Reykjavik Backpacker - Reykjavík - Reviews & Contact Details

A friend and I stayed in mid June '09 for 2 nights. Let me preface my review by saying that some of the issues should work themselves out once construction is complete and they get in full swing with housekeeping activities etc (as this is a newly opened hostel). I must also say that all staff I encountered there were very helpful, friendly and professional, and this made the stay enjoyable despite some issues. As for the place: Rooms were clean, adequately sized, and had a window you could open, which I am a big fan of. Construction was still underway, with tools and building supplies left lying around unattended in various places throughout the hostel... No lighting in the stairwells (though luckily not too critical during midsummer ;).... Not all bathrooms were fully operational yet (only 1 shower working on our floor - and in the bathroom with the working shower, there was an issue with drainage such that the whole floor would flood throughout the entire room). Also supplies were rarely replenished (empty soap, paper towels, toilet paper), plus overflowing garbage containers in the kitchen and bathrooms. We noted a few shortcomings like no hooks to hang clothes/towels on anywhere in the room or in the bathrooms / showers, also the 'new' tubular metal bunk bed in our room was already well on it's way to breaking (the mattress support members were bent underneath, and the ladder members were severely bent and cracked, ready to bust off at any time - dangerous!) Evidently these are beds intended for children, not grown adults... The last item is noise - we were next to the common room, and both nights there was loud partying going on well past the posted 'quiet hours' - an assortment of empty liquor bottles remained littering tables the next morning. So, they are not kidding when they say it is a 'lively' place.... I also noted they never locked the door, convenience vs. security?? I guess nothing bad ever happens in Reykjavik... There was someone sleeping on one of the common area couches one morning, but maybe they just had a spat with a room-mate or something... Anyway, it kinda felt like staying at a friend's place while they are in the middle of renovations and hosting a family reunion at the same time.