Peking International Youth Hostel

There’s a shopping street right outside, and the staff who served me were friendly. Still, I hated the room I was given. It was so hot that I barely slept, and the bathroom was really dirty. I only booked this place to rest and shower before heading to the airport, and ended up wishing I’d slept at the airport instead of spending my money here. The other staff weren’t helpful, either.

The attached cafe restaurant was lovely, though a bit expensive. The hostel is in a historic part of Beijing, within walking distance of popular sights and close to a stop on the great metro system. Staff were helpful and spoke English, and the rooms were clean and bright. Sharing one sink with a whole floor made mornings and nights a little tricky, but it was a minor hassle.

The reception staff spoke little to no English, so be prepared for that. Otherwise, the shared toilets were clean and worked well, and the common rooms were perfectly bearable. It’s also walkable from Nanluoguxiang subway station. The cafeteria makes Italian-style espresso and cappuccino, which was nice after a full day out in Beijing. Good value for the money.

The rooms were quiet and clean, and they give you a lock. It’s ideally located on Nanluoguxiang, about 3 minutes from the MTR. I loved the warm, pleasant atmosphere, with pretty plants and flowers everywhere. The cafe, restaurant and bars are great, especially the pasta and cocktails. There’s also a lovely rooftop with a nice view. Staff were kind and really helpful. Honestly, this is the best hostel I’ve stayed at!