Mingle Highstreet

I really enjoyed the food and coffee. They were simple but good, just right before heading out to explore KL. The staff also organize activities guests can join, and it was fun and relaxing to meet backpackers from different countries. I felt safe there, and the hostel has a lovely atmosphere. Mingle Highstreet Hostel in Kuala Lumpur is in a great spot, with lots of places easy to reach on foot. It’s a comfortable, friendly place in the heart of the city, especially for solo travelers and backpackers who want a relaxed stay and a chance to meet people. I’d definitely recommend it.

The daily events made it easy to meet other travelers, and the staff were super friendly. The rooms and facilities were clean and comfortable too. I had a great stay, and the hostel works well for both short and longer visits. As a digital nomad, I really appreciated the roomy co-working area. It has proper desks, comfortable chairs, and a quiet atmosphere where it’s easy to focus. Having it all right in the hostel saves time and makes for a good balance between working remotely and traveling. A great mix of productivity and fun, highly recommend!

We left feeling unwelcome, disrespected, and treated as second-class guests. The staff were warm and smiling with Western backpackers, while we, as travelers from South and Southeast Asia, faced suspicion and coldness. They even questioned us for getting water in the lobby and asked whether we stayed there. It felt like Western guests could do whatever they wanted, while we had to walk on eggshells. The problem started on our first day when the door lock was broken. Staff told us to go into the room while they worked on it from outside. When my friend needed the bathroom, someone shouted, "STOP opening the door!" We felt disrespected from the first hour. The private room was a big disappointment too. The photos were highly misleading and looked nothing like the room we got, an attic with cracked walls and a dirty carpet. The location is okay, about a 4 min walk to Masjid Jamek station and Chayas South Indian restaurant. The bed and blankets were cozy, the backpacker vibe and rustic cafe ambiance were nice, and the wifi was fast. But the house rules were a joke: the hostel asks for quiet after 10 PM, while a club across the street blasts music until 3 AM. Checkout was stressful too. Signs directed us to a different street, but a drop-box said to just leave the key cards.

We spent a peaceful morning having coffee by the pool, and the room was comfortable throughout our stay. The pool view was lovely, and everything felt like great value for the price. There was some noise from guests around 4am, but it seemed to be dealt with quickly and quieted down soon after. That can happen in a hostel, especially with people heading out early for work. I’d stayed at Mingle Hostel in Chinatown several times and thought its character would be hard to beat. Then my girlfriend and I tried the Highstreet location. We loved the design, layout, and little details, and the staff were so friendly and helpful. Sara Vanan deserves a shoutout. He recommended this place months ago when I was at another Mingle location, and he’s been a great friend and guide on my Kuala Lumpur trips. We’re already looking forward to coming back.