Ember Hostel

Location: Central or accessible downtown position with nearby dining, bus stops, and attractions .(based on 2 reviews)

Booked in advance. National Hostel World reservation. Holiday weekend July 4th. Volunteers and most staff were very nice. Place was clean and the developing needs of the travelers were anticipated and provided for within reason. That is the good. The bad is that there are folks that travel this way who are not terribly responsible for personal health care. Don't get me wrong, these are good people however, close proximity and prolonged contact with the streets have softened their resolve to be proactive and disciplined about the specific behavior of self care. After a four night stay, I came away with a viral condition that caused a need to isolate for a period after returning home. I realize the good, the bad and the indifferent are relative to our frame of reference. The indifferent for me in this example took shape as I had prolonged contact with the general manager. In her defense, dealing with all the personalities and various stages of need has to be exhausting. When you talk over what a guest is asking to answer a question that is anticipated but incorrectly assumed, things can get frustrating. When problems in serving guests are preventable and or easily correctable, answering the wrong question because of an OCD need to be efficient truly serves no one. My stay included the good, housekeeping was excellent, The bad, I incurred disrespectful behavior and additional charges because the general manager may indeed be managing extreme burnout, and the indifferent? An example here is that the regular clientele are adaptive and forgiving due to having in some cases, no where else to go. Bottom line? If you are immunocompromised or have a thin skin for slights, abrupt answers to questions, or are of an age where decency and respect are a staple of your personal value set, I ask again, is this really what you want?

Good, friendly, transport convenient