White Jail @ Koh Tao hostel

The pictures and price made the place look appealing, and we were led to expect a view, but checking in was awful. They said we could leave and get a refund, but properties across the small island were sold out, so where could we go? They knew we had nowhere else and spoke to us very rudely. There was a faeces-like smell on the stairs every time we went to our room. Light from outside came through the glass wall all night, and I couldn’t sleep. I attached photos showing the lights still on at 1:00. It was a horrible stay. Strongly recommend going somewhere else, and don’t be tempted by the price or pictures. It’s a slum.

Being right by the port was convenient. The rooms were comfortable, and I appreciated getting fresh water and toilet paper each day. The outdoor shower was great, and the staff were welcoming and friendly.

The room was clean, including the toilets and showers, and the bed was comfortable. Staff happily brought us an extra pillow and blanket when we asked. We didn’t hear the construction noise we’d been warned about during our three nights, and there was no noise from bars either. Sitting out back during the day was peaceful. One surprise: the advertised 10-bed dorm was really 20 beds, with an invisible division presented as two separate rooms. I wouldn’t have minded if we’d known when booking. The curtain on my top bunk couldn’t close because of the ladder on one side, so I used a towel as a makeshift curtain to stop people coming through the door from looking in.

The staff were incredibly unhelpful. My room was mouldy, and there was no soundproofing, so I hadn’t slept properly in three days. I was willing to put up with that until ants infested the room. They blamed me for bringing food in and refused even to wash the clothes the ants got into.