Stayed at a hostel in Lisbon that charged for towel rental

I went to Lisbon back in March and booked this hostel that looked great online. Cheap beds, good location, all that. But when I got there they charged me 5 euros just to rent a towel. That's not a huge amount but it adds up quick if you're staying a week. I ended up drying off with my t-shirt for two days before I caved and paid. The worst part is they didn't mention it anywhere on the booking page. Felt like a little scam to squeeze extra cash out of budget travelers. Has anyone else run into hidden fees like that at hostels? What's the weirdest thing you've had to pay extra for?

3 comments

3 Comments

annajenkins1mo ago

I used to think those fees were just part of the deal, but the phrase "felt like a little scam" really hit home for me. I had the same thing happen at a place in Barcelona, they hit me with a 3 euro charge for a locker key that wasn't listed anywhere. That changed my whole view, I started checking the fine print on every booking now. You're right, it's not about the money, it's about the surprise when you're already tired and just want to crash.

samk771mo ago

Got hit with a 15 euro "cleaning fee" at a place in Lisbon once. Fine print said it was for towels they didn't even give me. Handed me a dirty rag at check in and called it a day. Had to argue at the front desk for 20 minutes while my girlfriend waited with our bags in the hall. They eventually dropped it but man, left a bad taste. Now I screenshot the entire booking page before I pay. Got a folder on my phone just for hostel fine print.

the_drew1mo agoTop Commenter

Yeah I totally get what you're saying. I used to be the type that was like "whatever it's just a few bucks" but after getting hit with a random 5 euro charge just for showing up late at a hostel in Prague I got kinda ticked off. It really does feel like they're trying to slip it past you when you're not paying attention. Now I read the whole booking page twice before I click pay, even the stuff in tiny font at the bottom. It's wild how one bad experience can just flip your whole mindset on these places.