Hi Backpackers (Hong Kong Hostel Group)

The location was a real plus, and it was one of the few semi-affordable hostels we could find when booking. We also liked having a balcony and laundry facilities. But we booked what was listed on booking.com as a 10-bed mixed dorm, and the room we got looked more like at least 14 beds. Getting checked in was a mess. There were no instructions beforehand, so we followed the booking.com address to a building, went up to floor 17, then found a sign sending us down to floor 11. Check-in was at a desk inside someone’s apartment, where we were told our accommodation was actually in another building about a five-minute walk away. The woman who checked us in was lovely, but the whole confusing process added stress to an already difficult day. The showers smelled so awful we were gagging. They were dirty and covered in hair even after the cleaners had left. I also didn’t like that the social space was inside the dorm room.

The location and price were both good, and the WiFi worked well. You can use the fridge, too. But the room and bathroom were pretty dirty. They’re only cleaned once a day, and with people walking around in shoes and six people showering, it doesn’t stay clean for long. Reception is in a different building, and there’s no lobby or common room. Some lockers were broken, and towels weren’t provided. It might feel a little scary if you’re not used to hostels. I’ve stayed in worse places, but this one wasn’t particularly good.

I got lucky with the room, from what I’ve read about this place having rooms in different buildings and guests being taken somewhere else after checking in at the office. Mine worked out really well. There was plenty of space, four bathrooms for ten people, and filtered drinking water in the room. The bed was comfortable, with curtains and lights inside, and the lockers were big. It was also clean and quiet, and the WiFi was strong. Had a really good stay and would definitely come back.

The staff were friendly and helpful. They gave me a cold bottle of water and a towel, and one of them walked me over to the building where I’d be staying and explained how to get around. The check-in building itself was hard to find, though, and the rooms are spread across different parts of HK. My bunk was just a wooden board with a blanket over it, no mattress at all. It was bizarre. The other photos, and the rooms I saw during check-in, looked much better, so maybe I just got unlucky with that bed. Still, I paid 300HKD for it, and the street was the same one where people were sleeping for free.