BunkSurfing Hostel

It was my second stay at Bunksurfing, in a different location, but it still felt just as homey. Salah and his brothers run the hostel and make sure you have a good stay in Bethlehem. The kitchen is fully equipped, I slept really well in the bed, and the rooftop view is magnificent. They’re refurbishing the rooftop now, and I’m really looking forward to coming back next year to see the changes.

Salah was a fantastic host, and the place is really close to the sheruts. Talking with him about the ongoing situation, and hearing how much he knows, was a highlight of our trip. It was a lovely stay, and we’d definitely go again.

Salah, the owner, is a friendly and very helpful host. He also knows Palestine inside out and is a passionate guide. Book a day tour with him. Great hostel.

I’ve stayed in about 90 hostels around the world, and this one was at the bottom of my list. Solo women and anyone staying over Christmas should be aware of what happened to me. They overbooked Christmas Eve, acted like it was an accident, and people ended up sleeping on tables and mattresses on the dorm floor. I’d made my reservation two months earlier, but when I arrived the owner said he’d lost it and told me to sleep at his house. I was crying, and he yelled at me and tried to touch my face. In my experience, men touching women is uncommon in Palestinian territories. I also saw sheets and blankets being left unwashed between guests. The owner got too involved in how I did things, telling me what to wear to the shower and where to put my belongings. It took up a lot of my time and quickly became awkward and tiresome. Before I left, he pressured me to tell him he was a good man. I feel that when someone has to ask for that, it probably isn't true. There’s no alcohol in the hostel, in case that's useful to know. I expect customs to differ when I travel, but this was far too uncomfortable. If you do stay, you and your things will be fine, just expect a very uncomfortable experience.