Europe – Page 7 – The Wknd Travel

Hostel of the Day: STEEL HOUSE COPENHAGEN – 4 Nights in Danish Capital’s New York-Inspired Industrial Style Luxury Accommodation

After landing in Copenhagen Airport from that Czech Airlines flight from Prague, I claimed my luggage, took the train to the city & went straight to Steel House Copenhagen – my hostel in Copenhagen for my last 4 nights in Europe. This New York-inspired industrial style luxury accommodation will be today’s hostel of the day feature. Find out in the post below how this hostel differs from DREAM Hostel Prague, Sleep Well Youth Hostel Brussels & Generator Amsterdam, the other hostels I stayed with throughout this trip to Europe.

In case you didn’t know, I went on 19-day trip around 4 countries in Europe late last year. I started my trip in the Netherlands & went around Amsterdam, Utrecht & North Holland. From there, I took the bus & went to Belgium. I stayed in the country for 4 full days & walked around Brussels, Bruges & Ghent. I flew to Czech Republic & settled in Prague for another full days. I also took day trips to Kutná Hora & Český Krumlov. I finished my trip in the beautiful city of Copenhagen (blog to follow) in Denmark. The details & posts that talk about this Europe trip of a lifetime can be found under the Going Solo in Europe category.

Steel House Copenhagen

Steel House Copenhagen is one of the city’s newest & renowned hostel properties. The hostel sits in the former Danish Union of Metalworkers building which has been transformed into a modern & well-designed luxury hostel accommodation. The hostel lives up to its luxury hostel vibe by providing hotel-like amenities & extraordinary shared facilities which you will know more about later in the post. The hostel has 253 rooms which are divided into dormitory & private rooms.

The hostel is owned & managed by Arp-Hansen Hotel Group – Copenhagen’s biggest chain of privately-owned & centrally-located hospitality properties.

Location & Access

Steel House Copenhagen is located in the hip neighborhood of Vesterbo, next to Nørrebro, Frederiksberg. It is in Herholdtsgade 6 & is 2-minute walk away from Vesterport Station of the Boulevard Line. It is also 10 minutes away by foot from Copenhagen’s main train station known as Københavns Hovedbanegård or København H. It is also 10 to 20-minute walk to most of Copenhagen’s tourist spots.

The nearest convenience store is 2 minutes away; the nearest supermarket is 3-5 minutes away. There are many pubs & restaurants near the hostel. Copenhagen Airport (CPH), Københavns Lufthavn in local language & Denmark’s main airport, is 30 minutes away from the hostel & can be accessed via the train (walking included). The journey from Copenhagen Central Station to Copenhagen Airport Station takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The hostel’s location is perfect. It is within the city & is walkable to almost everywhere in the city center.

Room Options & Rates

Steel House Copenhagen has a total of 1,154 beds in 253 rooms which guests can occupy in 1 night. These rooms are divided into private & dormitory rooms. The property has 64 private rooms offered in single, double & twin bed (with & without balconies) configurations. It also has 54 rooms with 4 dormitory beds each formatted in 2 semi-private bunks. The largest type of room they have is the 6-bed dormitory rooms in 135 rooms. The dormitory rooms are configured into mixed or female-only rooms. Nightly rates vary per room, bed & season. The beds in the 6-bed dormitory room are usually the cheapest. It can go as low as 125 DKK (Danish kroner) per night.

Private & dormitory rooms all have their own shower & toilet areas with quality shampoo, liquid soap & conditioner. Rooms have enough storage space (lockers for dormitory rooms) for luggage. All rooms have air conditioning. Each dormitory bed has a luxurious mattress with fresh linen, a personal power socket / outlet, a reading light & a small pouch or storage space by the bed. Private room guests have access to televisions in their rooms plus the option to upgrade to rooms with wooden terraces. The hostel provides towels to all guests free-of-charge.

I stayed in a 4-bed mixed dormitory room for 4 nights. I booked my stay with Agoda & paid $116.24 for all 4 nights – later charged as ₱6,210.98 by my bank. The rate didn’t include breakfast. The dormitory beds are semi-private with unique design. The mattress was comfortable to sleep with & the facilities are clean & well-maintained. The hostel provided towels & big lockers which fit my medium-sized luggage. Our room had a nice view of Sankt Jørgens Sø (St George’s Lake) in Copenhagen.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Steel House Copenhagen offers a long list of facilities & amenities which all guests can enjoy. This is by far the longest list of amenities I’ve had in all hostel of the day features in this website.

Free Wi-Fi – All guests have access to ultra-fast Wi-Fi connection inside the rooms & in the common areas.

Café & Bar – The hostel has an in-house café & bar where guests can grab something to eat & drink. They have a happy hour promo of 1+1 on Carlsberg & Tuborg beers every Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Breakfast Bag – The hostel sells breakfast bags every morning for 49 DKK. They don’t have breakfast buffets or breakfast meals; these healthy breakfast bags will do. It has a bun, a small bottle of juice, a fruit bar & a cup of coffee or tea.

Free Unlimited Water Refills – One of the best things about Steel House Copenhagen is the free unlimited water refills from the tap in the common area. Tap water in Denmark is clean & potable.

Communal Lounge Areas – The hostel has spacious communal lounge areas beside the café & bar. Guests can choose from the comfortable couches to the wooden tables & chairs.

Night Concerts & Jamming Sessions – The hostel hosts small concerts & jamming sessions in the communal area beside the café & bar. They invite local artists to perform in the lounge area & to serenade or jam with the guests.

Private Amenities & Communal Toilets – All rooms have their own private hot & cold shower & toilets complete with complimentary shampoo, conditioner & liquid soap. There are also communal amenities in the basement for those who are in the common areas.

Self-Service Kitchen – The hostel has a luxurious & fully-equipped kitchen which guests can use during their stay. Access to this kitchen costs 20 DKK for the duration of stay. Guests who buy access to this kitchen can store food in the fridge & cook their own food. This kitchen room is open daily from 6:00 am to 12:00 am.

Fitness Center – Steel House Copenhagen has a small gym or fitness center with limited equipment. Access to this fitness facility costs 20 DKK for 2 hours per session. The fitness center is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.

Swimming Pool – Guests can enjoy a bath in the hostel’s 40 sq m swimming pool for 20 DKK. The pass is good for 2 hours. The swimming pool is open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Games Room – Guests can kill time by playing pool, table football or shuffleboard in the games room.

Cinema Room – The hostel has a small cinema room that can accommodate up to 25 people. They show movies & sports games in this communal room found in the lower ground floor.

SoMe Garden – Steel House Copenhagen has set-up 12 communal & free-for-all tablets where guests can browse the internet, open their social media accounts, catch-up on YouTube videos & plan the next leg of their trip. It is also the perfect place to do some work if you are working in between holidays.

Venue Area – The hostel has a multi-purpose venue or space in the lower ground floor for small events like comedy shows, band concerts & presentations.

Television Room – Guests who want to catch-up on shows & news they’re watching can do so in the television room found in the lower basement level.

Paid Luggage Storage – Guests who need to leave their luggage before check-in & after check-out can store them in the storage room for 20 DKK for 3 hours, 35 DKK for 6 hours & 50 DKK for 24 hours.

Laundry Facilities – The hostel has a laundry room in the lower ground floor. Access to these self-service laundry facilities cost 20 DKK per guest.

24-Hour Reception – Steel House Copenhagen’s reception area is open for 24 hours. There will always be someone who will smile & welcome you every time you arrive at the hostel you.

Express Check-in & Check-out – The hostel has a cool express check-in & check-out system. Guests who will check-in need to complete the guest form in one of the computers in front of reception then just claim their access cards from the staff. Guests who will check-out only need to drop their access cards in the drop box by the reception area.

Welcoming & Friendly Staff – The hostel’s staff are very welcome & friendly. They greeted me with a smile when I arrived from the airport. Those in the reception smile to everyone going inside the hostel. They even engage guests into small talks. These lovely people made my stay memorable.

Daily Activities – Aside from the night concerts & jamming sessions, Steel House also hosts other activities with guests such as games & quiz nights, yoga & capoeira sessions, running activities & pub crawls. Schedules vary per week so it’s always best to check the weekly activities posted inside the elevators.

Free Walking Tours – The hostel has partnered with the touring company to offer a free (well, tip-based) tour around Copenhagen. This walking tour happens every day & starts at 10:20 am in the reception area.

Basement Car Parking – Steel House has 60 car parking spaces underneath the hostel. Guests can park their cars in this parking facility for 210 DKK per 24 hours. Car parking spaces cannot be reserved & follows a “first come, first serve” policy.

Bicycle Rental – Copenhagen, just like Amsterdam, is a great city to cycle around. The hostel offers bicycle rental for 125 DKK for a day until midnight. I didn’t have the chance to cycle around the city but it’s something I’ll do next time.

Lift Access – Hostel guests have access to lifts up to their rooms. This makes luggage easy to be brought up to & down from the rooms.

Secured Hostel Access – Steel House gives their hostel guests a key card or access card that only works on your specific level & room. Only guests can go up to & down from their rooms.

Experience

My 4-night stay in Steel House Copenhagen & around Copenhagen was the perfect way to end this 19-day Going Solo in Europe trip. To be honest, there were other relatively cheaper hostels around the city. But I opted to treat myself by staying in this hostel. I paid more to stay in Steel House Copenhagen & I had no regrets. Who would ever think I’ll stay in this luxury hostel for 4 nights in such an expensive country like Denmark?

This hostel impressed me from the time I arrived in the hostel up to check-out. The staff welcomed me with their best smiles, pointed me to the express check-in kiosk then gave me my key card afterwards. They also granted my request of staying in a lower bunk bed. They have small chitchats with the guests every time they order in the bar & café.

The room size was enough for 4 people to stay in. The lockers were big to fit my medium-sized luggage. The semi-private bunk beds had a nice design; the bed was comfortable to sleep in. I like that each room had a private toilet & shower. The rooms are cleaned daily. My only issue with the bathroom & toilet is its automatic lighting system. The bathroom lights turn off when they do not detect any movement for a certain time. I always need to go out of the shower area to activate the lighting system.

The hostel makes sure that all guests have a good time by organizing daily activities from walking tours, to daily exercise sessions, games & quiz nights to jamming nights & pub crawls. The weekend happy hour 1+1 promo on beers is a big plus for me. Beers in Copenhagen or in Denmark in general are expensive compared to Prague’s so these promos are much appreciated. It came to a point (during my last night in Steel House) where I ordered for 4 glasses of Carlsberg & got 8 because of the happy hour. Don’t worry, I only had 4 & the other 4 was for my friend Mads.

One thing Generator Amsterdam, Sleep Well Youth Hostel Brussels & DREAM Hostel Prague had which Steel House Copenhagen didn’t is buffet breakfast. I know they have breakfast bags for 49 DKK but it would have been a full-package if they had this kind of breakfast option for guests. I guess I only expected them to have one because all my 3 past hostels had it. However, it’s not a major issue for me. I still enjoyed the treats inside the breakfast bag.

Steel House also made up for the breakfast part by having an unlimited free water refill option for guests. The other 3 hostels I stayed with didn’t have this option. In a continent like Europe where is more of a luxury, having the unlimited free water refill feature is such a lifesaver. Thank you, Steel House, for this amenity.

Steel House Copenhagen has the best range of facilities & amenities in all the hostels I stayed with so far. Imagine a hostel with a fitness center, a swimming pool, a self-service kitchen, games room, lounge area, television room, cinema, events space, café & bar? Even though access to some of these facilities come with a price, I still can’t over the fact this hostel has these amenities which are mostly found in hotels. Take note, all these areas are all clean & well-maintained. Steel House Copenhagen is one of a kind – they live up the expectations of being a luxury hostel.

Overall, I had an excellent stay with Steel House Copenhagen. This was the best hostel among the hostels I’ve stayed with in this trip & probably in the top 3 hostels I’ve stayed with in my life. The hostel has been superb in all aspects – from the rooms, the beds to the communal facilities, amenities, staff & guest activities. I realized I got so much more than the ₱1,552.75 (roughly $30) I paid per night. Will I go back to Steel House? Yes. Will I recommend this hostel to everyone? Hell yes! Look no further, book your stay with this hostel when you are in Copenhagen. Oh, book early as they sell out all 1,154 beds on some days.

In case you have questions to Steel House Copenhagen, you may reach them on the following platforms:

Steel House Copenhagen
Address: Herholdtsgade 6 DK-1605 København V
Number: +45 3317 7110
E-mail Address: reservations@steelhousecopenhagen.com
Website: www.steelhousecopenhagen.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/steelhousecopenhagen
Instagram: www.instagram.com/steel_house_copenhagen

What do you think of Steel House Copenhagen? Have you ever stayed in a hostel that has hotel-like facilities like this? What & where is this hostel? How was your stay? Share your luxury hostel experiences in the comments section below. Do you have questions about my experience or about the hostel? You may also send them to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I will try my best to answer these questions as soon as possible.

Thank you for joining me in today’s hostel of the day feature. I think this has been my longest entry so far. Steel House Copenhagen offers so much to its guest. This also marks the last hostel to feature from my Going Solo in Europe series. I hope you enjoyed this & my other features on Generator Amsterdam, Sleep Well Youth Hostel Brussels & DREAM Hostel Prague.

Please don’t forget to follow me on social media – Facebook & Instagram. Have a nice day & please stay safe!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

P’s List: 4 Czech Eats To Savor

Spending 4 full days in Czech Republic was memorable, fun & relatively cheap. I easily fell in love with the country’s main city & small towns, people, culture & food. Prague has the most picturesque streets, Kutná Hora has the most interesting church & Český Krumlov has the quaintest small-town vibe. While walking around these places, I also took the time to try some dishes that are very Czech in origin & nature.

In the previous lists, I shared with you my favorite cheap things to do while in Japan, 5 treats you should try when in Belgium & 6 delis I enjoyed during my time in the Netherlands. Today, I will share with you the 4 unique eats I tried during my time in Czech Republic.

Czech National Food – Vepřo Knedlo Zelo

Vepřo Knedlo Zelo, or Roasted Pork with Cabbage & Dumplings in English, is Czech Republic’s national dish. This consists of roasted pork loin with fermented cabbage & bread dumplings. It’s not the tastiest dish (kinda bland imo) but its elements complement each other’s tastes.

I had this dish for lunch at Hospoda Na Louži during my day trip to Český Krumlov. It cost me 195 Kč – around €7 or ₱380++ in our local currency. Its price was not bad; it’s already a nice meal in a decent restaurant.

Guláš

Guláš, or Goulash in English, is another famous beef stew dish in Czech Republic. Although the dish originated from Hungary, the Czech people made their own version beefier but milder in taste & with lesser vegetables. The dish is at times made with beer & is served with the famous Czech bread dumplings.

I had a special goulash meal during our lunch in Kutná Hora. I ordered Restaurace Dačický’s Wild Boar Goulash with Gingerbread Dumplings for 219 Kč – close to €8 or ₱430++ in our local currency. This dish was very tasty; it had a very thick but mild sauce. The price was acceptable considering Restaurace Dačický is one of the nicest restaurants in town.

Trdelník

Trdelník is a popular tourist snack in Czech Republic, particularly in Prague. It is a spit cake made from dough rolled around a stick & grilled. Once cooked, it’s topped with sugar. Some shops offer it with ice cream & other fancy toppings. Our tour guide told us that this dish originally came from Slovakia / Hungary but was well-adopted by the Czechs.

Just like Belgian waffles, Trdelník is best enjoyed without any topping. I already forgot how much one cost but it’s not that much. I bought from the stall in-front of Havelský Market on my way from the Old Town back to DREAM Hostel Prague.

Czech-Style Sausages

Sausages in long buns are a thing in Prague, especially around Wenceslas Square. The sausages are served in long buns. The customers then go to the side to add in mustard, mayonnaise or ketchup. These sausages became my favorite dinner dish after long walks around the city. Each sausage in a bun cost from 80 Kč. It’s best paired with a bottle or can of soda.

Bonus – Czech Beer!

Czech people love beers. They love it up to the point where they consume more beers than most countries in the world. On top of the beer culture, Czech beers are very cheap – way cheaper than bottles of water or juice. The most famous beer they have is Pilsner Urquell, the pilsner-style beer from the town of Plzen. Other Czech beers include Holba, Kozel, Krumlov Light & Kutná Hora Lager.

These beers cost around 35 Kč to 39 Kč per 500 mL bottle in restaurants – that’s around €1,2 to €1,4 or ₱70 to ₱78 in our local currency. Take note these half liter beers can be cheaper in supermarkets & groceries. For reference, a small bottle of beer in Amsterdam & Brussels costs €4. Beers in Czech Republic are really cheap. To be honest, I had more beer than water during my 4-day stay in this country.

And that’s about it! There are still other interesting Czech dishes but I didn’t have time to try them. I got busy walking around Prague & the towns of Kutná Hora & Český Krumlov, eating those cheap but tasty Czech sausages for dinner & drinking local beers every after meal or snack. Which of the dishes mentioned above got your attention? Is there something that stood out that you want to try it as soon as possible? Share your thoughts in the comments section. Do you have any question about those mentioned above or about Czech Republic in general? You may send them to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

These sausages placed in a long bun became my staple dinner during my time in Czech Republic 🇨🇿

If you want to know more about my 19-day European trip, check out the articles & posts under the Going Solo in Europe category. Everything about the trip is under that section. Thank you for joining me in today’s P’s List! Join me in the next post as I take you with me to the lovely country of Denmark.

Before you go, can I ask you to please follow me on my social media pages? Here are my Facebook & Instagram accounts. I hope you can also share these pages to your family & friends. Thanks again & see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Flight Report: CZECH AIRLINES OK 502 – Prague to Copenhagen – Czech Republic’s National Carrier & World’s Fifth Oldest Operating Airline

Hi & welcome to another trip report! Last time, I took you with me onboard Brussels Airlines flight SN 2811 from Brussels, Belgium to Prague in Czech Republic. I went around the country for 4 full days – walked around Prague & Prague Castle, saw the bone church in Kutná Hora & visited the quaint fairy tale town of Český Krumlov. I enjoyed my time around Czech Republic but I had to move to the next country – Denmark.

Last November 2019, I flew from Prague to Copenhagen in Denmark onboard Czech Airlines flight OK 502. This short flight on one of the world’s oldest airlines will be the subject of today’s flight report. Join me as I share bits about Czech Airlines & its in-flight product, the ground experience in Václav Havel Airport Prague & the flight in general.

Czech Airlines

Czech Airlines, České Aerolinie in local language, is Czech Republic’s flag carrier based in Václav Havel Airport in Prague. The airline started operations in 1923; it is (at time of writing) the world’s 5^th oldest airline after KLM, Avianca, Qantas & Aeroflot. The Czech government used to own the airline but was passed on to different private owners including Korean Air. As of today, Smartwings, Czech Republic’s biggest (low-cost) airline, owns majority of Czech Airlines. The airline flies to more than 30 European & Middle Eastern countries on both regular schedules & seasonal charters.

Czech Airlines is a proud member of the SkyTeam Alliance & has partnerships with Air France, KLM, Aeroflot, China Airlines, Delta, Korean Air, Garuda Indonesia & a lot more. The airline’s frequent flier program is called OK Plus. The program gives passengers OK Plus Miles on flights with Czech Airlines.

Airfare & Inclusions

I booked my Czech Airlines ticket directly with the airline 5 months before the flight. I paid 1,588 Kč (₱3,658.88 in local currency, credit card charges included) for this one-way ticket that includes 8-kilogram carry-on baggage allowance, 23-kilogram check in baggage allowance & free standard seat selection.

This was my ticket. Our flight’s number changed from OK 508 to OK 502 weeks before the schedule.

Czech Airlines, like most European carriers, offer their tickets according to fare bundles. The airline offers an economy lite fare which only includes carry-on baggage allowance & a guaranteed seat on the flight. All other services, such as check in baggage & seat selection, come with extra fees. I availed of the economy plus fare which, as mentioned above, includes carry on-baggage allowance, check in baggage allowance & free standard seat. They also offer an economy flex bundle which includes a light snack, priority check in & boarding on top of all the perks of economy plus passengers. Earning miles, rebooking & refund conditions differ from one bundle to the other. The airline also sells business class tickets on bundles. Inter-Europe business class products are not impressive so let’s not talk about it.

Remember my previous flight report on Brussels Airlines on my flight from Brussels to Prague? I availed of their Light & Relax fare bundle with has the same inclusions as Czech Airlines’ Economy Plus fare bundle. These fare bundles remind me of low-cost carriers here in the Philippines – the likes of Cebu Pacific Air & Air Asia.

Flight & Aircraft Information

Czech Airlines used a 19-year old Smartwings Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This aircraft, with registration OK-TSV, has been in use since December 2000. The plane has 189 seats on a 3-3 configuration. Business class passengers are seated in front of the cabin & have the middle seats vacant.

This flight I took is actually a Prague to Reykjavik flight which has a technical stop in Copenhagen. The flight left Prague with passengers both bound for Denmark & Iceland. We, the passengers bound for Copenhagen, disembarked in Copenhagen Airport. The plane took in new bound for Reykjavik, Iceland from Copenhagen. This flight from Prague, Czech Republic to Copenhagen, Denmark took 1 hour & 5 minutes from one airport gate to the other. We were airborne for only 59 minutes.

Airport & Ground Experience

I arrived Prague Airport 2 hours before my flight. Czech Airline’s check in counters were empty, not even a single person checking in during my time. Check in process took less than 5 minutes. The guy at the check in counter wasn’t friendly at all.

After check in, I went through security check. Business class & priority passengers & status holders have a special line. Economy class passengers go through the general line. The line moved fast because the airport’s security system is very organized & efficient. There was no need to clear immigration since I was travelling within the Schengen zone.

Prague Airport has spacious pre-departure areas. There were very few people during my time, leaving many seats empty. Some seats have power outlets & charging ports. The ground staff commenced boarding on time. Business class & priority passengers boarded first, followed by those seated at the back of the plane. I was one of the few passengers who boarded last. Boarding process was peaceful & organized. It took 25 minutes to board all passengers.

In-flight Product

Czech Airlines’ in-flight product is very basic. The seats were fitted with dirty & old leather covering. Each seat has 2 small pockets in front. The 1^st pocket found within the eye level has all the in-flight literature – in-flight magazine, food menu & safety card. The smaller pocket found somewhere by the knees are for the passenger’s things – boarding pass & passport, phone, etc. The leg room was standard – not very limited but not too spacious. Seats didn’t have power outlets or charging ports. My seat 7A’s recline function was broken; I sat & slept upright throughout the flight.

Czech Airlines provide onboard snacks / meals to business class & economy flex passengers & to those who pre-ordered snacks at the time of booking or at least 24 hours into the flight. The airline has a buy-on-board scheme where economy passengers can buy snacks & drinks during the flight. The food & drinks menu is found in the seat pocket in front of each passenger.

The airline doesn’t offer personal entertainment screens for their inter-Europe flights. The only form of entertainment is the in-flight magazine found in the seat pockets.

Cabin Crew Service

Believe it or not – I had limited contact with the cabin crew. They greeted me when I boarded the flight & said thanks when I left the aircraft after the flight. That’s it! There was nothing special with the service provided on this flight. They did their job, assisted the passengers put bags in the overhead cabins, did the security checks & offered snacks & drinks midway through the flight.

Verdict

Believe it or not, I believe this flight with Czech Airlines went well. After flying with Brussels Airlines to Prague a few days before, I didn’t put in high expectations for this flight. The flight was alright – not exceptional & not bad. Mad respect to the airline’s long & eventful history but I think they need to step-up their service in everything.

I was not impressed with the guy at the check in counter. I was impressed by how things happened so quick – check in, security check & walk to the boarding gate all done in less than 30 minutes. Prague Airport’s facilities & organized passenger flow system were excellent. The waiting areas were clean, spacious & quiet.

View from my seat 7A – look at the Smartwings winglet on this 20-year old Boing 737-800 plane.

The aircraft used for the flight is 20 years old. The seats & interiors badly need a refit. On-board service & in-flight soft product was alright – nothing spectacular. Having almost the same experience with Brussels Airlines made me think that in-flight experience with relatively small European carriers are pretty much the same with some Asian low-cost carriers; but these Asian LCCs have relatively newer planes, more hospitable cabin crew & even cheaper fares.

Will I fly Czech Airlines again? Yes, no or maybe. Just like Brussels Airlines, it’ll all depend on the ticket price. If the fares are cheaper than other flag carriers or low-cost airlines, then I’ll go with Czech Airlines. If the fares have small differences, then I might opt for the other airline. The experience was not bad but it was also not exceptional. It was just alright & I couldn’t be happier that they flew me to Copenhagen safe & on time.

Avgeeks, check out the details of this short flight from Prague, Czech Republic to Copenhagen, Denmark:

Airline: Czech Airlines
Flight Date: 5 November 2019
Flight Number: OK 502 (changed from OK 508)
Route: Prague (PRG) to Copenhagen (CPH)
Duration: 1:05 hours
Seat Number: 7A
Aircraft: Boeing 739-809
Aircraft Registration: OK-TSV
Aircraft Engine: 2 x CFM International Jet Engines
Age: 20 years old
Year Delivered: 2000

Have you ever tried Czech Airlines in the past? What do you think of the airline? Do you have any questions about the airline & its flight policies or perhaps anything about Prague or Czech Republic? Post them in the comments section below. I will try to answer them as soon as possible. You may also send your questions via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report! I hope you can support & follow me on my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram. Watch out for more flight reports & Going Solo in Europe content in the coming weeks! Ciao.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

P’s List: 6 Dutch Delis I Enjoyed

Hello & welcome to another installment of P’s List! In the past lists, I shared with you my favorite things to do in Japan & the 5 must try Belgian treats. Today, I will share with you 6 Dutch delicacies I enjoyed during my stay in the Netherlands last October. I was looking back at the photos I took around Amsterdam, Utrecht & North Holland & I realized I took advantage everything Dutch I had when I was there. Maybe I was still high (pun intended) knowing that I finally made it to Europe? Anyway, check out the Going Solo in Europe series if you want to know details of this Euro trip of a lifetime.

If you think of Netherlands, the first few things that comes into your mind are beautiful canals, cannabis & red-light district. I surely enjoyed the beautiful canal views & I swear I didn’t try the other two. Apart from these 3 icons, the Dutch also have interesting delicacies worth-trying. Let me share with you these 6 delicacies you shouldn’t miss when in the Netherlands.

Oliebollen

Oliebollen, literally means “oil balls,” is the Dutch version of doughnuts. This treat is made of deep-fried dough filled with raisins & dusted with powdered sugar. This pastry is found everywhere in the Netherlands & it is worth-trying.

Bitterballen

Bitterballen is a favorite Dutch bar snack. This deep-fried, bite-size meat balls are made of crispy breading & soft meat center. These are best served with beers. I tried this snack when I was in a bar with my friend in Utrecht. The bar served the bitterballen with cheese sticks & battered shrimp.

Kibbeling

Kibbeling is a Dutch street food consisting of battered fish & seafood portions served with mayonnaise-based tartar or garlic sauce. This is usually found in fish markets & local food stalls. I had this snack in Volendam during our North Holland day tour.

Stroopwafel

Stroopwafel, known as syrup waffle or treacle waffle in English, is a traditional Dutch snack made of 2 thin baked batters with caramel-like syrup filling in between. This snack originated in the town of Gouda – the same town where Gouda cheese started. This snack is available in all supermarkets & convenience stores. This is my favorite Dutch snack to date; I even brought home more than 5 packs of it.

Heineken Beer

Many people, even the Dutch ones I know, don’t like Heineken. You might not like it as a lager beer; but the fact that Heineken started in the Netherlands in 1873 & it has helped the country in so many ways then it deserves at least a bottle when in the country. I took the Heineken Experience interactive tour about the company’s history in its original brewery & I enjoyed it a lot. Take it too! Don’t worry, it comes with 2 glasses of Heineken beer.

Cheese

One must try all kinds of cheese they can when visiting the Netherlands. Our North Holland day tour dropped by Simonehoeve, a clog shoe factory & cheese farm in Katwoude. The owners of the cheese farm showed us how they make cheese & even offered unlimited free taste of all their cheese products. I left the cheese farm with a bag filled with Edam & Gouda cheese.

Bonus – Dutch McDonalds Burger!

My hostel friend & I went out for dinner on our last night in Generator Hostel Amsterdam & ended up in McDonalds somewhere near Oosterpark. I ordered the usual burger meal & voilà – it comes with a big bowl of greens (alternative for fries) & a small bottle of watermelon juice. I rarely try McDonalds when travelling because I prefer street food over fast-food but I guess it was worth the try that night. Anyway, there were no other restaurants or cafes open so we had no choice.

The Netherlands still have a long list of delicacies (including fries but I reserved it for Belgium) to try but my time with the country was only limited. As mentioned to my friends, I will go back to Amsterdam & the Netherlands in the future for more cheese & stroopwafels, also to try other Dutch snacks.

Which deli mentioned above you fancy most? Are you like me who loved stroopwafels & Dutch cheese? I am so sorry for making you hungry at this time. Thanks for joining me in today’s P’s List. For questions, you may post them in the comments section below or you may send them to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Don’t miss the upcoming posts about my Going Solo in Europe trip plus more budget-saving tips & drooling P’s lists by following me on my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram. Much love! ✌️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Hostel of the Day: DREAM HOSTEL PRAGUE – Stylish & Budget-Friendly Backpacker Hostel in New Town

Another day, another hostel to feature! My recent Going Solo in Europe posts showed the places I visited around Prague, Kutná Hora & Český Krumlov in Czech Republic. I spent 4 out of the 17 days in Czech Republic & I stayed in a stylish & budget-friendly hostel named DREAM Hostel Prague. This backpacker hostel will be today’s hostel of the day feature. This is also my 3^rd European hostel after staying with Generator Hostel in Amsterdam & Sleep Well Youth Hostel in Brussels. Allow me to share some facts about this lovely Prague hostel & how my stay with them went.

Welcome to today’s Hostel of the Day feature – the cheap, cozy & central DREAM Hostel Prague 🇨🇿

Czech Republic was the 3^rd country I visited during my 19-day (flights included) solo trip to Europe last October to November 2019. I started my journey in the Netherlands & visited Amsterdam, Utrecht & North Holland. After a few days, I went down to Belgium & explored Brussels, Ghent & Bruges, I flew to Czech Republic & walked around Prague, Kutná Hora & Český Krumlov. The last leg of this 2.5-week trip was Denmark. I decided to just spend the last few days around the beautiful Copenhagen. If you want to know the details about this Euro trip of a lifetime, check out all the posts under the Going Solo in Europe category.

Dream Hostels & Dream Hostel Prague

DREAM Hostels is a new generation of backpacker hostels located mainly in Ukraine & Central Europe. DREAM Hostels provide budget-friendly & cozy (hotel-like) accommodation, have nice & engaging staff & feature a solo-traveler friendly hostel atmosphere. DREAM Hostels are mainly found around Ukraine (Kiev, Lviv, Poltava, Zaporozhye, Odessa, Rakhov) but also have international branches in Czech Republic, Poland & Slovakia.

I stayed in their Prague property for 4 nights last November 2019. Their hostel in Czech Republic is named DREAM Hostel Prague – a stylish & budget-friendly hostel in the center of New Town Prague. Know more about this hostel in the specifics below.

One of DREAM Hostel Prague’s chairs in the communal co-working space & lounge near reception.

Location & Access

DREAM Hostel Prague is located at Ve Smečkách 23 in New Town Prague. It is in one of the streets off Wenceslas Square, one of the famous & lively squares in Prague. The nearest metro stations are Muzeum & Můstek Stations. It is accessible to both subways & trams. It is near restaurants, cafes & shops. Old Town Prague is 15 minutes away by foot while Národní Muzeum (National Museum) is 5 minutes away by foot.

Václav Havel Airport Prague is about 12 kilometers away from the hostel. A trip from the airport to the hostel or vice versa can take around 35 minutes to 1 hour by taking the bus & the metro. DREAM Hostel Prague’s location is excellent. It is in the center of New Town Prague, in a very quiet but accessible street off Wenceslas Square.

Room Options

DREAM Hostel Prague offers various room & dormitory configurations to its guests. Those travelling on budget can stay in their 8-bed mixed, 8-bed female, 6-bed mixed & 4-bed mixed dormitory rooms. Couples, families or those travelling in small groups can opt to stay in the double or twin rooms, triple & quadruple rooms. Selected rooms have private amenities while most rooms have access to common toilet & shower areas. Rates per night vary depending on days & season. Peak seasons like summer & Christmas holidays cost more than the ordinary / off-peak seasons.

This is my bed in the 8-bed dormitory room. The bed was clean, all made-up & comfy to sleep on.

I booked my stay with Booking.Com & paid 1,880 Kč (₱4,030.14 including credit card charges in local currency) for 4 nights. It cost me around 470 Kč per night – ₱1,008 in local currency. The nightly rate includes a bed in a mixed dormitory room. All beds have curtains for privacy. Rooms have air conditioning & heating systems. Each bed has a plug, reading light, a personal shelf & a locker. Guests share toilets & bathrooms per floor.

I personally think the nightly rate was alright considering I booked my bed 2-3 months before my intended stay. The hostel’s rates are way cheaper than those I paid for Generator Amsterdam, Sleep Well Youth Hostel & Steel House Copenhagen.

Tip: It’s cheaper to book with them directly. Book early to get the best rates on your room of choice. Check out the rates on your planned stay here.

Guest Perks

DREAM Hostel Prague has a long list of perks guests can enjoy during their stay. Check out the list below:

Free Wi-Fi Access – Wi-Fi access is free for all guests of DREAM Hostel Prague. The wi-fi password is found in your key card holder & in the signage all over the hostel. Their connection is fast & reliable!

Affordable Breakfast Buffet – DREAM Hostel Prague offers an affordable breakfast buffet every morning from 8:00 am. The buffet costs 145 Kč on the day itself but is 20 Kč cheaper at 125 Kč per person if you buy it at least the day before. The buffet spread includes bread, jam, cereals, salad, ham, cheese, potatoes & sausages. Drinks such as coffee, tea, fruit juice & water are also included in the rate.

Stylish Indoor Communal Areas & Co-Working Spaces – The hostel has well-designed communal areas & co-working spaces. There is a long wooden table in front of reception for those who want to do some work. There are also couches & comfortable seats around.

Outdoor Garden & Sun Terrace – The hostel has an outdoor garden & sun terrace outside the kitchen & dining area. It is a perfect area to get some sun or to have some quiet time in the morning.

Communal Kitchen & Dining Area – Hostel guests have access to a communal kitchen & dining area. They can buy ingredients from the supermarket & cook their own meals in the kitchen. Once done cooking, guests can enjoy their meals in the spacious dining area beside it.

Clean & Well-Maintained Shower & Toilet Areas – DREAM Hostel Prague’s showers & toilets are some of the cleanest & well-maintained facilities I’ve seen in Europe. Staff clean them every morning & do checks at random times. It’s also the only hostel which has a bidet! I am one happy Asian!

Hostel Dog – One unique thing I found in this hostel is Sam, their hostel dog. This doggo walks freely around the hostel common areas during the day. This dog is nice & friendly. Don’t worry, he doesn’t bite.

Free Luggage Storage – The hostel offers free (yes, free!) luggage storage for all its incoming & outgoing guests. Luggage can be stored in the storage room at the back of reception area, just before the lifts. Make sure your bags have their own locks.

On-site Café & Bar – DREAM Hostel Prague has an on-site care & bar called MATES Café. They offer snacks, drinks & even alcoholic beverages for reasonable prices.

24-Hour Reception – The hostel’s reception is open 24 hours every day & 7 days a week. There’s always someone in reception to help guests out at any time of the day. No need to worry if you need to check out early or check in during the wee hours of the morning.

Friendly Multi-Lingual Staff – The hostel’s staff are very friendly & accommodating. They welcomed me with the best smiles & even gave recommendations on where to go or what to do during my stay. Some staff are multi-lingual, they speak a number of languages.

Amenity Shop & Rental – The hostel as small shop where guests can buy or rent travel essentials such as toothbrush, shampoo, etc.

Laundry Facility – DREAM Hostel Prague has a laundry facility in the basement. Guests may use it too. Make sure to ask reception for details / costs.

Secured Room Entry – All guests are given electronic key cards which only has access to their specific rooms. This ensures that no outsiders can randomly go inside the guest rooms.

Free Walking Tours & Anti-Tours – DREAM Hostel Prague has partnered with SANDEMANs New Europe for a daily free walking tour. A tour guide picks up hostel guests daily at 10:00 am for the 11:00 am free walking tour. The hostel also has anti-tours for those who want to know more about Prague. You may approach reception for more details.

Free Use of Board Games & Puzzles – Guests can play with the board games & puzzles for free while killing some time. These games & puzzles are found in front of the café / reception area.

Lift Access – Guests, especially those with large suitcases, can take the lift up to the rooms without having to carry them.

Experience

I had a lovely 4-night stay at DREAM Hostel Prague. Coming from the expensive cities of Amsterdam & Brussels, I feel like I had some relief paying for an affordable hostel at least in one of the cities I visited. The hostel’s facilities are great. I like the set-up of the common areas & the co-working spaces near the reception – stylish & very pleasing to the eyes. This area is also guest-friendly – a fun place to meet new people who are also travelling. I quite a good bunch of people in this hostel.

This long table in front of reception was probably my most favorite part in the hostel. It’s so cozy!!

The hostel’s location is a winner. It’s located in a quiet street off the busy Wenceslas Square. It actually is in a street of strip clubs & bars but the hostel is safe. I didn’t even hear any noise from those establishments during night-time. The hostel is near the highlights of New Town Prague & is also 15 minutes away by foot from the Old Town highlights. It’s also very accessible to public transportation.

I stayed in an 8-bed mixed dormitory room for 4 nights. The rooms were spacious enough. The beds had curtains for privacy & even positioned in such a way that all guests don’t face each other when sleeping. The beds were spacious & comfortable to sleep in. The shower & toilet beside our room was well-maintained & spot clean.

The hostel paid breakfast was superb. I enjoyed having the sausages (with ketchup) & fried potatoes every morning. The drinks selection was also great. The hostel staff were nice & friendly. They entertained all my questions & even helped me find the best & cheapest way to Český Krumlov. To be honest, I can’t think of a bad thing to stay about this lovely hostel. I mean it!

DREAM Hostel Prague is not the cheapest (but still cheap) hostel option in the city. There are other properties which are cheaper but noisy & less private. This hostel is a perfect example of a property that offers clean & well-maintained facilities, guest privacy in rooms, cozy common areas & excellent guest services for an affordable price. It may not be super duper mega cheap (but it is still very cheap in European standards lol) as the others but it surely gives worth to every money spent in the hostel. I would love to go back in DREAM Hostel Prague again in the future!

Here are the hostel’s contact details for future reference:

DREAM Hostel Prague
Address: 600/23 Ve Smečkách St. Prague, Czech Republic 11000
Phone Numbers: +420 601 576 992 / +420 222 522 650
E-Mail Address: prague@dream-hostels.com
Website: www.dream-hostels.com/en/prague
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DREAMHostelPrague
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dream_hostels

What do you think of DREAM Hostel Prague compared to Generator Amsterdam & Sleep Well Youth Hostel? I will choose DREAM Hostel Prague every single time. The other 2 hostels are also great but this just gives you more than what you actually pay for. It’s also way cheaper than the other two. Do you have any questions about today’s hostel feature? Drop them in the comments section below. I’ll answer them later. Do you have anything to ask about Prague, Kutná Hora, Český Krumlov or Czech Republic in general? Send them to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com & I’ll make sure to answer you in no time.

If you want to know more about my Europe 2019 trip, check out the posts under the Going Solo in Europe category. You’ll know more about this trip of a lifetime. Oh, can I ask for a favor? Can you help me out & follow me on my social media platforms – Facebook & Instagram? I still have a lot of travel-related content to share so please watch out for them.

Thank you for joining me in today’s hostel of the day feature. Until next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.