The Sleepy Hippo Hotel

Richard at the desk was really kind and helpful, and I liked the third-floor balcony looking out over the city. I stayed four days in a dorm in December 2018. The room had air conditioning, and the facilities were decent, but I don’t think guests could use a kitchen, and there was no shared common area. Breakfast was just eggs and coffee, very basic. There was also an out-of-order hot tub beside the building that had become a mosquito breeding spot, and I got bitten a lot. It was an okay stay, nothing special. For a similar price in the same neighborhood, I’d choose Somewhere Nice. They have a great breakfast, a small pool, a common area, and a kitchen guests can use. They also don’t have that mosquito-filled hot tub.

I stayed in the dorm and had a great experience. The place is compact but thoughtfully arranged, very clean, and the staff are warm and helpful. It’s affordable and feels like good value for the money.

There’s a lot of character here, from the bamboo rooms and art in each one to a bench made from old crates. It still feels comfortable, and the atmosphere is inspiring. Backpackers especially might like the balcony, swimming area, projector, and complimentary breakfast.

The prices are affordable and it’s a nice place, but the sink leak shows how absent the owners seem. They put a bucket under it, but that didn’t solve anything. Water splashed beyond the bucket, so I got soaked whenever I used the sink.