Morpurgova Poljana 2, Split, Croatia
Great location in the heart of the old town
Unique interior architecture
Some private rooms with bathrooms
Restaurant and bar with outdoor patio
Small movie theater
Free Wi-Fi
Expensive for what it is
Needs painting and other updates
Rowdy late-night guests
Shared dorms have austere bunk-style beds
Some private rooms are tiny
Fee for self-parking
The Golly&Bossy Design Hostel is near the tourist sights in the old city center (it's stumbling distance to Diocletian's Palace). But the dramatic interior, well-regarded for its bold design, is due for a paint job, and the whole property would benefit from some updating. The hostel's shared rooms are cheap, but the enclosed bunks can be claustrophobic, and noise from other guests can be a problem even in the private rooms. The bar and restaurant have only mediocre food, but the hostel is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and bars on narrow pedestrian streets that lead away from its nice outdoor patio. Golly&Bossy caters to young tourists looking to save a few bucks in the heart of town, but it's possible to find better, and more private, lodging for only slightly more among the city's rapidly growing hotel scene.
Scene
Bold but bare interiors washed in neon yellow
Originally a 19th-century warehouse that was most recently a department store, the interior of the Golly&Bossy Design Hostel was radically transformed in 2010. The minimalist neon-yellow interiors may be cool and futuristic to some but a nauseating dystopian nightmare to others. There is no lobby as such, but the glossy black bar that doubles as a front desk is in the restaurant.
Location
In the heart of town
The hostel is located on an old square in the city center, surrounded by cafes and boutiques, nearby all the town's main attractions. Split is one of the largest cities on the eastern Adriatic Coast, with a major harbor and a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site whose roots date back to at least the sixth century B.C. Diocletian's Palace and Mausoleum, the Grgur Ninski Statue and natural coves that form several great beaches, make it a popular tourist destination with a rapidly developing hotel and restaurant scene. Split Airport is outside the city proper, about a 30-minute drive from the hostel.
Rooms
Shared or private rooms with minimal amenities
Simple spaces with clean, sharp angles define the rooms here, and apart from the minimalist design concept itself, there's no art or decorative elements. Shared dormitory rooms are designed like bedrooms on a futuristic submarine, cramped with small bunks cut into the walls with white privacy curtains. They have private storage lockers and tiny shared bathrooms and walk-in shower stalls. Ship Cabins are identical to the shared dorms, but are private, designed for small groups. For slightly more conventional lodging, private Double Rooms have a regular bed and flat-screen TV, but they're tiny with barely enough room to set down two suitcases. The bathrooms are equally tiny, with walk-in showers. Suites on the top floor have more dynamic floor plans with room to spread out, even in the bathrooms, which are equipped with rainfall showers. All rooms are air-conditioned, with linens and pillows provided.
Features
Restaurant and bar, outdoor patio, tiny rooftop balcony
Most of the Golly&Bossy Design Hostel's features are crammed into one common space that houses the restaurant, bar, and front desk. The restaurant serves some local Croatian delicacies like black cuttlefish risotto, but not all the food is as fresh as advertised. Guests can dine or drink out on the outdoor patio, with covered seating in the center of an old stone-lined square. A tiny rooftop balcony is too small for tables, but it has great views of the city and its terracotta rooftops. There's also a small movie room that can be rented out for meetings or presentations.