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Minsk doesn’t get many backpackers. The ease of travelling around the EU means getting a Belarus visa is too much effort for many. As a result, there aren’t too many hostels in Minsk, let alone the smaller cities.
Amen
After staying with my friend for a couple weeks I stayed in Hostel Revolution for four nights.
Approaching the hostel at 11pm on a Wednesday night with no reservation the area felt safe with a prominent Hostel Revolution sign surrounded by a red circle signalling the hostel did exist. I’d read reception was 24 hours but noone was there on arrival. Eventually I tracked them down, this made me uneasy about security from the get go.
Staff
The staircase in the reception is choice
There seemed to be a different staff member each day at reception. They were all polite and helpful when requested but never oozed of energy. English level was high overall, comforting in a city where many who speak some English are not confident in their skills with a kiwi who speaks seven million miles an hour like myself. Slow down Jub!
Comfort
Hostel Revolution Common Room
The common room was massive but not homely. There are a few tables and chairs, but it is more of a dining room feel and people didn’t come to the area to hang out. The balcony is massive and when the sun is out it is nice to hang out there, if you don’t mind smokers. There was even a free market held on the balcony on the Saturday.
Hostel Revolucion Kitchen
The kitchen is very small and with two people in there you are squashed as. But is has all the facilities you require and you can take your food to the dining room of course.
The bathrooms were split into male/females toilets but with only one toilet and three showers in the males, it wasn’t really enough for the number of people staying there. They were always clean however, which was nice (except temporarily when some guy threw up everywhere). They do provide towels free of charge.
Bad photo, but spacious enough rooms
The beds are a good size and the blanket warm, something a hostel in Europe must have for the cold winters.
The art work in the hallways was a nice touch, appreciated that for sure.
Security was laxed, you can get a locker key but the locks are flimsy and with reception downstairs anyone can access any dorm room they want.
Value
The hostel lives up to this I feel
I paid 320,000 BYR (8€) for a space in the 12 bed dorm. Great value with lockers fitting all but the biggest of bags.
There is a slightly cheaper hostel 4km away but with the location of Hostel Revolution, it is by far the superior option.
Location
The balcony is choice
The hostel is located on the edge of the ‘tourist area’. This is misleading as the tourist area is around 10 minutes walk from one end to the other. So in reality the location is great. A couple supermarkets are within five minutes walk, Island of Tears is 15 minutes away and with the metro five minutes away you can get to all the major sites (Belarus National Library) easily.
Digital Nomad Savvy
Internet is available throughout the hostel. One day there was a connection issue for 15 minutes or so. During the middle of the day the day there was some slowness but otherwise the connection was solid.
Power sockets were everywhere. From the common room where I’m writing this I can see 16 outlets. Every hostel/cafe/airport should be like this. Heaven.
Speedtest.net results: 27down/17up/3ms.
How To Get There
The hostel is located around 20 minutes walk from the central train and bus station which is easiest to walk to. You could take a metro station the one stop (4,500 BYR), but if you have not used the metro yet it is probably easier to walk.
