We would like to make a report about Hostel Eden in Lahti, Finland, and
specifically about Kari Lehtinen who is currently the caretaker/manager
at this hostel. We arrived at the hostel earlier this week (early August
2004) after booking the accommodation from Australia and were dismayed
to find it an untidy, dirty place with a manager who we felt was
behaving strangely. We did not feel comfortable or safe in this place,
and this was compounded when we witnessed him selling cigarettes to
underage children. We decided to leave and after ascertaining there was
somewhere else to stay in town, attempted to collect our bags, but Mr
Lehtinen both prevented us from leaving and used physical violence
against us. We reported the incident to the police the next day, and
yesterday he was convicted of charges laid by both us and the police
including assault, 'forcing' (forcing us to stay and sign a receipt
against our will) and possession of pepper sprays. We believe that this
hostel is not safe for travellers and would strongly urge travellers to
make other accommodation arrangements. The Lahti Police can provide further details
specifically about Kari Lehtinen who is currently the caretaker/manager
at this hostel. We arrived at the hostel earlier this week (early August
2004) after booking the accommodation from Australia and were dismayed
to find it an untidy, dirty place with a manager who we felt was
behaving strangely. We did not feel comfortable or safe in this place,
and this was compounded when we witnessed him selling cigarettes to
underage children. We decided to leave and after ascertaining there was
somewhere else to stay in town, attempted to collect our bags, but Mr
Lehtinen both prevented us from leaving and used physical violence
against us. We reported the incident to the police the next day, and
yesterday he was convicted of charges laid by both us and the police
including assault, 'forcing' (forcing us to stay and sign a receipt
against our will) and possession of pepper sprays. We believe that this
hostel is not safe for travellers and would strongly urge travellers to
make other accommodation arrangements. The Lahti Police can provide further details
Vastaukset 4
Vanhimmat
sounds really creepy. Sorry you had to experience that, but good thing you reported it to the police. If the hostel is part of a larger association, they might wanna know too... I checked their website and it does look a bit suspicious, like somebody's backyard. :(
I´ll write in english cause I don´t know if you folks understand finnish.
I remember that place from Lahti, how could I forget about it? After living near the hostel and hearing all the stuff about what happened there I don´t think I could.
The were rumours around the Lahti area about all sorts of shit happening there, stuff I can´t repeat here. Illegal stuff.
I don´t have any proof, but if the place is run by the same guy as ten years ago I hope the place gets thoroughly investigated by the police...
I seek that place from Google and look pictures of it. I must say that in Finland we have much better places available.
Lahti is a horrible, agressive white trash city like almost all the cities in Finland. Only Helsinki can be referred as a pleasant, international city. Unfortunately also Helsinki can be quite unpleasant in winter.