The room was untidy and unmade. Dust everywhere, two of four beds unmade (bed sheets and blankets needed to be prepared by ourselves), one of two toilets still had paper floating that didn't easily flush, the shower handle was limed up. The bunk bed was creaky as hell, as were the doors. One of the windows was missing its handle and couldn't be opened.
We arrived late after a long day’s journey and were too tired to complain on the spot.
Breakfast didn't improve things. A huge TV screen showed violent (16+ rated) TV shows that might have been suited for last night’s bar audience. An incessant beeping noise sounded through the buffet room. Two employees were notified (it was hard enogh to find anybody): the first one went through the room and disappeared, the other one told me that there is a problem which they cannot fix. My neurodivergent child suffered and couldn't go on eating. Long minutes later, both employees finally took a look at the actual problem and stopped the beeping. They had no additional tools or anything. The sound was torturous.
Checkout was meant to be “quick” by simply dropping the key cards into “the box” – at least that‘s what it said on the key card. The reality was a.long queue in front of the reception and no box.
Now we're out, and I won't be stepping into any A&O hostels for a long time. A&O has hitherto been a name for decent lodgings to me. It no longer is. I’m happy it was only for one night.