Sunny Palm Hostel

The common room at Palm Hostel is roomy and has what you need to relax or cook, and the beds are comfortable with privacy curtains. It's clean and quiet, and the staff were kind and helpful. The location is handy, with shops and restaurants nearby and the beach a short walk away. Good value for the money, especially for solo travelers or couples on a budget.

The bed was clean and the location is good, but almost everything else was broken. The kitchen was dirty, the atmosphere unpleasant, and the bathroom smelled odd. The entrance looked like something from a horror movie. Alcohol isn't allowed, even though the place looks like a squat, and I'm pretty sure about half the guests live there long term. When I arrived, a confused kid greeted me and didn't know where I was supposed to sleep. The manager showed up at midnight to collect payment. I'm convinced the great Booking reviews come from people being offered a discount for a positive review. Now they make you cancel your reservation in front of them if you want to stay, so they can rip off Booking, and it means I can't leave a review there.

The beach is close by, which is a great location. I stayed for two days at the end of my trip, though, and the room had mosquitoes. I'm still counting the bites. The place wasn't quite what I expected from the Booking reviews.

It's in a residential part of Batumi and very clean. The bus to Turkey stops right outside, and the ride takes about 20 minutes, so it's a great choice for a day trip. I recommend this hostel.