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!

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.