Hostel Utö

The hostel is located in a former summer hotel. Although it is a hostel, it is operated by Utö Värdshus and is part of the same business. I had booked a double room, but due to logistics, they gave me a 4 bed room all to myself, (to the same price). The room, and the whole hostel, was nice and clean. I had opted to rent bed linen, and that was very nice, hotel standard sheets, and a big fluffy towel. The 4 bed room had 4 bunk beds, where one of the lower bed was wider, so that it would accomodate a couple (or a grownup and a child if needed). I found the matress of the bed a bit thin but not too bad. There was a wash basin in the room, but showers and toilets are in the corridor. They are clean and fresh. The room had lots of hooks for hanging things and some small storage. It was definitely large enough for me, and would be for 2 people, but I assume a family may find it a little crowded. One thing with the hostel, the walls are very thin, so you hear everything that goes on in every other room, the corridor and the kitchens. That was not a problem when I was there as people were very quiet. I bought the buffet breakfast from Utö Värdshus, and found it satisfactory, with a lot of stuff included, some hot food, bacon, scrambled eggs, waffles, eggs, bread and spreads, and fresh fruit. Orange juice that you squeeze yourself from fresh oranges. I do think that people would find the breakfast pricey at 150 SEK. I did not use the kitchen in the hostel. But I had a look, and it looks nice and fresh. However I think if there are a lot of people stayiing and everyone using it, it would be crowded. The kitchens have nice verandas with a sea view. The best thing about the hostel is the surroundings. Utö is a nice island with a little of everything, some restaurants and shops, yet if you want some solitude, you just need to walk away 5 minutes. When I stayed, the hostel was quiet. I stayed during the week. I heard rumours about the hostel becoming a party place during weekends, with noisy drunken people. But, this was nothing I experienced. There is a public WiFi that covers part of the public areas of Utö. There was coverage at the guest marina, at Utö Värdshus, and some other areas, but inside the hostel the service was very patchy, almost non existent when I was there. That, I assume, may change.