#hostellife

So there is a hostel upstairs and dowsntairs you have a pretty popular cafe. The prices are surprisingly good and especially backpacker friendly. Firstly they do good quality coffee and if you are staying at the hostel your espresso is just 1 Singaporean dollar. The menu is quite decent too It's not just the ones staying here but this spot seems to have regulars with the office going crowd in the vicinity. Certains hours get really busy and lovely towards the evening. The prices as mentioned are competitive and the environment is great . #hostellife#hangout

The afternoon tea set is very delicious. It's not that big as in some other restaurants, but the price is worth it. The food quality is mixed. The snow fish (premium) lamb chop (premium) crab salad, seabass are great. An afternoon tea set with 2 pots of tea for two person is superb. Very nice presentation on a ferris wheel, about 20 selections of bruschetta, scones and sweet. The beef and escargo are so..so. The onion soup is not intense as expected, and a bit too sweet. Thumb ups to the service staff. Overall, when you consider the prices. It does feel a little pricey but even being on budget this was okay for a trip. #hostellife#foodlovers

#hostellife I stayed in a 6 bed female dorm. The staff was great, very welcoming and friendly. The bunk beds are solid and have black out privacy curtains. The mattresses aren't the best though. The whole place is very clean, and the AC worked well. The lockers were big and easily fit my backpack. The ensuite shower had good water pressure and plenty of hot water. The breakfast is buffet style and is good value. The kitchen is big and well equipped. There wasn't much of a lounge area outside of the bar area, but the hostel hosts events every night and the place had a social atmosphere overall. Overall, great place in a great location, I would definitely stay here again!

#hostellife This is the best hostel l've ever been to! The staff are wonderful and the facilities are great. They host pub crawls and dinners everyday, the roof terrace is a great place to meet new people. The beds are super comfy and you can have total privacy, big lockers are provided at the bottom of the beds too! Everything is super clean and the location is great you can walk to the beach, clubs, restaurants and buses/trains are super close.

#hostellife Had a mostly good stay here. Firstly, the location and staff were excellent. Easy to get to everything, and the staff were super helpful and answered any questions I had. The room itself was alright. I had an 8 bed dorm with an ensuite bathroom. The bathroom was small but functional. The beds were decent with curtains and a large locker, although my locker was up against the heater which made it difficult to close properly. One of the big issues with the bed for me was the personal light. It didn't turn off. Its off switch was basically a night light mode, so very dim. But when you're in a pitch black setting, very dim is a lot. There was no way that I could see to turn it completely off which was so annoying. And when it was on, it was brighter than the sun. Another problem for me is the provided blanket is not very long. I'm 6 feet tall and it went from my feet to around my chest. The common areas were good, though the music was a little loud at times, but there was enough seating and the WiFi was great for remote work.

#hostellife Staff is very accommodating and helpful. Rooms and bathrooms are kept clean. (One bathroom per floor, with two toilets and two showers. Hostel has three floors.) Other guests are very cool and happy to socialize. It is in a busy part of downtown, with easy access to bars and restaurants. There is laundry available onsite. I'm happy to stay here, and would recommend it to others. Soooo nice.

#hostellife Address: Silom Soi 3, Bang Rak, Bangkok Atmosphere: Relaxed and friendly, with a homey vibe just steps from Silom’s nightlife and transit. Highlights: Air-conditioned dorms and private rooms, shared kitchen, and a cozy lounge with books, games, and free drinks. Staff are warm and welcoming. Pricing: 5 to 10$ per person Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #budgettravel

#hostellife Address: 12/12 Sukhumvit 33 Road, Khlongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Atmosphere: Clean and quiet with a friendly vibe—ideal for both social hangouts and restful nights in a side-street setting. Highlights: • Comfy, soundproofed beds with curtains, charging ports, and lockers • Cozy common lounge with coffee, snacks, TV, and workspace • Free Wi‑Fi, shared kitchen, laundry, and 24-hour reception • Just a few minutes from BTS Phrom Phong, EmQuartier mall, street food, and Benjasiri Park Pricing for the Dorm: 5 to 10$ per person Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #grouptravel

#hostellife Address: 127 St. 440, Toul Tompong II, Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Atmosphere: Quiet and welcoming, with a calm rooftop lounge above a plant-based café—ideal for vegans, remote workers, and mellow socializing. Highlights: • Cozy dorms and private rooms with air-con and privacy curtains • Fresh vegan menu in a café setting below, open all day • Free Wi‑Fi, lockers, and a relaxing garden terrace • Helpful staff, yoga sessions, and easy access to local tours and markets Pricing: Dorm beds from around $7 USD, private rooms starting near $30 USD Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#hostellife When I first arrived at Bajo Bunkhouse in Labuan Bajo, I was struck by its relaxed, friendly vibe that instantly made me feel at home. The communal spaces are thoughtfully designed with plenty of comfy bean bags scattered around, perfect for lounging and meeting fellow travelers. Whether you’re swapping stories in the cozy lounge or soaking up the views from the rooftop, it’s easy to unwind here. The rooms are simple but comfortable, offering everything you need without any unnecessary frills. What really stood out to me was how the staff went out of their way to create a welcoming atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for solo travelers and groups looking for both convenience and community. 📍Bajo Bunk House

#hostellife#melaka#cats#trip I had a great stay at YOTE 28 in Melaka! This hostel has a truly unique and chic interior design that sets it apart from the usual backpacker spots — stylish, cozy, and full of character. The dorms are clean and comfortable, with shared bathrooms that are super clean, well-maintained and functional. One of the best highlights is its strategic location — just a 3 to 15-minute walk to most major attractions, including Menara Taming Sari, Muzium Samudera, the Melaka River Cruise Jetty(Quayside), Dutch Square, Stadthuys, St. Paul’s Hill & Church, A Famosa Fortress, Jonker Street, and plenty of top-rated local eateries/street food stalls. Another big plus has to be the three adorable cats 🐈🐈⬛ lounging around the common area on the ground floor. They feel like the unofficial ambassadors of the hostel — friendly, calm and a joy to be around. It literally added such a warm and homely vibe to the place. The common area is a great place to relax, meet other travelers, sharing some travel tips and experiences, or just enjoy some downtime with the feline hosts. ⭐ Rating: 5/5. Overall, YOTE 28 is a fantastic choice if you're looking for a stylish yet budget-friendly stay in Melaka, especially if you're a cat lover! 📍28, Jalan Plaza Merdeka, Taman Costa Mahkota, 75000 Melaka.

#hostellife Cats Hostel Madrid Sol offers a fantastic social experience for budget-minded travelers. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and they organize a variety of social events, making it easy to meet fellow travelers. The location is ideal, being centrally located yet situated in a quiet area. The hostel itself offers a relaxed and social atmosphere with plenty of common areas to chill out and chat with other guests. I was particularly impressed with the hostel's cleanliness, with common areas and bathrooms cleaned multiple times a day. I highly recommend Cats Hostel Madrid Sol to anyone looking for a comfortable, social, and centrally located accommodation in Madrid.

Address: 37A Ma May Street, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam Atmosphere: Friendly and lively, perfect for solo travelers wanting to meet others while enjoying quiet rest. Highlights: Comfortable private rooms and dorms, on-site bar and restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and 24-hour reception. Pricing: Affordable options in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#hostellife When I was in Osaka, it was in the weekends. Most rooms were either sold out or extremely pricey, so I got myself a hostel further from the busy parts of the city. Though looking a lil run down aesthetically, but the functionality of the place was intact. Heater in the shower, hairdryer/air conditioning/stove/fridge which backpackers usually value are all available. But one thing to be careful for fellow backpackers is that in places that have a lot of wooden structures do check for bed bugs before lodging. Japanese are usually being known for being careful but no harm to be extra careful. Overall this place had to be the most happening hostel I have ever stayed (of over 100 hostels) in term of interactions between guests. People from all over the world were chatting and exchanging views/advice in the common areas throughout the night. I was working on my laptop while listening to the vigorousness of the scene. I was truly impressed coz it was the true essence of being a backpacker.

#hostellife Address: 172, 30 Street 13, Phnom Penh Atmosphere: Social, modern, with great rooftop views over the riverside. Highlights: • Rooftop bar & ourdoor swiming pool • Super clean dorms (female-only available) • Walking distance to Royal Palace & National Museum Price: ~$6–9 (dorm), ~$20 (private room) Rating: ★★★★ #grouptravel #budgetrip

#hostellife In Western Europe, Paris is undoubtedly the city with the most expensive accommodation—we are not talking about Switzerland here. Many hostels were already sketchy from the pictures, and they weren’t even cheap. So I had a real headache trying to land myself a decent but not overpriced hostel. Then I found this hostel at RM130/night. It was exclusive on trip Oct 2024. It looked very basic, and it indeed was. But complete with functionality: luggage storage stove, fridge, dining area, hairdryer etc, everything backpackers would usually need. And the location was pretty good. Despite not being exactly close to metro station (12min walk away), a bus station was right across the street. If you’re on Navigo weekly pass, bus/metro should not matter, whichever that reaches the destination earlier is great. But one thing to note of the place: it’s four or five storey high, and there’s no elevator. And the staircase was tight plus SPIRAL. Quite physically demanding or even dangerous if you have to carry a 20kg large suitcase up. You may ask reception for help if you’re a lady. It’s also one of the hostels closer to Montparnasse, which is famous for the city skyline viewing.

#hostellife On my way from Prague to Berlin, I passed by Dresden and lodged at this branch of Meininger Hotel. I learnt of this brand when in Brussels and became a fan eversince then. It turned out here in Dresden, the standard was maintained consistently just like in Brussels, from the aesthetics (bold colours) to functionality (large common area, fully equipped kitchen, individual bathroom, comfy clean room). The only thing if I’m to complain was the lack of free luggage storage. HOWEVER, it also made it a lot more affordable than other hostel/hotel that charges for luggage storage; it’s around 3 euros if you book through bounce as a guest.

#hostellife From Paris to Geneva, I decided to drop by Lyon for a night and stayed at this hostel. The common area was huge with beautiful decor. But it’s also an area shared with the restaurant operating in the premise, so it can get crowded during lunch hours. One might move to the second floor, where another common area is available. It’s also where the kitchen (with stove and refrigerator) can be found—but it’s closed from midnight to 6am; if you have to leave the hostel earlier than that, do talk to the reception. The mattress was thick and comfy too, but I’ve to say the metal bars at the entrance of the capsule was inhumane, making it hard to reach in after you climbed up. Reflected it to the reception, not sure if things have changed now.

#hostellife During my trip to Malaga early 2025, I lodged at this hostel, which featured a jungle theme. There were different jungle elements incorporated to the place as little decor. One of the most remarkable features of the hostels was the rooftop, where there’s a wooden hut that really enhanced the Andalusia coastal vibe. It was also where there’s kitchen located. Stove and refrigerator were provided, though I didn’t use them this time. Another thing I appreciated 200% of this place was that they had compiled a list at the stairway which tells us which museums in Malaga is free on which day (and time). For that I was able to visit 5 attractions with zero cost!

#hostellife In Brussels during my stay at Oct 2024, there was one hostel near the train station that’s priced significantly lower than almost every other option, which is Meinger Bruxelles Gare du Midi. It was priced at RM104 while the next cheapest option was around RM150+. So I was sceptical at first. But I decided to give it a try, and it turned out to be far better than the expensive ones. 1) the bed were comfy! Mattress are fluffy and thick. 2) room was spacious with plenty of space to unpack 3) individual shower room for around 6 beds, and it’s exceptionally clean 4) the common areas were complete with functionality: free drinking water, kitchen with stove, refrigerator etc 5) stable prices even as the dates get closer; and free cancellation only comes with a very small additional fee like 1EUR

#hostellife My trip to Europe October 2024 was met with shock when I learnt about the prices of accommodation in Switzerland. It’s usually RM250 and above for even hostel, which freaked me out. Later in my research, in Interlaken—one of the most popular travel destination of Switzerland close to Jungfrau area—I found this incredibly high-value hostel. Few things I liked of this place: 1) fixed price all year long. I was monitoring the price since half a year ago, the price was the same till a month ago; and as the date got closer to a week ahead it only increased for around 10%, which makes trip planning much less anxious 2) free luggage storage. Interlaken is almost at the geographical center of Switzerland, you’re likely to have to pass through Interlaken when travelling from south to north or vice versa. When I traveled to Zermatt, I managed to keep it light by leaving my suitcase here and only brought the essentials over for three days. Most places don’t do this free in Switzerland. This truly added a lot flexibility to trip planning coz many of Zermatt accommodations are on the hill, not too luggage friendly. 3) cheap. While the next cheapest hostel in Interlaken was around RM250, this place was priced at RM171/night. And as usual, I slashed it down further by RM52 cashback through cashback platform. 4) next to many supermarkets, like Lidl, which means low cost for food. But there’s no hot stove nor fridge in the hostel. Only microwave. So be careful not to buy too much at one time 5) beautiful decor in the lobby and restaurant area. It’s antique and elegant. There are plenty of photographic material if you’re into it.

#hostellife Tomar may be small, but the hostel life here is mighty cozy, super social, and seriously affordable. Perfect for solo travelers, backpackers, and anyone chasing Templar vibes without emptying their wallet. 🛌 Most hostels in Tomar are housed in charming old buildings, often right in the historic center — think tiled staircases, sunny courtyards, and views of the Convent of Christ. 🧑🤝🧑 Hostels here are community-driven, meaning shared kitchens, friendly vibes, and great chances to meet other travelers — or even join in on a spontaneous group dinner. 🍳 Save money by cooking your own meals. Tomar has a few small supermarkets and bakeries where you can grab fresh produce, bread, and snacks for cheap. Hostel kitchens are usually well-stocked with basics. 🕰️ Check for free walking tours or local tips on the hostel bulletin boards — many owners are locals who love sharing insider secrets, including free things to do and affordable day trips. 📚 Bring a book or swap one in a hostel exchange shelf. After a day of exploring the Convent of Christ and the riverside, there’s nothing better than chilling with a book on the terrace. 🧺 Do your laundry on-site if you’ve been on the road for a while. Most hostels offer laundry for a couple of euros, which beats overpacking or searching for laundromats. 🗣️ Learn a few Portuguese phrases — it goes a long way with locals, and you might impress your hostel crew! 🎨 Join a craft night or local jam session — some hostels host casual music or art evenings, especially in summer. They’re free, creative, and a great way to connect.

#hostellife Nyon hostel is located in Nyon (instead of Geneva), but which is only located less than an hour away. And it’s a place that one would pass by if they are to travel to the east to Interlaken/Zurich etc anyway. The biggest advantage of doing so was it’s cheaper yet better. I got a night here at RM197 (minus extra RM58 cashback), which is a rate that no hostel in Geneva can match. And the facilities here blew my mind away. First, there’s a free coin locker for luggage storage (many don’t have free luggage storage service in Geneva); second, there’s free breakfast and free flow coffee (in the morning) included in the room rate; third, the bathroom was ridiculously clean and well-equipped (the standing hairdryer was one of a kind lol); fourth, kitchen and refrigerator (though the area is close from midnight to 6am).

#hostellife This is my first ever hostel I’ve stayed at and as someone who likes the finer things I was scared 😂 but this hostel was actually really enjoyable. We did get a private room which I recommend if you’re a bit introverted like me. It was clean, the futon was comfortable and the bathroom served a purpose but wasn’t enjoyable having a wet floor for the rest of the trip. The staff are very friendly and have a heap of recommendations and love hearing about your trips (shout out to the young Japanese girl I never got the name off, your energy made our mornings) but all in all this was actually a great place for the price.

#hostellife Many think that staying in hostel reduces traveling experience, only in exchange for a lower traveling cost. I thought so too, until I stayed at this hostel, which to me exceeded many of my stays at proper hotels. 📍YUST Antwerp 💰Cost: RM135/night : Spacious and cozy common areas, with unlimited high-quality tea and coffee—so inviting that I often preferred hanging out there over sightseeing! : Clean, comfortable beds that made for a great night’s sleep. : Free luggage storage – a rarity these days, as many European accommodations now charge for it. : Fully equipped kitchen – oven, microwave, fridge, stove… perfect for solo or budget-conscious travelers. : Towels provided, even for dorm guests (usually not the case in European hostels), plus huge lockers with built-in charging ports. : Just a 2-minute walk from the nearest tram stop—super convenient. I have to say I’ve turned a fan for this brand, but there are currently only two YUST locations so far (both in Belgium). Genuinely looking forward to more branches of YUST across Europe

#hostellife Berlin was one of the most iconic city of Germany to visit. And the cost of accommodation was not too high either during my stay in Nov 2024. By booking three months in advance, I managed to secure three nights here at RM89/night. And the facilities turned out to be matching the expectation. Room was spacious (but almost each room is different in layout, some of them were really interesting and modern, while some being old school), with plenty of space to not only unpack my 28”luggage but to put many of other belongings of mine. Beds were clean and comfy soft. From lobby to rooms, each space has high ceiling and comes with long windows that light the room up with nice natural light, which makes quite good photographic frames. The main shortcoming of this place was that it doesn’t have a stove or kitchen. As for refrigerator, it’s not in public; if you need to store anything in fridge, you can go to the reception and they would help you do that.

#hostellife October 2024 I visited Budapest for three days, and lodged at this hostel with ultra high price-performance ratio. Somehow I managed to get it at the price of RM49/night—with RM26 cashback, it’s as low as RM23/night in Europe, which was record-breaking for me. And it was complete package during my stay. There was a kitchen with stove and refrigerator; the bed was clean, comfy and well air conditioned. One feature I really appreciated was that they helped me receive and keep the Budapest Card I ordered for a few months (coz I ordered it quite early) and they didn’t forget or lose it at all. Another feature of the place that I loved was that right in front of the main door was a bus stop where many important bus routes pass, which makes this place ultra convenient to stay at. 📍Netizen Budapest Centre

#hostellife This was a “new” hostel in a way that it didn’t do dormitory styled room but only hotel rooms. But now it takes one of the rooms and fit in some hostel bunkbeds. With that, the facilities are bound to be classic looking. The lobby, dining restaurant and common areas were beautifully decorated in the local elements. Service was warm too, even tho I checked in after 12am, and they kept helping to refill my water seeing me thirsty after a long trip from Berlin. I managed to snatch a bed at around RM74/night, with an additional RM30 cashback rebate. What a steal! But one thing to note for fellow backpackers is that to any hotel/hostels with carpet, do not unpack luggages on the floor to minimize the risk of bed bug infection. Coz anyone could bring bed bugs to the premises, but carpet that’s built into the room would be difficult to sterilise. So keep luggages high up and locked 📍Address: Hotel Kolegiacki Plac Kolegiacki 5, Stare Miasto District, Poznań

#hostellife Address: 486/149-150 Soi Phetchaburi 16, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 Atmosphere: Modern and social with an industrial-chic design. A great base for backpackers who love city vibes, clean comfort, and meeting new people. Highlights: Steps from Ratchathewi BTS, stylish dorms with privacy curtains, friendly staff, free WiFi, and a lively common area with bar and games. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#hostellife Address: 925/9 Rama 1 Road, Wang Mai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Atmosphere: Trendy and energetic, right in the heart of Siam. A favorite for solo travelers who love social vibes, city views, and easy access to Bangkok’s shopping and street food scene. Highlights: Directly opposite National Stadium BTS, with modern dorms, cool common areas, a cinema room, and friendly staff always ready to help, breakfast is included. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️