Some Place Else

As a solo traveler, I found that most conveniently located hotels were around 300-500 MYR a night. To save money, I booked this hostel for about 80 MYR per night. I was a bit apprehensive before checking in, as it was a mixed-gender dorm. Overall, it pleasantly exceeded my expectations. The location is excellent; Mural Street, Durian Dessert Kingdom, Clan Jetties, Chulia Street night market food, the Blue Mansion, the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, and many other attractions are all within walking distance. Plus, there are plenty of great food options nearby. The hostel boasts a wonderful environment and atmosphere. There are backpackers from all over the world, and everyone is very friendly, welcoming, and respectful of the rules. There's no noise at night, ensuring a good sleep. Each bed has a curtain for privacy, and the space is quite generous, so it doesn't feel cramped or crowded. The common areas are spacious and comfortable, featuring a co-working space, a lounge area, and free drinking water. You can relax and enjoy the air-conditioning anytime. What pleasantly surprised me was the hostel's rich variety of organized activities. I joined an 8 AM carpool trip to the famous Penang Hill (entry is free if you hike up, which I did and got completely soaked in sweat; I took the funicular train down for 15 MYR). Also, on my last night before leaving, I happened to catch their Thursday night music party. It was a delight to hear talented travelers from all corners of the world perform songs – English, Chinese, and Cantonese, for example – with an incredibly enthusiastic and supportive audience. Finally, I'd like to mention a few drawbacks of this hostel: Each bed came with a dark blue blanket that I suspect hadn't been washed, as it carried a strong scent of perfume and body odor. It likely belonged to a previous guest who was heavy on perfume. Luckily, I had brought my own blanket and bedsheet. The bathrooms don't have basins or buckets for handwashing clothes, which is quite inconvenient. While the hostel offers a paid laundry service, they don't provide drying racks or towels. Shoes must be removed before entering the dorm areas, so I recommend bringing your own indoor slippers; otherwise, you'll have to walk in socks or barefoot. On the positive side, the front desk staff speak Chinese, so communication is seamless, and they are very friendly and welcoming. Overall, I highly recommend this hostel, especially for solo travelers.

Cleanliness: Excellent. The bedding was incredibly soft and comfortable, and I'll definitely be back.