disdain for sharing rooms and bathrooms with strangers.
My dear friend Kash has made endless efforts to change my view on hostels. He writes about luxury hostels and quite often tells stories about how great the best ones are.
My recent history with hostels
Dorm room frivolity is often part of the hostel experience. Lights being indiscriminately turned on at 3am, the dancing duvet from copulating couples, and the need to bring your own linen are all part and parcel of my hostel struggles. The horror of a dorm looks something like this ↓
This year I stayed at a hostel (that will remain nameless) whilst in town for a conference. The majority of hotels were booked up or significantly outside my price range. While I simply couldn’t face the prospect of a shared dorm room, I was quite chuffed when I managed to secure a private single room. The bed was held together with string, springs poking through the thin layer of fabric over the top of the mattress and to top it off, the hostel was full of lads on tour. I reassured myself that I was only there to sleep however I never quite realised how limited that sleep would actually be.
The very same party goers took it upon themselves to get heavily inebriated and vomit through the communal hallway for an hour around 2am. I was mortified. I packed ear plugs but nothing could block out the convulsing retching. To this day I haven’t forgotten my last hostel experience and I swore never again.
My hesitation
So when we were invited to review a new luxury hostel in Poznan I was very hesitant. I asked endless questions about the room, the facilities, the area and the people that stay there. I even wondered if this was what you, our readers, want. After all, we’re not backpackers and we don’t stay in hostels. We have always been about affordable luxury and I wondered how a hostel could ever fit with that.
Until now…
I was repeatedly reassured that Soda Hostel and Apartments would not be anything like my previous experiences. I took them at their word and proceeded with the arrangement.
Soda Hostel and Apartments market themselves as a cheap hostel in Poznan with hotel standards. I wholeheartedly agree with their tag line. It’s certainly affordable but also it’s far from anything like the hostels I’ve experienced in the past.
With 14 comfortable modern rooms, 9 featuring ensuites, the rooms come furnished with extremely comfortable Swedish mattresses. Single, double and family ensuite rooms available with linen & towels, Soda changes the game of hostels and sets the bar extremely high.
We stayed in one of Soda’s eight studio apartments. These sleep two and feature a king size bed with double duvets. Honestly it’s like sleeping on a cloud. I had a better night sleep here than I’ve had in some five star hotels!
Add a couple of extra pillows and I could easily be convinced to spend a lazy day sleeping in while watching the wall mounted LCD smart TV. While TV channels are only in Polish, if you’re anything like us you quickly discover that you can connect your mobile device(s) to the TV over the room WiFi and stream content from your phone or tablet. After a long day of sightseeing around Poznan it was nice to kick back, connect to our Netflix account and catch up on some of my shows on demand while Russ snoozed.
Alongside power sockets on both sides of the bed, I was really surprised to see a Smart TV, after all, it’s something you don’t see in fancy hotels so it’s a real treat to get such a snazzy piece of technology in a hostel. The all-important WiFi is strong throughout the property with rooms having their own wireless access points.
If you’re staying longer than the minimum two nights, the wardrobe provided is plenty big enough for a couple for a week plus a small nook to store your suitcase. A door in the studio opened onto a small french style balcony overlooking the courtyard and the parking area below which you can book a space for an additional charge.
As you’d expect, studios incorporate an ensuite. With walk-in showers, larger than average vanity basins, heated towel rails for those chilly Polish days. There’s no tiny plane-sized loo here at Soda, bathrooms are generous and comprehensive. I took advantage of the included hairdryer and ironing facilities in the common areas.
The kitchenette included in the studio rooms come with a microwave, crockery, fridge and a kettle. I suggest you BYO teabags or pick some up from the nearby supermarket. While there’s plenty of space if you want to make breakfast before heading out for the day, I think you’re better off dining in the communal kitchen. Not only is it a chance to mingle with other guests and make some new friends, but it’s also to make full use of the included continental breakfast options.
If social interaction is what you’re craving, head down to the common kitchen or take full advantage of the common room which has a Sony PlayStation, a PC, a library with books in a multitude of languages.
The 24 hour concierge is available if you have any questions, but be sure to grab one of their in-house created maps of the local area. They’ve starred their recommendations to make those last minute meal choices really easy. I wish I’d found the maps before we ordered this large pizza.
Soda Hostel and Apartments is located in Jeżyce district. A hip trendy area of Poznan, famous for its art nouveau architecture and fastly becoming one of the hottest culinary areas in the city. Accessible to the Old Town on foot, or hop on one of the many trams near Park Wieniawskiego to get around the city and outskirts. Bus stop nearby is as the direct local bus (#59) will take you to the airport and is the cheapest transfer you’ll get.
READ MORE: 5 Incredible Things to Do in Poznan
The Verdict
Despite my reservations about staying in a hostel, Soda Hostel and Apartments proved me wrong. SO very wrong! The entire property was utterly spotless, it was unbelievably quiet (even over a weekend) and the staff were amazing. I would absolutely stay here again and recommend it. I enjoyed it so much, I’d bring my mum here!
The Essentials | Soda Hostel & Apartments
- Where: Dąbrowskiego 27, 60-101 Poznań, Poland
- More information: Soda Hostel & Apartments
Disclaimer
Our visit to Soda Hostel & Apartments was in conjunction with Poznan Travel. As always, all opinions are our own.
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