Knight House Hostel | Tallinn - She Loves to Travel

One of the reasons in choosing Knight House Hostel is the location! It is in Tallinn’s Old Town with only ten rooms. The few rooms and the shoes off policy drew me to this hostel. You wouldn’t think shoes off policy would draw anyone to a hostel, but it came across as being home. Where else would you take your shoes off but at home. To me, this hostel came across as being home; a home away from home while in another country.

Location

I couldn’t have picked a more perfect location if I tried. It was easy to get here. Then again, I did take a taxi from the airport to the hostel upon arriving at night. Still, I don’t think it would have been confusing or difficult to get here during the daytime either. My suggestion to anyone arriving at night is to take the taxi to the hostel or wherever you will be staying since it takes the guesswork out of trying to find your way around the city.

Upon arriving at night, I waited until morning to acclimate myself to the area. I found out I was right across the street from Niguliste Church and that Old Town was literally around the corner from where I was staying. Old Town would be one of the reasons I would recommend Knight House to anyone because of its picturesque town Centre and cobblestone streets. Everything is easily accessible from the hostel which makes it the perfect place to stay if you decide to visit Tallinn.

Rooms

I chose a private room for my stay therefore I can’t tell you anything about the shared rooms that are available. If you know anything about me and my travels, you know that I typically stay in a shared room because it is a great way to meet people if you are traveling solo. For this trip, I decided I wanted my own room, so I could come back to it during the day and kick back for a bit before heading back out to see more sights.

I highly recommend the private room because it had that cozy feel to it; its own table and chair along with another small table with doors so you could put your clothes inside of during the duration of your stay. A bonus was the bed was comfortable because some places have beds that are hard as a rock and very uncomfortable to sleep in after a day out sightseeing. There was even a window to look out of though there wasn’t much to see since it looked out over a small courtyard (I was on the ground floor; first floor for those of us from the states). I think there were a couple of times I saw a car parked right outside my window.

I should mention the private room is not ensuite. Therefore, you will be sharing the bathroom with everyone staying on the same floor as you. Should I mention there are only two toilers on the floor where I stayed taking care of at least five rooms. Two showers are located on the top level.

Facilities

The facilities were great; bathrooms on both floors along with a couple of showers on the top floor. Though I wasn’t a fan of how the showers were set up. You literally walked into the room and there was a sink and then you opened the shower stall with nowhere to hang your towel or clothes. That is one thing that should be changed and that would be adding some sort of hook to hang your things while taking a shower. I will admit the water pressure was great; not having to wait for hot water and you didn’t have to worry about the water becoming cold while taking a shower.

Besides the showers/bathrooms, the rest of the facilities were nice. Loved the kitchen where it felt inviting especially with the balcony that was right there as you walked into the kitchen. I would have loved to have gone out on the balcony, but wouldn’t you know it, the weather was uncooperative and rained almost the entire time I was there. Breakfast was included but you had to be there within certain hours to enjoy it. Pancakes were on offer the entire time I was staying there; stayed one week. There wasn’t much of a reception since it was off the kitchen area and what I would consider the living room per se.

Safety was top-notch. You are given keys upon check-in. One key for the front door, one for your room and a passcode to get into the building itself after using the key for the front door. Security cameras are in what you would call the reception area since I was able to see them as I stopped by to check on my tour. It made me feel safe knowing the staff could keep an eye on who was coming and going from the hostel.

Atmosphere

It felt very laid-back and catered to all walks of life; solo travelers, couples and families. There was a lounge area off reception where you could sit on the couch and chill. Off from reception were a couple of computers for your use… Not sure what activities were offered except for the tour I was able to book from the hostel and pick up from another one within five minutes’ walk from Knight House Hostel.

The Staff

The staff were very helpful especially in canceling my shared room for the last night and procuring me a private room. Though I couldn’t stay in the same room, they made the switch to the other room quick and painless. Besides helping me with my accommodation, they helped with one of the tours they offered. I wasn’t planning on taking any tours while in Tallinn, but I guess I was in the right place at the right time; the kitchen as it were. One of the staff members asked if I wanted to take a tour to Lahemaa National Park. I thought about it and decided to take the tour. Best decision ever and so glad the staff member mentioned it to me and signed me up for the tour. Many hostels do offer tours of some type and I highly recommend taking one of them.

Summary

Knight House Hostel was the perfect hostel for me; smack dab in the middle of everything with Old Town within walking distance. A bonus for me is that I could walk everywhere I needed to go without needing to take public transportation. The hostel was perfect for me though I would make one change and that has to do with the showers. You really do need some sort of hook or place to put your clothes as you are taking a shower but that is a minor detail in the scheme of things. Don’t take my word for it; check out this hostel if you ever make your way to Tallinn.