A&O Dresden Hauptbahnhof

Disappointing

Passable

Exceptional

Good

Bad

Disliked: Title:Loyal customer blacklisted from entire a&o chain by one manager's abuse of powerReview:I’ve been staying at a&o hostels almost every week for nearly two years. Until now, I’ve had mostly positive experiences. But today, at a&o Dresden, I experienced something I never expected from a company I’ve trusted for so long.I went to the reception and asked for the key to the guest kitchen. Marta, who introduced herself as the reception manager, told me I could only get the key if I handed over my passport, ID, or driver’s license to be held at the desk. I politely refused and offered alternatives like a cash deposit or simply providing my room number — things other a&o staff have accepted many times before.She refused and told me directly:“Then I’m not giving you the key unless you give me your passport.”I said, “You cannot, by law, ask me that.”She answered, “It’s in the hostel rules, you can read them yourself.”I replied, “You are not allowed to keep my passport. You don’t have that authority.”She insisted, “It’s in our rules,” and denied giving me the key.Later, I checked the kitchen myself and found the door was already open. I used it, then returned to reception and, very politely, informed her that the kitchen had been open and I had used it. I just wanted to let them know the door was open so they could take care of it if necessary.Her reaction? She accused me of violating the rules and said she had to blacklist me from all a&o hostels.I reminded her that I had read the official a&o terms, and nowhere does it mention a mandatory passport deposit. She changed her explanation and said:“It says ‘deposit’, and deposit means passport or ID.”I replied: “Since when?”She just said, “Always.”I responded: “I never took any key, so there was no reason for a deposit. I simply used an open kitchen and informed you.”Her final words: “The key is the kitchen.

Good

Liked: Walking distance from the city, price quality
Disliked: Noorse from the trainstation

Bad

Disliked: Title:Loyal customer blacklisted from entire a&o chain by one manager's abuse of powerReview:I’ve been staying at a&o hostels almost every week for nearly two years. Until now, I’ve had mostly positive experiences. But today, at a&o Dresden, I experienced something I never expected from a company I’ve trusted for so long.I went to the reception and asked for the key to the guest kitchen. Marta, who introduced herself as the reception manager, told me I could only get the key if I handed over my passport, ID, or driver’s license to be held at the desk. I politely refused and offered alternatives like a cash deposit or simply providing my room number — things other a&o staff have accepted many times before.She refused and told me directly:“Then I’m not giving you the key unless you give me your passport.”I said, “You cannot, by law, ask me that.”She answered, “It’s in the hostel rules, you can read them yourself.”I replied, “You are not allowed to keep my passport. You don’t have that authority.”She insisted, “It’s in our rules,” and denied giving me the key.Later, I checked the kitchen myself and found the door was already open. I used it, then returned to reception and, very politely, informed her that the kitchen had been open and I had used it. I just wanted to let them know the door was open so they could take care of it if necessary.Her reaction? She accused me of violating the rules and said she had to blacklist me from all a&o hostels.I reminded her that I had read the official a&o terms, and nowhere does it mention a mandatory passport deposit. She changed her explanation and said:“It says ‘deposit’, and deposit means passport or ID.”I replied: “Since when?”She just said, “Always.”I responded: “I never took any key, so there was no reason for a deposit. I simply used an open kitchen and informed you.”Her final words: “The key is the kitchen.

Nice option to stay near...

Liked: Great location, friendly staff, Nice breakfast.
Disliked: Entrance with stroller was bit complicated.

Good location vs price and...

Disliked: Loud guys outside, in the carpark. Just a tiny kitchen for guests' use.