Backpacker's Island

Evenings here are a lot of fun, especially on weekends, and it has a real home-away-from-home feel. The place is neat, clean, and well maintained. It’s also more spacious than other backpacker hostels I’ve visited in Baner, Pune. Highly recommended.

The calm here is what stayed with me. Even in a major city area, you can hear birds and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere with no traffic around. There are places to eat and go clubbing within about a 10-minute walk, and the location worked really well for me. Getting here from Pune railway station by auto took around 15-30 minutes depending on traffic. The airport and station aren’t far either, and Karan can help you find your way. You can also hire a bike from him if one is available. I called Karan at around 4:00 am to ask about a booking, and he made sure I could get a place to stay early that morning. Some other backpacker places in the city didn’t respond, which made his welcoming attitude stand out. He’s calm and composed, and one of the best hosts I’ve come across. It’s a bungalow with a balcony, terrace, three or four large rooms, a spacious living area, kitchen, laundry, and a garden. There’s room to relax in different corners, and it’s peaceful enough to work too. The ground-floor kitchen has the facilities you need, just remember to share. The vibe also depends on how much you get involved with everyone. The place was very clean, thanks to Bilal, and he’s also a great partner for PUBG players. This is my go-to stay whenever I’m in Pune. I loved the atmosphere and hosting, and the location is hard to beat for the same cost.

There’s a nice veranda where you can hang out and meet people, and the homemade food is good quality. Guests from many nationalities stay here. The dorms and washrooms are tidy, and all the amenities are covered. The management is friendly, with a cozy place and an energetic but laid-back feel. There’s also a separate female dorm.

Even though it’s near the highway, it’s really peaceful. The place is clean, cool, hygienic, and friendly, and breakfast comes with some much-needed chai. My host Karan was especially easygoing when I arrived late, around 2:30-3:00 at night, and didn’t insist on time restrictions. I’ll visit again.