Hostel 3 Review

[Louella Kammann]

Bewarned: If you are not a fan of movies that splash gore, body parts and guts across the screen, Hostel is most definitely not for you. Hostel is rated "R" and for damn good reasons.

When I review movies, depending on the film, I sometimes try to judge a movie not only from a general perspective, but when applicable also as it fits into a specific genre. As a horror movie, I think Hostel achieves it's goal of, well, horrifying the audience and it gets points for going in a different direction than I expected from the trailer and commercials. On a broader scale it wasn't too bad either.

As the film opens we're introduced to Paxton and Josh, a couple of guys backpacking around Europe before heading back to the States to start a mundane existence consisting of attending Law School. They're accompanied by a drifter that has joined them at some point who is a Czech and thus more familiar with where they are travelling, acting as a part-time interpreter and all around clown. They're all portrayed basically as walking erections, looking for places where they can sow their oats. They're in Amsterdam, apparently the right place considering what they're looking for.

Josh comes across as almost having morals, not wanting to pay for sex, but more than happy to search for a one night stand with whatever hot looking woman comes his way (as long as he doesn't have to pay for it). Really he seems to be succumbing to peer pressure from his two buddies and he's the classic "good guy" in a horror flick ensemble.

Paxton is a total horn-dog as is Oli, the drifter. Eventually they come across a dude that looks like a junkie who knows of a place in Slovakia where the women far outnumber the men and the majority of them look like supermodels. So, off goes our trio by train on their quest.

While on the train, they meet a creepy Danish businessman, who makes a pass at Josh, who naturally freaks out. Once they arrive, they find the dreaded hostel, which of course doesn't look dreadful at all. As soon as they arrive they think they've hit the jackpot as they're invited to join a couple of beautiful (and topless) women at the hostel's spa. Small talk follows, they all end up at a nightclub and they all end up in bed. There is a lot of nudity in Hostel, and although it fits the plot, there's more than necessary if you ask me, with the overall effect almost feeling like a porn film has been intercut with the main one.

Anyway, first one guy vanishes and then another and we end up with our main protagonist in a really bad jam. I don't want to say much more about the story in case you see the movie, but I found it very tense and gripping.

I compared this to the heyday of horror movies back in the early 1980's because that's what kept coming to mind. Movies like Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street, with all the gore, female nudity and deaths of sexually immoral characters. The generation of horror films that came after, like I Know What You Did Last Summer and the like were but a pale reflection of those early 80's flicks.

Again, if you're not a fan of this sort of movie, don't even bother because once it starts down the gore path, it gets pretty intense and parts of it are really hard to watch (moreso than the recent Saw movies in my opinion). However, if horror in the vein (sorry, couldn't help myself) of those movies mentioned above is up your alley, then I'd say this is for you.

One of the most innovative uses of space I have seen in a hostel, ClinkNOORD have managed to create distinct areas within the common room without destroying the open and flowing atmosphere between these spaces.

You had to know this was coming! One of my all time favourite hostel bars is the Clash Bar at Clink78 but, surrounded by local artwork and lined with bar stools the Zinc Bar at ClinkNOORD may now have taken top spot!

Soon we were joined by Little Travel Bee, The Little Backpacker, Indiana Jo and the Clink Team which meant the beer testing continued far later than I would have planned and I had to haul myself for an early-ish night in order to be fresh for my first full day at ClinkNOORD!

But whilst it was only Sandra who had the unique talent of making me want to bust a move at nine in the morning, I found that no matter what the time of day or the staff member the whole Clink Team worked 200% to provide customer service that Clink Hostels would be proud of.

What Clink Hostels have managed to do with ClinkNOORD is to build a boutique and social environment whilst still keeping the family feel of their London hostels. And in my opinion, being part of the Clink family in a clean and modern hostel is well worth the cost.

Leaving ClinkNOORD was incredibly tough, not just because of the fabulous staff and facilities, but because the hostel helped me fall even more in love with a city I thought I knew like the back of my hand.

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When I was browsing hotels in Amsterdam, THIS HOSTEL was the first thing that came up. Although I solo travel a lot, I had surprisingly never stayed in a hostel before! (In fact, my first hostel stay was going to be in London, which is where I was visiting before going to Amsterdam).

Traveling solo can sometimes be intimidating, but THIS HOSTEL made me feel completely at ease. Their rooms are designed as cube rooms, which are particularly nice for solo travelers. I had never been in a hostel that offered this kind of single-room concept before. The cozy, cube-shaped rooms provided a sense of security that I really valued.

The staff at THIS HOSTEL truly went above and beyond to make my stay enjoyable. They were always ready with recommendations for things to do and places to see in Amsterdam. Their attentiveness and willingness to assist with any questions or concerns made me feel like I had a personal concierge throughout my stay.

One thing that sets THIS HOSTEL apart from the rest is its incredible attention to aesthetics. The dark, moody interior lighting creates a mysterious yet incredibly fun atmosphere. From the common areas to the cube rooms, the design exudes a sense of being there to have a good time.

The bathroom had 3 sinks in the middle of the room with 3 mirrors. They were situated so one person could stand on each side and brush their teeth or do their hair (in other words, you could fit 6 people around the sinks). Bonus: They also have hairdryers!

Overall, my stay at THIS HOSTEL in Amsterdam was amazing. Between the delicious Mexican food at Fiona, the safety and comfort of the cube rooms, the convenient location, the helpful staff, and the captivating aesthetics, THIS HOSTEL offers an unforgettable experience for solo travelers.

But the place really comes alive at night and it was busy every night that I was there. As mentioned before, the crowd seemed to be a mix of locals and other people staying at the hostel. The age range also varied from early 20s to people in their 40s to 50s.

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Mayan Monkey Los Cabos: The Best Hostel in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Cabo San Lucas is a beautiful and lively vacation destination on the tip of Baja California. Most people assume that a trip to Cabo is going to cost $$$ for accommodation, but did you know that the Mayan Monkey offers a luxury hostel experience in the heart of Cabo San Lucas? I am so happy we chose to stay at the Mayan Monkey Hostel in Cabo San Lucas. The Mayan Monkey is the best hostel in Cabo San Lucas and one of the best in Mexico! It [...]

One of the coolest aspects of Mayan Monkey is the rooftop bar! Called the Banana Bar, this is a colorful area is also where the swimming pool is located. I did not spend much time here, therefore I am not aware of the drink prices. If I were staying longer, I would use this area to socialize with other guests who may also be solo travelers.

As I mentioned previously, Mayan Monkey includes breakfast and dinner in their price at their Banana Bar. I was pleasantly surprised with the breakfast because it was not the continental style I became accustomed to in my European travels. There was toast, juice, and cereal, however there were also cooks available for made-to-order omelets! I missed dinner the night before, but the breakfast was delicious so I trust the dinner too. Both meals came at no extra cost, meaning they were included in the $18 price, and my love for Mexican hostels skyrocketed.

There are common areas to sit on couches or chairs on every floor to relax! Other common areas include the Banana Bar and swimming pool on the rooftop. These living spaces would be nice to unwind after a long day of touring Cancn. Or, they are also the perfect areas to mingle with other visitors. I met two incredible black travelers within minutes of sitting down in the common area, and we ended up chatting over tacos for hours!

Mayan Monkey was pristine. The rooms themselves were clean with sheets and a pillow all ready to go. All areas are cleaned during breakfast time daily. The bathroom was also clean, in addition to the common areas, swimming pool, and Banana Bar. Since I went in May, air conditioning was a must and Mayan Monkey circulates air through the hostel perfectly. Honestly, it set the bar high for hostels in Mexico.

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