Bookaholic Beach Hostel

We had a deluxe double room that was a good size, with a nice large bathroom. The location worked well for the beach, and there were lots of restaurants nearby. The host and everyone else working there were kind, helpful, and knew the area well. They really made our stay. Just note there was construction right beside the hostel.

The photos gave a misleading impression. Most of the crowd seemed to be pot smokers, which I have nothing against, but they barely left their rooms, and the place felt dirty. I felt unclean just being there, and the bathrooms were worse. Some safety locks didn't work, and there was no privacy in the dorms. I was told the people in my room had been there at least a month. They'd basically turned it into their own messy, dirty space, with friends coming over to visit.

The bathroom still smelled of urine after it was rinsed, and my experience with the staff made things worse. I asked the receptionist to clean it while I went to dinner. She said there was no cleaner on duty, then suggested I use the toilet bidet hose to rinse it myself. When I said she should do it, she got offended and said cleaning wasn't her role as receptionist. I asked her to call a manager or another staff member, then left for dinner. From the restaurant I called and asked for my number to be passed to the manager. The receptionist said it had already been cleaned and was fine. Five minutes later someone else called from the same number, claimed to be the manager, apologized, and asked me not to complain to anyone else. It was the night shift receptionist. A manager wouldn't ask that when there's nobody above them. The bathroom had been rinsed, but still smelled like urine. The room also looked nothing like the photos. There was mold, careless paintwork, dust and dirt, a broken door, rusty taps, and blood stains and holes on the bedsheet. The drinking cups looked as if they hadn't been washed in a year, and the water bottle looked like it had semen swimming in it. I attached photos of that and the bottle neck, as well as the room's condition, so people can compare them with the edited, well-angled room photos. Stay away. For the same price or less, there are plenty of cleaner, better places.

The only upside was being close to the beach. My friend booked a room for both of us, but when we checked in I was shocked to find the toilet dirty and smelly, with water dripping and leaking. I also got bitten by mosquitoes. There are lots of better options around, so check carefully.