Help us at a very social and cool hostel in Albania!

Australia

4

I absolutely loved my time at Homestel. Claas the owner is very helpful, he makes sure the safety of the volunteers is a priority, his understanding when it comes to shifts & will work with you if you'd like to plan things on your days off & make sure you have the time. Usually 4 days on & 3 days off. The morning shift was a bit much sometimes for one person but the other volunteers would help even though off shift. Claas was very pleased to see the teamwork. The booking system is a little tricky but Claas is always very contactable which makes it easier. I loved it, would go back & recommend

over 2 years ago

Colombia

3

I had a good experience, I was able to explore and get to know to her travelers. The 3days off are perfect to travel to other cities. The location is perfect since you can find everything you need by walking. The tasks are relatively easy and you learn quickly how to do them. There's no water for the volunteers so you have to buy. The kitchen is available and there's food to prepare (although another volunteer had to ask because there're not always the basics). Dont take anything personally that communication with Class is sometimes not good and it's a point that could be improved. Thank you!

over 2 years ago

Brazil

4

It was my first volunteering :) pros - I met incredible people (guests and others volunteers) that I will keep in my heart forever - 3 days off is just PERFECT! I traveled a lot - I learned how to get out of my comfort zone - Claas cook very well - the rooftop is amazing cons -the hostel has no employees (all the task is volunteer's responsibility) - we have to buy our own water - we have to do everything alone and at the same time on the shift (while u clean, if a guest arrive, u have to stop and go see the guest) - I didn't like the way Claas talked to me sometimes, I felt like an employee

over 2 years ago

Claas replied

Thank you fir your honest words.
Yes, it was stressful during the time of your stay as we where short on volunteers. Michelle by the way is an employee but your right because she started just a few days before you left. She is a seasonal worker and started with the beginning if the season. Sometimes it is a bit stressful but therefore we guarantee 3 days off.
All the best...✊

Colombia

4

Working in Hostal the hostel was a fantastical experience. During my time in the hostal I made great friends, had many new experiences and proved myself in many different ways. The opportunity to work 4 days and having 3 days off is amazing, because it let's you travel in a very comfortable way. At the same time, the job even though is sometimes demanding it's very doable despite the lack of staff. I'm really grateful with Class for this opportunity. Nonetheless take into account that the food provided for you is not enough so it is necessary to buy groceries and water for yourself. Thanks again

over 2 years ago

United States

2

The first problem I ran into was the nonspecific nature of the tasks assigned, which isn't as much of a predicament if it weren't for the host's reaction when the task in question wasn't performed to his undisclosed standards. The second clash between us came when, during his personal time, I witnessed the host verbalize several slurs. When I stated my discomfort, the host and I agreed to be honest with each other. So now my review will continue in that honesty. There is more I want to speak on, both positive and negative, because the experience was not all bad. But the word count is limited.

almost 3 years ago

Claas replied

Some Reviews are harder to answer to than others it seems. And that one is a tough.
Some People are just not made for handling easy tasks like cleaning a floor. We always thought "could you clean the floor" is somehow self explanatory. It seems it isn't.
We have a task sheet at the reception where all tasks are written down according to the shift that we're working on. And we are not a lab where we build space ships, so we expect the volunteers, especially when they promote their skills like cleaning, housekeeping etc., that they are able to do what they applied for. Doing the task with open eyes and a little bit of commitment is usually everything we expect.
We didn't wrote a review to Avery because it was his first volunteering experience and we really believe that with a bit more effort he could do a brilliant job. Also a worldpackers profile shouldn't start with a bad review if there is at least a bit of potential. Probably a bad experience with a host who's not as nice a we are would help him to value more what he got here and would help him to compare.
We think the review is nonsense! It dosen't reflect us at all...and the good things, that couldn't be written because of the lack of space we guess are just imagination! If I would give a 2 star review to a host, then there wasn't anything good! Or how else could it be 20 out of 100% then...?🤔🤔🤔
But still...all the best Avery!

United States

4

I had a great month in the hostel. Claas obviously knows the area really well so he was able to provide great suggestions for what to do on our days off and did his best to pair my friend and I to have days off together. Because we were there during off season, sometimes we worked on tasks like tidying up / spring cleaning when we didn't have many guests. I learned a lot on this trip because i had never volunteered at a hostel. It felt like a bit of a challenge in the first couple of weeks but i ended up feeling much more comfortable in the second half of the month!

almost 3 years ago

Colombia

5

The hostel is a very nice place, the hostel is well located and Class has everything there to feel you comfortable. Also he is an expert cook. The team was very nice and shifts were always respected. I would recommend this place to volunteer, specially in a good season, with no doubt is a perfect place

about 3 years ago

Peru

5

Thank you again, Class for this experiencie as I told you I left the hostel with the desire to return very soon and I know that it will be so. I am so glad for what I lived and learned in the hostel 🇦🇱 this country has really surprised me in the best way. Thanks for the times you made dinner, I really enjoyed it The hostel is big and nice, it has a rooftop very cool and is very close to the center of the city and the station bus, the hostel is cheap and the people is so kind and friendly, the food is delicious.

about 3 years ago

Colombia

5

It is a totally recommended place, the schedules and rest days are respected, you can get to know the city.

over 3 years ago

Argentina

5

Volunteering in the hostel was a great experience. Claas is a super nice person,he gave us the week schedule once a week, so we could know our working hours and plan our days. Also he gave us free days together and lended a tent so we were able to make some trips to the outskirts of Tirana. The tasks were making breakfast,reception, cleaning and sometimes going shopping. But nothing too hard because the hostel is not so big. We worked on shifts and they always were respected. The food was good specially when Claas cooked,he is an amazing chef. Thanks for everything Claas, we'll miss you!

over 3 years ago

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