Welcome to Podstel Bucharest!
Podstel is more than just a bed - we are a community hostel run by travellers, just a 5-minute walk from Unirii Square. We focus on giving each guest a unique experience and organise fun events, inspiring workshops & family meals every week.
We are owned and run by Dan and Sam - childhood friends from the UK - who shared a collective dream to set up a new kind of hostel. We visited over 400 hostels in 50+ countries to understand what travellers need from a hostel while building the Podstel vision on the road.
After all the hard work and adventures, we are excited to invite you to stay with us at the first Podstel.
Here’s what you can expect from your stay:
STAFF
We know what it’s like to be on the road. We’ve travelled to over 50 countries on 5 continents, learning from other hostels and interviewing 100s of backpackers in order to understand what you need.
Beyond a friendly social atmosphere, hot shower and good night’s sleep, we want to get to know you as a friend and give you personalised recommendations of things to see and do in Bucharest.
We love language and enjoy communicating with our guests, so to help make sure nothing is lost in translation, we speak fluent English, Romanian, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German & Swiss German.
ATMOSPHERE
We work hard to create a fun, homely and creative atmosphere.
Our spacious garden is filled with lush trees & flowers, hammocks, a summer bar and an Arabic tent, giving the feeling of a chilled natural oasis in the heart of Bucharest.
It’s a great place to unwind, enjoy a fresh smoothie and meet fellow travellers, locals and our two friendly house cats, Chai & Dharma.
We also have a ‘secret garden’ with hanging flower baskets and comfy cushions, where you can kick back, relax or even enjoy a game of table tennis with fellow travellers.
EVENTS/WORKSHOPS
We work hard to make Podstel a vibrant, creative, and social place for you.
We are equipped with a stage, 90-inch projector and PA system, and our garden can host up to 150 people.
We enjoy organising fun events and inspiring workshops FREE OF CHARGE for all of our guests, such as:
-Weekly community events including open mic, movie night, family meals and yoga.
-Events: Live music, art & cultural performances from locals.
-Workshops e.g. painting, meditation, writing, photography, drawing.
-Presentations on themes such as travel, self-development and health.
Do you have a passion project or skill you’d like to share at Podstel? We love giving our guests a platform to share what they love with our community. We are always looking for people who want to host their own events and workshop so if you have something you’d like to share, send us an email and we’ll help you bring your idea to life.
INDOOR TEAHOUSE
If you’re looking for chilled ambient music, good vibes and an opportunity to meet locals, expats and fellow travellers, our indoor teahouse area is the place to be. It's also a great place to get work done with comfy seating, plug sockets everywhere and super-fast WiFi internet.
We offer:
-Beers and alcoholic cocktails.
-46 speciality teas from all over the world.
-Toasted sandwiches & snacks.
In the Summer, we serve delicious fresh fruit smoothies made with fruits and herbs grown in our garden and homemade freshly-squeezed lemonades.
In Winter, we serve hot mulled wine.
LOCATION
Podstel is located in a quiet and safe neighbourhood just 500 metres South of Unirii Square. We are in short walking distance to many supermarkets, restaurants, parks, clubs, and many popular sights. We are also the closest hostel to the bus stop of the 24-hour airport bus.
Here's our proximity to points of interest in Bucharest:
-Unirii Square: 5-minute walk to shops, ATMs, currency exchange bureaus, supermarkets, buses and Bucharest’s main metro station, Piata Unirii (direct connection to Gara De Nord - main train station).
-Nightclubs: 5-minute walk to two of Bucharest’s most popular clubs.
-Old Town: 15-minute walk to all the bars, cafes, bistros, clubs, art galleries, antique shops & museums.
-Other Key Places: 5-minute walk to Carol Park (Nation’s Heroes Memorial), 10-minute walk to Tineretului Park, 10-minute walk to daily free walking tour & 15-minute walk to Palace of Parliament.
OTHER
-Free hugs and positivity.
-Fully equipped self-catering kitchen with a cooker, microwave, fridge, utensils, herbs & condiments.
-Free use of musical instruments - ukuleles, guitars, microphones, keyboard and PA system.
-Free board games.
-Free use of stage and opportunity to organise your own event or workshop.
That’s everything for now, thanks for reading and we look forward to welcoming you soon at Podstel.
Property Name: Podstel Bucharest
Street Address:
City :
Contact Name: Podstel Bucharest
Phone: -
Email: -
Amenities
- Baggage storage
- Laundry service
- Lounge
- Photocopying services
- Printer
- Stage
- Teahouse
- Bar
- Cafe
- Lockers
- Free Events
- Summer Bar
- Free Maps
- Family Meals
- Free Wifi
- Table Tennis
- Free Parking
- Free Hugs
- Kitchen
- Towels For Rent
Check-in/Check-out Policies
This property has the following check-in and check-out times and policies:
Check-In: 14:00
Check-Out: 11:00
Property and Cancellation Policies :
Terms and Conditions
GENERAL
Check-in/ Check out Information
Check-in: 2 PMCheck-out: 11 AM**
**If your departure is later, you are more than welcome to stay in the hostel during that day and use the facilities. We also have free luggage storage on your day of departure!
Booking Policy
When making a reservation with us, you will be required to provide identification information including, their name, email address, contact telephone number, credit card number and expiry date.For bookings over 200€, to confirm your booking, you will need to provide 20% of the total amount in advance. Payment can be through credit card or we can give you our bank details for direct debit. Your booking will be confirmed once payment is received.
Podstel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards without any written approval from the customer and may at any time cancel the Booking if the payment details provided by the Customer are invalid and the Customer fails to provide alternative valid details.
Can I make a reservation without a credit or debit card?
No. You’ll need a valid credit or debit card to reserve online or over the phone.We accept payment in cash or by credit card. Please note that paying with credit card incurs an additional 3% surcharge. If you don't have cash when you arrive, you have the option of paying later during your stay.
Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel or amend your reservation to receive a full refund you will need to notify us by email 48 hours in advance of your arrival date by 2.00pm (GMT+2). If you notify us any less than 48 hours before your arrival date, or in case of a no-show, you will not be entitled to a refund and will be charged for your first night of accommodation.— Advance Purchase rates: If cancelled, modified, or in case of a no-show, the total price of the reservation can be subject to change.
— Podstel may at any time cancel a booking if the Hostel becomes unavailable due to circumstances outside Podstel’s control. In which case Podstel will refund the Customer any deposit or booking fee paid.
Group Booking (More than 6 people)
If you want to make a reservation for more than 6 people, please contact us by email, We have special group prices!Group Policies regarding payment and cancellation will be given on request
Discretion
All bookings are subject to availability and Podstel reserves the right to decline any booking at its discretion.Hostel Rules
No Smoking
Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the PODSTEL buildings. Any guest found smoking inside the building, outside of the designated areas, will be fined €50 and asked to leave the premises immediately. A refund will not be issued for the stay.No Drugs
Drug use is illegal in Romania. Any guest found using drugs within any of the buildings will be fined €250. He/she will be asked to leave the premises immediately. A refund will not be issued.Damage to Podstel Property
Guests will be expected to reimburse Podstel for any damage caused by inappropriate behaviour during their stay.ID
Valid photo identification in the form of a National ID or Passport is required at check-in.Conduct
Guests are required to conduct themselves in a reasonable and responsible manner at Podstel and must not act in any way which may disturb other guests. Failure to adhere to this requirement may result in guests being asked to leave the hostel in which event all Charges and Additional Charges shall become immediately payable by the Guest.Damages
The guest will be responsible for any loss or damage caused at Podstel. The guest may be liable for Podstel’s reasonable cost of repairing, cleaning or replacing any property of Podstel which is damaged, soiled or lost by a Guest.Animals
No animals are allowed in the hostel or garden area.Bed Sharing
No single dorm room bed can be booked or used to accommodate two people. Each room is limited to the number of people stated on the online platforms.Age Restrictions
Bookings cannot be accepted from any person under the age of 16 unless they are accompanied by an adult (18 or over)Nobody under the age of 18 will be accommodated in any shared dorm rooms and therefore must stay in a private dorm, accompanied by an adult (18 or over). Failure to adhere to this rule will result in automatic cancellation with no refund given.
RATE CHECK 