Rahman Hostel - Manchester

I was comfortable during my five nights at Rahman Hostel, and had a positive stay. I was in an 8-bed dorm that was clean and well kept. The two shared bathrooms were roomy and consistently clean too. Staff clearly care about cleanliness, though they can’t fully control guests who don’t respect shared spaces. The location is a big plus: two minutes on foot from the central train station and about five minutes from the city centre and nightlife. No need for public transport to get around. Wi-Fi worked well, there was a comfortable place to eat, and luggage storage was efficient and reliable. It’s aimed more at backpackers on short stays, perhaps a night or two. If you expect hotel-style comfort and luxury, it may not suit you. With the right expectations, it’s good value for flexible travellers who care more about location, cleanliness and practicality than luxury.

The beds were comfy, at least. The whole place stank, there was filth everywhere, and someone vomited on the floor overnight and left it there. There were three showers for everyone and they barely worked. Not one toilet had a seat fitted. I’d only stay if there were no other options.

The communal seating area and little shop by the entrance were handy extras. We booked room 10 for three people after a gig, and it was just right for getting some rest. The bathroom was fairly large and clearly looked after. Check-in was easy, too, just a quick chat at reception to get the key. It felt a bit like staying at someone's house, and while it wasn't fancy, the price was right for central Manchester. I'd happily stay here again next time I'm in town.

At least the bed was clean and I didn't find bed bugs. I was in room 4, bed 6, and the room itself was relatively clean. I left as soon as I woke up. The toilets on my floor were filthy, the shower had left the floor soaking wet, there was no toilet paper, and the seats weren't fixed to the toilets. There were what looked like urine marks on the walls, and the bathrooms smelled awful. Each hallway had its own stink, somewhere between sour laundry and mold. I was also charged for the room again at check-in even though I'd paid through Hostelworld. Getting them to agree to a refund took a lot of arguing and proof, and I still haven't seen the money back in my account. Having stayed there, I feel like that says something about me.