SaiGon Gao Hostel

It’s in a busy area, but on a quieter street. I felt very safe here, and the staff were helpful and great, even though they didn’t speak much English.

The big beds, kitchen, and main floor table for working on a laptop or chatting were the things I liked most. The staff are friendly, too. There are drawbacks: the dorms are up more than five flights of stairs, the bathroom leaks from the ceiling, and the rooms feel a bit old. Curtains only cover part of the bed. I’d stay again for the things I liked, just knowing about those issues. I also wish they had a water filter, though they do provide tea and some drinking water in the lobby.

The balcony and its great view were a real plus, and having a locker with a padlock was handy. Our beds were comfortable, though not especially clean: there was hair and dirt on the sheets, and my friend found dried human fluids on the mattress. The bathroom, on the other hand, was clean enough. We were three people sharing a four-person room for two nights, and the stay was mostly positive. The beds don't have curtains at the foot, but that wasn't a big issue. It's affordable and right near the main pedestrian strip for nightlife, while being tucked down a quieter side street. The staff were friendly and helpful, and laundry cost 30k per kilogram. A decent value for a central budget hostel, with modest amenities. Go forth, BJ

At around 9pm, we found the beds covered in bed bugs and decided to look for another hostel. I had seen the reviews mentioning them, but someone staying there assured me there weren't any, so I booked anyway. The staff returned our deposit and there was no trouble leaving. The location and service were fine, though the rooms were quite dirty. For a cheap hostel, I guess that part was understandable.