Hostel Amazing Ionika CenterCity

This is such a cool hostel!!! It's located not far away from the central square, only 10 mins walk. (But the centre of Chisinau is very small, so everything is walkable). Actually, if you come from the airport with the trolley n. 30 you can get off at Casa Presei, which is only 5 mins walk from the hostel. The area all around is pretty nice, with several cafe and restaurants. The building is small, but very well organized. I stayed in a 6-bed dorm. I loved that the beds are in the wooden frame, so everything is stable, and not moving. Also, the curtain!! You can have your privacy! Inside you have a lamp, sockets, a hook for your clothes and even a small table. The hostel has a kitchen where you can cook your food, or just hang around with other people. Also, on the top floor there's a nice lounge, and even outside there's a gazebo where you can sit and relax. We spent so many nights talking between us guests. The cozy atmosphere really helps to make new friends. The staff at the reception is really nice, and always available at any time. Rubens, the owner, is always a text away if you need him. You will often see him and his wife at the hostel: they make whatever they can to make you feel at home. Also, Rubens organize two separate tours, one to Transnistria and the other to the wineries and monastery in Old Orihei, and he conducts them personally with his minivan. So, if you feel you don't want to plan your own transportation and want to see a lot of things, he got you covered. I've done the one to Transnistria and I loved it. For the price, the location, the atmosphere and the fun this is a great stay in Chisinau!

I spent a few nights here in one of the private rooms with a shared bathroom and shower. It's a great hostel. It has a nice hostel vibe and feels cozy, with lots of nice touches like colourful art on the walls and beanbag chairs and nooks and crannies to sit and hang out in. The kitchen is functional and clean and a good place to eat your meals. Both the staff and the owner were extremely hospitable and friendly. My room was so cozy and comfortable and nicely decorated. I felt very at home there. It's also a very good location. I was able to walk pretty much everywhere I wanted to go. The wi-fi was good. I had to do some work while i was there and I had no trouble having telephone calls over Wi-Fi or sending documents. The owner offers many tours. I had already booked my tours before I arrived so I didn't use his services, but they seem to be varied and of good value. Some of the other reviews mention a lot of locals staying there and having some issues with that. When I stayed there, there was a mix of local men and Ukrainian men and other backpackers like me. It was a good mix of people, and everybody seemed friendly.

Friendly staff, nice to meet other guests. Only complaint was people sleeping on the sofas/common area in the dorm (10 bed dorm, we were all very warm, but one person slept on the sofa by the window). I asked staff, and was assured he wouldn’t sleep there. He was there all night for 2 nights. Not very fair.

Consider staying in another hostel. I When I arrived the first Thing that met me, was the party of I think Ukrainian refugees, totally wasted. They kept playing so loud music outside, that i could lay in my bed and trace the music number on my phone. Even though i went to the receptionist many times, and he told them to turn it down, 20 minuts later they turned it back up. They had No respect for that Guy in the reception. The rooms are def not soundprof! 10 My room was freezingly cold, cause they forgot to "turn" on the central heating. I arrived at 9pm, and the room didnt start to warm up until 01am, so I went to bed in my winterjacket. Wallpaper is coming off in the room, and both the sheets and towls needs to be upgraded. Last, had to use the bathroom in the night, and someone was also sleeping in the common room of the hostel, with a bucket and puke on the floor. The sound and smell in the morning from this person, its just not acceptable. ||| I think its great if the hostel is helping people out, who needs it the most right now. But its a hostel with paying costumers, and not a shelter, they should inforce some rules, so that other guest feels good and safe too.