Babu Backpackers Inn - Hostel

There was maintenance happening in the bathrooms while I was staying, and I could see that it improved things. The hostel has a relaxed feel, comfortable beds, and a spot out front to chill. The water dispenser was great, and the free coffee was nice too.

I wouldn't recommend this hostel, especially to solo travelers. Budget prices shouldn't mean basic cleanliness and facilities are neglected. The rooms, restrooms, and air conditioners weren't working well, and the place felt unclean overall, especially the restrooms.

The room was ₱1,000 with air conditioning, but it had no private bathroom. It was very small for two people, and mosquitoes in the room made it uncomfortable. There were no free toiletries, and towels were only provided if you paid a ₱100 deposit. The shared bathroom wasn't clean and had no hot and cold shower. For the same price, other places offer better rooms, private bathrooms, and sometimes free breakfast, so I'd suggest checking around before booking. The price is cheap, but other hotels and hostels are much better value. I can't recommend this place. It's the least appealing option.

The pool was supposed to be refreshing, but it looked dirty and oily, sat right beside the road, and had broken tiles. I didn't see any living creature go in. Inside the room, the curtains were so see-through that someone on the bench could get a free show, and the hard bed seemed to be made from mismatched pieces of wood. At least the sheets were clean. The air conditioning worked, but it was so loud it felt like sleeping next to a diesel generator. Cold air escaped through cracks between the windows and ceiling, so staying cool and dry was out of reach. There was no hot water. The WiFi had a name, but no signal. The ceiling had mould, and we found a huge cockroach and a colony of ants. Noise was constant, even at night. One wall faced a busy road and another a backyard, so there were loud exhaust pipes from motorbikes with their mufflers removed, tricycle horns, and a rooster crowing from 1:30 AM. Light sleepers, beware, we couldn't even get 30 quiet minutes. We booked a private room and only stayed because there was nothing else available. It had a bed, sink, and toilet, but the photos didn't show what it was really like. Comparing the pictures with the room, it seemed like they hadn't cleaned the place since it was established. Spare yourself and don't book.