BY MADDY THOM
When traveling to Split, Croatia, look no further than the Tchaikovsky Hostel to meet your accommodation needs. This small boutique hostel in the heart of the city provides comfortable accommodation for both individual and group travelers seeking to relax, recharge, and explore all that Split has to offer.
Located near the center of the old town, at the Tchaikovsky Hostel everything is within reach. Just a 5-minute walk from the historic center—or 10 minutes if you stop to idle at the ice cream shops like I do—a 20-minute walk to the ferry docks, bus stations, and Majan Park, and a 30-minute walk to the nearest city beach all of the best attractions are at your fingertips. Additionally, innumerable eateries like pizza parlors, Croatian restaurants, and kebab shops are on neighboring streets, with a local grocery store just around the corner.
The hostel is dust and dirt free thanks to a cheerful cleaning lady who comes every day to ensure that the floors stay spotless and the showers are always smelling fresh. Guests appear to appreciate and respect the immaculately clean environment and dishes are never left in the sink or crumbs on the counter, which says something about the hostel staff as well as the considerate clientele they attract.
While most backpackers are happy enough just to lay their heads, Tchaikovsky sets itself apart by including amenities that make you feel like royalty of the backpacker realm. Bedrooms are fully equipped with large windows and air conditioning is available during summer months. Each guest has access to a personal locker large enough to hold your backpack, daypack, and a variety of personal items, and each bed has additional built in shelving for storage of nighttime necessities, so your books, eyeglasses, and water bottles are always close at hand. Oversized beds are exceptionally comfortable with soft blankets provided for additional winter warmth, power outlets, and personal curtains for maximizing sleeping privacy even in dormitories. Hair dryers are found in the bathrooms, towels and linens are included in the already low price, and the surprise of free breakfast cereals in the morning and coffee and tea served all day leave little to be desired.
Most exceptional about Tchaikovsky, however, are the incredible staff members, namely Filip and Maja, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty. Whether hanging out watching movies in the cozy common space or asking for personalized recommendations about what to do in the city, all guests are made to feel like family by this friendly and considerate duo.
Overall my stay at the Tchaikovsky Hostel was an exceptionally pleasant hostel experience. Though not the place to come if you’re in town to party, this quaint and professionally run accommodation jewel will unquestionably impress anyone seeking a balanced experience in Split.
Note: There is no kitchen at this hostel, just a microwave, sink, and small refrigerator for storage of perishables. While this may distress some backpackers, short-term travelers (up to one week) will find that this does not detract from their stay as food in Split is extremely cheap and a filling meal can be found for €2-10, depending on your budget.
