Name: Riva Hostel Pula
Address: Riva 2 52100 Pula,Riva, Pula, Pula, Pula, 52100, Croatia
Rating: 8

Common kitchen

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Valkane Beach

Zelenika Beach

Gortanova Bay Beach

Pula Airport

Riva Hostel Pula

Pula

Ladies, I beg you not to book this hostel! Reviews say the owner (Romano) is really friendly but he is a predator and sexually assaulted me, forcing me and my friends to find somewhere else to stay! He may seem kind,  offering you free drinks, but he is obviously trying to get young women drunk (me 20, him late 50s). Our experience was horrific, the place was unclean and the doors do not all lock properly. It feels deeply unsafe and I would urge you to go somewhere else!

Please do not stay here!!

Two weeks before arriving we booked the hostel’s car to pick us up from the airport. This turned out to be the owner’s personal car. He was late in picking us up, which wasn’t a great start. 

When we booked, the only room available was a twin room with shared bathroom. The day we flew out we checked and saw that a double with a private bathroom was now available and half the price of the room we had booked. I emailed the hostel asking if we could stay in this room instead if it were available, and we were told this would be fine. Upon arrival, the hostel was completely empty and the owner told us we could stay in the room but quoted us a price three times higher than that which it was advertised online. We declined. They also charged us taxes, which were already covered in the booking - Hostel World confirmed this with us. 

The shared bathroom(s) were abysmal. The showers were grotty and barely dribbled, the toilets were unclean and rarely had toilet roll. 

The beds were comfortable but had ill fitting sheets and terrible pillows. Our door, by default, didn’t lock and we had to change this ourselves. The corridors were dark, dusty and dingey and the whole place had an incomplete renovation feel (see images). 

The terrace was nice in the sun, but it was full of rubbish and clutter, and guests were not permitted to consume their own food or drink there as it was a “functioning bar” (barely - I never saw anyone behind it, and there were no menus or price lists). 

We asked the owner if we could book the car to take us back to the airport. We waited at reception at the agreed departure time, and he didn’t show up.
We rang, and he was still asleep. 

The only redeeming feature was the location.

Avoid

Ambient: The Riva Hostel is located directly in front of a shipyard and accordingly the view from the room is impressive. The first ancient monument, the Temple of Augustus, is located only about two minutes' walk from the square of a flourishing Mediterranean dining and shopping alley, the Sergier Arch and the legendary amphitheater are about 15 minutes away. The hostel building itself is over 100 years old, according to the owner Romano. The sleeping rooms are more spacious than German ones. On the first floor there is a kitchen that can be used, on the second floor there is a very large terrace to celebrate, contact shower, smoke, even with electricity access to the main entrance of the house. The hotel has WiFi.

Relaxing

I am totally not impressed with this hostel but admittedly it is about to close for the season.  The rooms are bare bones and the place is a bit of a mess.  I get the feeling there was a huge party, everyone left, with their mess fully in tact.  The receptionist was pleasant and helpful but once she left there is literally no one around.  This place has the makings of being a good back packer place but we just didn't see it.  Plus I must admit we are not back packers.  I don't want to be too hard on the place but we just didn't have a great experience.  I do like Pula.  

End of the Season and it shows

Pro- location was great. Opposite the marina and the giants. Very close to the Arena. Service was good. 

Cons- it looked like an unfinished building project, like the “House that Jack Built”
Expensive for what it was. 

Travelling 

Hostel in a very central location, so that you can enjoy the lively (very quiet) city. A cozy and clean place (although the common kitchen, which we did not use, did not seem much): clean rooms and bathrooms and an interior garden that is worth the ticket price.

Accommodation and simplicity

We booked a private room for 2 persons, but unfortunately we didn't get the room we paid for.  Instead we got two single beds which we had to put together.
In our room there was a big cardbord box and some old doors standing in the room. The towels were not the cleanest and they were not changed daily. 
However the reception lady was very nice when she finally arrived (45 min after check in time), but she seemed kind of busy and stressed. 
The location of the hostel was quite perfectly located in the city. The rooftop terrace was also very nice & cosy but there was no bar with drinks to buy. Unfortunately there was no beverage dispenser either.

You pay a lot for the loaction of the hostel - the rooms were not worth the money

We really loved this hostel, it was in a fab location for a stay in Pula - right on the water and in the centre of town. Quite a few stairs up to the hostel so unsuitable for people with accessibility difficulties. But the roof terrace is lovely, day or night. The staff were friendly and helpful. Rooms lovely and spacious - we were in a huge 4 bed dorm with views across to the sea. Beds were nice and comfy and all rooms had air con. Bathrooms were really clean and it was great that the showers allowed privacy. There was also a small breakfast included in your stay. If you’re going to Pula this hostel should be your first choice to lay your head at!

Cute, friendly, down-to-earth hostel

Not to mention a nice terrace with a nice view of the sea and a lit cranes at night! Not to mention a nice view of the sea and a lit cranes at night! Not to mention a nice view of the sea and a lighted cranes at night! Not to mention a few points. Not to mention that there is a very good time to use the hotel. Not to mention the fact that the kitchen is nice, I can't use the common room. Not to mention the fact that there is no elevator, as I think there are few other small hostels. Baños and showers are nice, good water pressure and hot water experience, clean. Not to mention a very nice common terrace and accommodation with a lighted bar and a lighted bus at night! Not to mention the fact that I can only use a few minutes. Not to mention that I can only use a few hours of my room. Not to mention that I can only use a few hours of my time. Not to mention that I have a few hours of my time (note note) or a few minutes of my time. Not to mention that I can't use the bathroom.

Note: 8. Location 👍🏼 terrace excellent lockers 🏼

Arriving in Pula destroyed after a day of sunny sea and enigmatic week. My only thought was a warm shower. The result: boiler not working, ice from the shower breeze. The situation is repeated the next day. At the reception, a Black Venus and her blonde sister, offer beer for 2 euros on a very international terrace and perfect for the evening. Normal bed, well-functioning kitchen. You meet interesting people and the place, apart from the smell of fish from the port, is very comfortable and totally in the center. Two steps away from everything. If you fix the shower and slightly improve the cleaning, the barrier by 5 stars (despite the excessive price of 25 euros per night). Hi.

Riva Hostel Pula

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