It all depends on the hospital. The first one I was in was an acute ward, apparently one of the nicer ones. I had my own room with my own bathroom. I was allowed my phone, but you couldn't have cables longer than 30cm (although that didn't stop me). I was told by other patients that you weren't meant to have deodorant, but I did, and it was in plain sight and no one did anything. You could bring other electronics, but you may have had to use them in the common area. The experience wasn't great though; you have little privacy. Nurses would walk in when you were in the bathroom, for example (there were no doors, nothing movable apart from the main door, the mattress, a rather heavy chair, and the lower part of the toilet seat).
The patients were nice enough; it was the staff that was the issue. Most just didn't care or didn't follow instructions that were on your record. Overall, that ward was a negative experience for me due to my conditions, but it could really help a lot of people. You also need to keep in mind that you have observations, which range from "are you safe" once to four times hourly to 1:1 where someone knows what you are doing 24/7 to 1 or many to 1 within arm's reach (imagine being on 4:1) and using the bathroom, although that extreme level is rare.
It is worth noting, from my experience anyway, that there are three types of patients on acute wards: those who are not of sound mind, schizophrenics; those that are psychotic or have cognitive issues; and those with depressive disorders. Finally, there are those who are of sound mind but suffer from various conditions (such as anxiety). Depending on the severity, some in the first category are not capable of interacting with you, although it can be fun to watch them or listen to the incredible delusions they have. The second and third groups, however, are generally normal people; you can interact with them and make friends.
As for boredom, there were some activities, but not many. For me at least, I was always either zoned out (a coping strategy of mine), engaging in OCD compulsions, having extended panic moments, or depressed to the point I wanted to cut myself. I was on edge most of the time, so I never had the opportunity to be bored. There were TVs though, a collection of DVDs, games (with almost all the pieces missing), and artsy stuff to do.
As for the medication, it depends on how you got there and your capacity. In my country at least, if you are there on your own free will, they cannot force any treatment on you. If you are forcibly there for an assessment, it's the same. If, however, you are there forcibly for treatment and if your objections to the medication are not valid or you lack awareness, then they can and will force treatment. It is worth noting that they can still intervene and force things on you regardless of how you got there; for example, if you ODed on something, you can also easily be moved from one category to another.
But honestly, if you have the opportunity to go to a "nice" ward under your own free will, then go; you have the right to self-discharge at any time.
The second ward I was in wasn't an acute ward; there you didn't have the first category of patients. You did have a fourth category though: the addicts. This ward was better and worse; you didn't have the clinical nature. It sort of felt more like a hotel; it wasn't an environment where you could relax with respect to your condition. It was noisy, with no activities; you were just in your room or in therapy sessions. The food was decent though, and you actually had real plates with metal cutlery that you could take to your room. There were little restrictions and more privacy. I had a TV in my room and took electronics (that could easily be used for a fatal electrocution). I even asked for some scissors on one occasion, forgot to give them back, had them in my room for like two weeks, during which I stated I was going to kill myself and attempted to leave the hospital, and they never increased my observation level, introduced restrictions, or even checked my room, which was quite funny. But still, for me, it wasn't a positive experience, but that is due to my conditions. If you have the opportunity to go to a treatment hospital, definitely go.
But I've been lucky; other acute wards, especially in other countries, aren't great. But still, if you do end up there, make the most of it; you'll be there for your own good, that is if the so-called "professionals" are competent, which is sadly not always the case.
some have more rules than others which makes it worse!
