Kaabo Hostel

The rooms are comfortable and clean, and the location is good, but the service felt odd. I’m not sure whether the issue was that they didn’t speak English well or that my accent was hard to understand. This came up when I tried to get into the room at check-in time and when I asked about transportation. The guy at the corner store was much more helpful. Whatever.

If zero stars were an option, that’s what I’d give. I booked Kaboo Hostel for four nights, but left after the first one because I was so disappointed. There was no refund. The place felt dull, neglected, and lifeless. I know it may have been off season, but backpacker hostels are supposed to have some vibe, and they should at least try to keep that spirit going. Cleanliness was awful and maintenance poor. The food was bland, cold, and forgettable, and it all gave the impression that nobody cared anymore. Save your money and find somewhere that lives up to the idea of a Goan hostel.

The café made an already disappointing stay worse. We ordered food, waited 30 minutes, then were casually told there was no gas to cook. Later we asked for beer and were given two options, only to wait another 30 minutes before hearing that both were out of stock. The planning and service were incredibly frustrating. The property in Vagator has space, a good location, and looks beautiful in pictures, but it’s terribly managed. The rooms were dirty and unkempt, the washrooms smelled and were unhygienic, and the linens looked like they hadn’t been washed in ages. Cleanliness and maintenance should be basic, yet it felt like nobody was paying attention. The reality was shocking for a place advertised so well online. We checked out immediately because staying longer was unbearable. It could have been a gem, but instead it was a nightmare: beautiful property, dirty rooms, unhygienic washrooms, promises that weren’t kept, and service that was practically nonexistent. I’d strongly advise people to think twice because it’s nothing like the pictures online.

The photos made the place look decent, but the three rooms we were shown at check-in were all awful: musty, moldy, and dingy. In such a busy area, I couldn't believe the hostel had been left in such poor shape, with so little basic upkeep. We didn't stay the night. We went elsewhere and paid a bit more for a hotel that was the complete opposite. Manager, you know what I'm talking about.