 |
||||||
The
writers of the "Hostels USA" guidebook have always been very
accurate when describing a hostel. I've always been amazed how
accurate even their most detailed descriptions were of the many
hostels that I've visited. However, their description of this
hostel is an exception. Maybe it changed owners or something.One
reason I chose this hostel was because it was supposed to be well
managed, and "under control". Well, that was not the
case. I won't bother complaining too much.I'll just
say that this is the only hostel where I've ever had anything
stolen. I momentarily left my duffle bag in the back
hallway. When I came back, it was gone. One of the
"residents" (not a hosteller, but one of the locals who appeared to
be living there temporarily), told me that my duffle bag was
probably stolen by a homeless person--he said that often happens.Another
thing that bothered me about the place was that about 9 pm the
manager signed in a gentleman who was not a hosteller, and who was
obviously drunk. Then she locked the office door and told me
she was going home for the night! Well, that was a first in my
hostelling experience!This
hostel had the worst security of any that I'd ever
encountered. I would have packed up and left--but it was
late. That's another good reason why one should stop traveling
earlier in the afternoon--so you can check a place out before it's
too late and you end up having no alternative choices. 
The
Hostels USA Guidebook comments, "...the owners of the hostel are
antique collectors, and their aptitude for it shines through in each
of the individually decorated bedrooms..." You could
tell that the place had been well maintained in the past.It just
didn't make sense that such a beautiful hostel would be so poorly
managed.
5 AM Back
on the road. I-70 to Rt. 139 north to Rangely, CO. Then
Rt. 64 to Dinosaur. CO, and US-40 toward Salt Lake City, UT.When I
arrived at the Hotel Melrose Hostel, I couldn't get in. I
knocked on the doors, knocked on the windows. No one
answered. I drove to a restaurant and used their phone to call
the hostel. No answer. It was getting late, and I didn't
want to have to find someplace else to stay, so I went back and
tried again. Again, no answer.Finally,
a hosteller came by with a key and opened the door. The
manager was nowhere to be found--until later. 