The High Hostel

❌❌❌ A Complete Nightmare This is the first time I've ever written such a detailed review for a hostel — but what I experienced here was genuinely awful, and people deserve to be warned. I was on a low-budget trip in July and chose The High Hostel because of its appealing photos and seemingly good location. That decision turned into one of the biggest travel regrets of my life. 📍 Location: 'Close to the City' Is a Joke The hostel claims to be close to the city center(0.14km from city centre), but the reality is wildly different: it's located at the top of a massive hill, requiring a 45–60 minute uphill climb on a steep 45-degree slope. Now imagine doing this hike in Budva’s 35°C (95°F) scorching summer heat, under heavy humidity. It’s not a walk — it’s a full-on Everest expedition. You’re no longer a backpacker; you’re a mountain climber who didn’t sign up for it. And guess what? This detail is conveniently omitted from their details. You only receive a warning email on the day of arrival, directing you to use a private taxi service. I was quoted €20 by every taxi driver, even though the hostel misleadingly states that the fare should be around €5. One driver literally told me, “Do you know how high that place is? It’s your choice,” implying I had no option. He was right — it was a trap. I ended up walking — a terrible mistake. That climb physically wrecked me. I developed blisters and pain in my feet that affected the rest of my trip. For anyone curious about just how high this hostel is located, I’ve included a link to a video I took from the city center, showing the hill you’re expected to climb. https://tinyurl.com/highhostel I believe that video says more than words ever could. 🧍‍♂️ Reception: Rude and Unwelcoming When I arrived, the lobby was empty. I was completely exhausted and sat on a couch to recover for a moment. Eventually, a bearded man (turned out to be the receptionist) came out of the toilet and stared at me coldly. No hello, no welcome. Just a blunt: “Who are you?” I tried to explain my situation — that I planned to go downtown but didn’t expect to climb a mountain with all my luggage and needed a moment to recover. His response? “I can't wait you, I'm going to sleep and That’s not my problem. You either pay or you go” I was completely exhausted and had no strength left to argue — so I ended up being forced to pay the full price for couple hours entire night(because it was morning, 06.00 AM) just because I just needed to sit down ,rest and catch my breath. That was the moment I realized: I had been trapped. And probably not for the their first time. 🛏️ Room: Dirty, Noisy, and Bitten The room was filthy. I woke up covered in bug bites that left redness, swelling, and itching for days. There was air conditioning, but it blew cold air for 30 seconds every few minutes — completely useless. The room had a private shower, but the walls were paper-thin, so when someone else used the shower in the morning, it sounded like they were in my bed. Impossible to sleep. 🔌 No Secure Storage — and Unsafe I was assigned the top bunk. There was no place to keep my small belongings like phone while charging. I had to hang my phone down from the bunk with the charging cable stretched to a plug below. It felt unsafe the entire time. 🧼 Facilities: Filthy Bathrooms, Disgusting Smell Bathrooms were muddy, with yellow-stained shower curtains. No ventilation — you literally choke in the steam after a shower. There was even a sign saying, “Please leave the bathroom door open after use” — which says everything. The kitchen was directly connected to the lobby, and the smell of cheap, greasy food constantly flooded the common area. It was nauseating. 💳 Extra Charges and Hidden Fees I tried to pay by credit card, but they charged an additional fee — again, not mentioned anywhere in advance. What seemed like a budget-friendly option became more expensive than a normal, decent hostel once all hidden costs and the mandatory taxi fare were factored in. ⚠️ BOTTOM LINE: A TRAP IN DISGUISE This hostel lures you in with pretty photos and cheap prices, then bleeds you dry with hidden costs, terrible conditions, and physical exhaustion. The location is deceptive, the staff are aggressive, hygiene is a joke, and the vibe is deeply uncomfortable. If I could give zero stars, I would. But since that’s not possible, I’m forced to leave the lowest rating available. This is a hostel to avoid at all costs. Seriously — stay anywhere else. Choose a hostel in the city center. By the time you add up the taxi fare and suffering, The High Hostel will cost you more money and far more regret.