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About
#2 of 44 Specialty lodging in Tartu
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Hektor Design Hostel is first-of-its-kind in the Baltics, bringing to you a traditional & simple hostel experience with rare quality in service and surroundings. Located next to the new heart of Tartu’s creative scenery, Aparaaditehas, we live & breathe design, accessability and progress. Tartu's main attractions, Tartu Raekojaplats and Old Town, are also within walking distance.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Sauna
Bar / lounge
Bicycle rental
Game room
Books, DVDs, music for children
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Secured parking
Wifi
Coffee shop
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Kids' meals
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Board games / puzzles
Meeting rooms
Baggage storage
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
24-hour front desk
Self-serve laundry
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Room features
Allergy-free room
Safe
Bottled water
Kitchenette
Microwave
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Green
Languages Spoken
English, Russian, Estonian, Finnish
Location
78Somewhat walkable
Grade: 78 out of 100
28Restaurantswithin 1 km
49Attractionswithin 1 km
99Reviews0Q+A11Room tips
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviewsTripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
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We perform checks on reviews
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Traveller rating
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Good afternoon! Be very careful with the booking using the bookinking system and the specific service provider. I canceled the reservation too late, called the hostel and its employee promised that the reserved money would be returned. But but but... I received information that no, we will keep the money. Well then - the ad will be like this - use this seat….. but you will always want to keep the money that you have not earned. Guests will be accommodated for two fees!
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
It is very much what you see is what you get, so I'm not going to mark it down for not being high-end or fancy. Would've given it 4 stars otherwise, but sadly cannot rate the sleep quality at all. I don't mind the no reception/staff concept and having codes for doors does make it easy. However, in case of issues it does kind of leave you at a dead end, particularly at night. In our case, we arrived at Tartu when it was less than -10 degrees outside, and while the heating was on full, it just wasn't enough to heat up the room with very high ceilings, so had to wait until the next morning to be able to ask an extra duvet from the cleaners (which they did happily give us). The duvet is pretty thin & the pillows, while not horrible, definitely not great either. Same for the mattress. Other than the cold, we found that the beds were quite small - we're both about 165cm and averagely sized and even we couldn't fit our limbs comfortably at times. The pipes also make quite a lot of 'white noise' at all times; definitely an issue for light-sleepers. Decor is fine, though a little inconsistent. The hallways have a really intense industrial colour scheme, and then the rooms are almost like a one-up from your grandma's sauna-house. I didn't mind the industrial, knowingly half-finished IKEA vibe, but I do think it would benefit from some light laminate to tie it altogether a bit better. However, in general I was happy with the room. It was decently sized for the budget, and our twin had a functioning kitchenette with a microwave, kettle and a fridge. Bathroom looks nice enough, but as others have said, it does have a slight damp smell (nothing like old English houses, though!), probably because the shower nook itself is just a little too small to keep the water from not flooding. We didn't hear much noise from our neighbours or outside (windows were facing away from the main road) except in the morning (doors in hallway). The location is good. It's about a 10min walk to either the train station or central; next to a hipster-restaurant area & there's a grocery shop nearby. It's probably a decent shout for smaller people in average weather, but any extremities, I would probably recommend a different hotel. …
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Pour location. More than basic room ( understatement). No air conditionning. Very hot during summer nights. Not worth the price we paid for. We were supposed to stay 2 nights but fled this horrible place alter staying one night. Hotel to avoid.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Wonderful yellow-black labeled hostel in Tartu! Very modern and new. Parking lots behind the hostel with automatic entrance. Friendly stuff, quick Check-In. Rooms are clean. Unfortunately the bed is NOT yellow-black ...
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
The bed is for midgets. The room is minimal to say the least. About one step up from a prison cell. One very thin duvet, one hard pillow and one small towel for a shower. The hotel is next to a 24 hour building site which will keep you awake all night. There is no air conditioning so if it's hot you are out of luck. When you open the window for air the construction noise will make your teeth rattle. it's also next to a main road so you can hear the hotrods and motorbikes screaming up and down. They will charge you 5 Euros for breakfast which may seem to be a bargain but it's full of single wrap cheese, cheap meats and diluted orange juice. This place has decided how much money they can save by not supplying things to the guest rather than charging a bit more and making it like a normal hotel. Oh and don't book if you don't like the colour yellow. It's as bright as the sun with yellow paint everywhere. It's also all open wiring and straight concrete lines so no character at all. Hopefully they will have so few guests that they close within six months and a decent chain takes it over. Why did I stay for four nights you might ask? I like to give hotels the benefit of doubt and see if the staff can work with the guest. This staff was not to be seen, and everything closed for the weekend. Oh and I forgot to mention the tiny bathroom and even tinier shower where water flows into the hallway if the shower head is at the wrong angle.. The tiny bathroom has to be shared by two people as well. They have some sort of kitchen area where nobody could get a drink never mind cook a meal. It's just for show. There's a KGB torture dungeon down the street. If it was painted yellow you would think ou were in the same place.…
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Date of stay: August 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: Stay at another hotel.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We did choose this hotel as its new, has intresting design and competitive price. Everything did meet the expectations. Hotel has modern design, nice colours, its functional and very clean. Comfortable parking option behind the hostel, walking distance to city center. Aparaaditehas with good eating places is next to hotel.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
My experience at Hektor’s was remarkable. I had a long term stay at Hektor’s for about 5 months (September- January) due to my exchange studies. First, it’s located very close to the city center, the bus station is almost outside the building and a grocery store is over 50 meters away. Second the hostel is new built and clean. It provides a comfortable common kitchen, sauna, cafe- restaurant a tiny but well- designed library. Third the stuff is at your survive for any further assistance and especially Jana stands out with her kindness and her professionalism. Furthermore, the apartment was nice and cozy, thought it’s a bit small, and it’s equipped with all the basic stuff. One thing that can be improved is the lack of wardrobe, fact that makes it a way inconvenient for a long term stay. Overall, i highly recommend a stay at Hektor’s as the atmosphere is friendly, quiet and cozy!…
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
I needed to stay for one night in Tartu and Hektor offered price level that was equal to Airbnb apartments. As the location suited me well and the minimalist design looked good I chose Hektor. I am relatively satisfied with my stay at the hotel. I liked the room and sufficient equipment in the shared kitchen. What can be better, is mostly the isolation of the room from the rest of the block. You can hear your neighbor going to the toilet like your door is open. And although I like the kitchen with its basic equipment, I would have expected them to have also salt and pepper also on spot. A small thing, but it is the matter of the taste of your breakfast.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Had a long conversation with my hubby about this. It was our second time here. We both adore the design of the place! Also parking is super convenient. Hostel is aesthetically very pleasing. Side note: our 1-year-old also loved the friendly cat that slept around the reception. I would have given them a 4, my hubby only 3 for the following reasons: they had trouble locating our reservation and therefore the toddlers crib etc was not ready in our room. Also breakfast has the basic minimum selection. Only 2 baby chairs in the breakfast room. Sure: also our toddler kept him/us awake though out the night so this might have affected his judgement. ;) However I always feel welcome in this hostel. I am fine with the smaller selection of breakfast stuff and we did get the toddler crib etc while we were out & about searching for a place to eat (most places we closed for the 25th of December).…
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I travel a lot and within the past year or two I have slept in number of bed in various hotels, hostels and airbnb bedrooms. Hektor Design Hostel has been by far the worst place I have slept years. The room looks good and from first look it seems that the designers of the hostel have put here a lot of love but probably after they finished their work they went to sleep somewhere else. In single room the bed is way too small for any northern person (I am 189cm tall, lean guy). The bed is too short and narrow, my head and legs were over the edge of the bed. When I wanted to change my side, I had to be careful not to fall from the bed because it was so narrow. There is no air conditioning in the room and you can not lower the heat. I opened the window to let in some fresh, cold air. My colleague slept in front of the bathroom because that's where there's some aircon. Also, the walls are very thin so that you can hear every person who tries to sleep next to you, above you or underneath your room. Not to mention the noice that comes from corridor.…
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Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Travelled on business
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: Choose different hostel/hotel.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
US$55 - US$72 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
EstoniaTartu CountyTartu
NUMBER OF ROOMS
112
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Claim Your ListingHEKTOR DESIGN HOSTEL - UPDATED 2023 Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions about Hektor Design Hostel
Which popular attractions are close to Hektor Design Hostel?
Nearby attractions include Typa (0.2 km), Tartu Old City (1.2 km), and 'The Kissing Students' sculpture and fountain (1.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Hektor Design Hostel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Hektor Design Hostel?
Guests can enjoy a lounge, breakfast, and a snack bar during their stay.
Is parking available at Hektor Design Hostel?
Yes, free parking, secured parking, and street parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Hektor Design Hostel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Joyce, Werner Cafe, and Restaurant Hõlm.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Hektor Design Hostel?
Yes, guests have access to a sauna during their stay.
Is Hektor Design Hostel located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.9 km away from the centre of Tartu.
Are pets allowed at Hektor Design Hostel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Hektor Design Hostel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Russian, Finnish, and Estonian.
Are there any historical sites close to Hektor Design Hostel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Tartu Town Hall Square (1.2 km), Tartu Saksa Kultuuri Instituut (1.0 km), and Luke Manor and Manor Park (0.6 km).
Is Hektor Design Hostel accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.