The White Elephant Accommodation - Hostel

I found the staff helpful, and there were pots, plates, and utensils available, though you need to bring the rest. Parking is on site. The place felt two-star in its upkeep and cleanliness, especially given how much traffic it gets. I should've chosen an Airbnb. The main issue was my cabin's position and layout. Of the six cabins in this price tier, five ensuite units are at the back, while I was put in the only non-ensuite cabin at the front, connected to the public bathrooms. I had booked expecting an ensuite because Agoda used that image to sell it. For three weeks I shared a toilet seat with perhaps 40 people. The cabin also sat beside the dining area, laundry, kitchen, and garbage and recycling. People kept crossing my porch. Showers and toilets were audible, along with laundry tumbling, cars arriving, pressure washing of water gear, cooking, music and yelling, and late-night recycling. There could be four hours of dinner activity until 11, then talking and phone calls after midnight, sometimes just outside my window. The creaky wooden floor brought stomping sounds most days, and slamming cabin doors shook the place at 6am, 8pm, 2pm, and midnight, at unpredictable intervals, every night. On sunny days around 25 degrees, there was no ventilation. I had to choose between the stifling heat and leaving the windows and doors wide open, which meant losing privacy and getting kitchen fumes right across the doorway. It felt like living above a gas station washroom at a busy intersection. The private accommodation setup was ridiculous. If I wanted to be exhausted from lack of sleep, I didn't need to come all this way.

The grounds are lovely and park-like, and the service was friendly and helpful. The rooms were okay, though the beds felt a bit hard and the place could use a more thorough clean. It was hard to find staff when I needed help. Town is a bit of a walk, but an easy one. Still, a lovely stay, thanks.

The location was handy, close to stores, and I liked the building, lounge, big kitchen with plenty of cutlery, and the clean environment. There were lots of toilets and showers, and Lorin was nice. The four fridges were usually packed, though, so finding space for food was tricky, especially for short-term guests. I would have given it four stars because things were generally good, until what happened on my last night. The man working in the office while Lorin was away asked where I was from. I said Taiwan, but he insisted a couple of times that it was China. He said, “The only reason you’re not is because of the USA, do you know the USA?, is because of the USA doesn’t want you to be.” Then he asked if I knew what the USA was. When he asked whether there was a more complicated reason, I tried to explain, but he didn't want to listen. He just walked away saying, “ok I still doubt that.” It was very rude. It's a shame this guy is there to spoil the place. It could have been better.

The big, lovely garden and spacious kitchen made the white elephant feel like a home away from home. The staff were super helpful, too. After four years of traveling, it's one of the best hostels I've stayed in. I loved my stay!