B.A.G Hostel

Dadaocheng made the stay memorable, with its old streets, cafés, and little boutiques. The staff were welcoming, and there was a Japanese denim pop-up downstairs that added to the creative local feel. The building has stairs only, no lift, so it may be difficult for anyone with mobility issues. We booked the cozy King Room on the third floor in May. Its private bathroom was outside the room, and there was a vinyl player with an impressive record collection. Opan, the resident cat, was a favorite: friendly and lovable, and even slept with us. His distinctive screeching meow is hard to forget. Such a charming stay, and I’d love to return and see Opan again.

The area map she made was beautiful, and she shared helpful tips about the neighborhood. The people running this little gem were lovely and helpful. It’s a really nice café, with good coffee, tasteful decor, and very clean toilets. There’s a resident cat, too.

The jazz was just right, and everything about this tea break felt lovingly prepared. I’d happily come back anytime.

The construction across the street woke us at 7 a.m. with a jackhammer that went on for three hours. We could also hear traffic very clearly through the windows, even local buses idling, and I didn’t feel rested. I left as soon as I could. I’d suggest waiting until that construction is over, or at least until the pop-up shop on the first floor is gone. The interior is beautiful, the beds comfortable, and the hotel sits in the middle of the old district. The cat is adorable, and the service was exceptional. They left coffee bags with a little welcome note in English, and I saw they did the same for other visitors in Japanese. There wasn’t a shared place to lounge away from the noise because the first floor was being used for a pop-up shop. Also, very few restaurants nearby stay open late, since it’s a tourist area.