Ostello Bello Mandalay

Ostello Bello has a great atmosphere, with games and interesting books around, plus a terrace to hang out on. The rooms were very clean, and the team helped organize our stay, gave sightseeing advice, and booked a bus and taxi, which made everything run smoothly. Breakfast changed daily. We were lucky to be there on Sunday for the pancakes, which were so good I'd happily have them every morning 😅. The gnocchi was another lovely surprise, properly Italian and delicious. Thanks to the Ostello Bello team for making our stay pleasant and helping us out. I'd strongly recommend it!

The layout and organization feel carefully thought through, as if Ostello Bello was planned by someone with plenty of backpacking experience. Rooms are clean and roomy, with bathrooms attached. Downstairs, the lounge and reception make a good spot to plan activities, borrow a laptop if needed, or have complimentary coffee or tea while talking with other travelers. In the evening, the rooftop is a nice place for a beer or smoothie and a view across the area. Good breakfast and a competitive price round it out. Five stars for the atmosphere and cleanliness too.

It's very social, so meeting other travelers is easy, and the location is nice. Some attractions in Mandalay are far enough apart that I'd still take a Mototaxi. The hostel was super clean and had what I needed as a backpacker, including free clean towels and soap, a decent bed and room facilities, and activities every day. The rooftop was good too. Staff were attentive and could arrange what I needed to carry on with my trip. The food and beer were good, and there were also a few decent places to eat within walking distance.

I didn't stay overnight, but spent part of the day working in the common room. The reception kindly let me sit there for a couple of hours, out of Mandalay's harsh sun. Nice music and a really good atmosphere. For better network coverage, I'd suggest sitting near the windows.