Hostel Aurora in Kuusamo

We stayed here for two nights in a private room with our own bathroom. The room itself was okay at first glance, but overall the experience was very disappointing and I would not recommend this place.

The renovation seems extremely minimal — basically just a layer of paint. That alone didn’t bother me too much, but the real problems started elsewhere.

First of all, this is a shoeless hostel. Guests are required to take off their shoes at the entrance and wear shared Crocs instead. In my opinion, this is very unhygienic and uncomfortable, especially in a place that already feels poorly maintained.

The biggest issue by far was the dust. After the first night I was still fine, but during the second night I started feeling genuinely sick. I’ve experienced similar symptoms before while working on a dusty construction site, so I know what that feels like. This place was extremely dusty and I would strongly advise anyone with asthma, lung issues, or dust sensitivities to avoid it completely.

The building itself feels cold and institutional — almost like a prison. We later found out that it used to be a military border control barracks, and honestly, that atmosphere is still very present. The new barracks are right next door, and the surrounding area is very industrial.

Breakfast was extremely basic and forgettable.

The bed was uncomfortable, especially the pillows, which were very poor quality and made it hard to sleep. The double bed consisted of two separate mattresses that constantly slid apart, which was uncomfortable if you’re staying as a couple. Ventilation was also an issue: the window could only be opened partially, despite being double-paned, so fresh air was very limited.

On the positive side, the shower had good water pressure and always warm water, but the bathroom layout is flawed — water gets everywhere when you shower.

The only truly nice thing about this place is the view of the lake, which is genuinely beautiful - if you picked the right room. Unfortunately, that alone does not make up for the many downsides.

Considering the price, this stay was absolutely not worth it. I would not stay here again and cannot recommend it.

The worst hostel I had stayed despite of nice location. It’s poorly managed and maintained. I got a dirty room while checked in. The owner renovated and painted the entrance without informing us. The shared toilets are very dirty. Pretty disrespectful for guests.