House of Lion Hostel and Guesthouse

I had a good one-night stay, and the staff were friendly and nice. The private room was affordable, with shampoo and shower gel provided. The bathroom wall and toilet bowl could have been cleaner, and the bathroom light had a problem. There was also a constant flickering, printer-like sound in my room.

The staff were nice, and the hostel was decent, though cleanliness could be better. It’s a little isolated, with a short stretch along a small side road to reach it, but that’s not much of an issue if you have a bike. The bathroom light was broken and kept switching on and off.

It’s a five-minute walk from the beach, with a great Thai restaurant just around the corner. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxed, and there are five cute kittens. You can hang out with the staff or stay in and have a couple of beers with other guests. There’s a kitchen for cooking and a water cooler with free hot and cold water. The rooms are great, with air conditioning, curtains, and towels provided. I’d definitely recommend staying here!

I’ve stayed here three times, and I’m sure I’ll be back. It’s a small place run by the owner, with a welcoming feel and a real glimpse of life on the island. Mantra and the volunteers run this and house of wolves, and guests are added to a WhatsApp group where the two hostels often have activities together. Kittens everywhere, too. The beds are clean and comfortable, with curtains, modern air conditioning, and free towels. Showers have good pressure, and they can arrange tours and laundry. I’m not sure what some people expect when they book here, but this place has a soul, unlike the big bunker hostels.