Go Slow Guesthouse

I’d heard from other locals on the island that people keep their distance from the family who run this place because they’re not nice. After my stay, I can see why people were concerned. This went well beyond bad service and left me feeling unsafe. I got back in the evening and a woman started yelling at me. The receptionist had told her I’d had surgery, been horrible to him, and demanded the bed, none of which was true. I’d only said several times that I was uncomfortable being assigned a bed someone else seemed to be using. The female manager arrived prepared to refund me and put me out on the street at 10pm. She’d been given more lies by the receptionist, who was trying to save face. Once she heard what happened, she turned to him and scolded him in front of me for several things he’d done wrong. Then she told me it was all my fault because I’d been too nice. That’s exactly what she said. She took no responsibility, saying what goes on in the dorms wasn’t their concern, and offered no solution. I had to choose between going back to a dorm with a woman insulting and threatening me or going out alone in the middle of the night. Check-in was supposed to be from 3pm and only until 5pm, but there was nobody in the office at 3, even though I’d provided my arrival time in advance. After I waited and called, a man came over. He couldn’t find my booking in the system or tell me the price. He took me to the dorm, stripped a bed that looked occupied, and said it was mine. I warned him that it seemed to belong to someone else and could cause trouble. He said he’d handle it, explaining one girl had checked out and the other might extend but hadn’t paid or confirmed. From arriving to finally getting checked in took exactly 90 minutes, in 35-degree heat with no AC and no water offered. Nobody explained the facilities, and I wasn’t given the dorm door code. Later, the receptionist complained I hadn’t given him time to provide it. Apparently 90 minutes wasn’t enough for the Go Slow people.

It’s a great spot on the island, and the price is very reasonable for what you get. Go slow is a very laid-back, basic hostel. They clean the rooms twice a day, but the beds have no curtains and there’s no free drinking water. Bikes are available to rent, pretty cheaply compared with other places on the island.

The hot showers and location were the only things I liked. The Wi-Fi barely worked, and there weren’t enough toilets. I wouldn’t recommend Go Slow Guesthouse, even if there aren’t many hostel options on the island. After sleeping in my bed, I found bed bug bites. Staff denied there was a problem and wouldn’t help when I reported it. I only asked to change beds and get help with laundry, but they told me to check out. The manager spent an hour gaslighting me before they reluctantly let me stay, still refusing to help with my laundry. They wouldn’t even replace my rented towel after the incident. The staff were rude, unhelpful, and seemed indifferent to guests. Cleaners move your belongings every day, so things can go missing. One time I came back and found my shirt soaking wet after they’d cleaned.

A quiet place at night, and I liked it a lot. Everything was clean, the bathroom was decent, and I could sleep well. It’s not a party hostel if that’s what you’re after. Reception isn’t open around the clock, so plan for that if you’ll arrive very late or super early.