HOSTEL REVIEW: Hostal Mayrit and Hostal Ivor, Madrid, Spain

OVERALL RATING: 5/5

DATE OF VISIT: September 11 to 13, 2010 and September 15, 2010

PLUSES: Hostel Mayrit and Hostel Ivor belong to the same owner and are located in the same building. Ivor is on the 2nd floor and Mayrit, on the 3rd. The location of these hostels cannot be more impeccable. It's at the middle of the Calle Arenal, which means that you're near both Puerta del Sol (Spain's Kilometer Zero) and the Palacio Real, Catedral de la Almudena and the Plaza Mayor. The street itself is lined with shops, bars and restaurants, so grabbing a quick bite is not a chore. The nearest Metro stop (Opera) is a stone's throw away. The rooms are simple but are quite well-kept. There's airconditioning in every room should you wish to visit Madrid during the summer. There's a small TV, too, with the standard Spanish channels. The bathrooms are surprisingly very well-furnished for a budget hostel; there's free shampoo and soap, a hair dryer, and perfumed towels. The personnel has an outstanding rapport with the clients.

MINUSES: There's only a small elevator that connects the ground floor to the hostels above. If you're travelling with big luggages, the technique will be to send all the luggages upstairs in the lift while you make your way through the stairs.

Visit their site

HOSTEL REVIEW: Rex Tourist Inn, Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Philippines

OVERALL RATING: 2/5

DATE OF VISIT: January 2 to 5, 2010

PLUSES: The personnel was nice, although they could be very lax or shy at times. They could fetch you from the port to their inn upon arrival. The island tour they organized was great and the food was always good. Showers yield abundant water everyday.

MINUSES: The room was very basic: bed, TV without remote, toilet and bath without toilet paper and mirror, and shower without heater. I would've wanted a window toward the outside instead of an interior window toward the hallway. The hostel should begin diversifying its fare for foreign tourists. I mean, food was great if you're Filipino and accustomed to eating rice and fish in the morning, but if you're from another country and you prefer bread, marmalade, butter and cereals, you might have a problem. The interiors and exteriors could be very kitschy.

HOSTEL REVIEW: Pensao Nova Sintra, Sintra, Portugal

OVERALL RATING: 5/5
DATE OF VISIT: November 6-8, 2009

PLUSES: It has to be said that this place is one of those few hotels and hostels that you book with a bit of uncertainty, but would turn out to be the best choice you've ever made for a long time. Words are not enough to cover how great Pensao Nova Sintra is: the entire place is so romantic and enchanting (it almost looks as if it has come out of a vintage postcard or an Audrey Hepburn movie!) that staying inside when you don't feel like going out, or sitting in one of the benches in its porch with a fabulous view of the mountains, is an experience in itself. Everyone in the staff, led by manager Rui Bernardo, has mastered the art of hospitality and will be more than glad to help you out even with your minutest concern (case in point: my phone charger got broken and Rui had another charger to spare). When you google it or look for it in the maps, the pensao's location may initially seem inconvenient for walking to tourist spots. But lo and behold, all of Sintra monuments are on top of the mountain and you wouldn't even want to walk to any! The public bus (was it 425?) that goes to all these monuments departs from the train station, a stone's throw away from this hostel. If you're up for some traditional Portuguese dishes, you may opt to dine in this hostel's restaurant that serves quality food in generous portions, or go a nearby churrasquería (a stand for roasting meat to go) and grab a few humongous slabs of beef or pork or chicken.

MINUSES: There is nothing to complain, but if I would really have to name one, it's probably the chore of doing the reservation. Since they didn't have any automatic reservation online, you have to e-mail or fax your credit card number to them.

Visit their website

HOSTEL REVIEW: Smile Hostel, Lisbon, Portugal

OVERALL RATING: 4/5
DATE OF VISIT: November 4 to 5, 2009

PLUSES: The hostel is very home-y, a far-cry from the previous Lisboa hostel where I had stayed before. It's right next to the Sé, the city's cathedral, and very near the Castelo de San Jorge, Praca do Comercio and Praca do Rossio. You could also get Lisbon's mythical Tram 28, which goes around the main tourist spots of the historical center, at a stop near the hostel. The breakfast is nice and the fact that you could cook in the hostel's kitchen is an added bonus. Breakfast was okay.

MINUSES: The shared bathroom is small. In the men's room, for example, there two small shower rooms located right next to two toilets. The doors to the showers were also perpetually jammed. Ditto with the girls', I think. If ever you plan to take public transportation, locating the street, Travessa do Almada, will be tough because it's a minor road not located on any city map. The hostel has no sign whatsoever to indicate that you're there.

Visit their site

HOTEL REVIEW: Baiyoke Boutique, Bangkok, Thailand

OVERALL RATING: 5/5
DATE OF VISIT: April 30 to May 2, 2009

PROS: For people who think of Bangkok as a shopping Mecca, this hotel is perhaps one of the best choices. It's right in the heart of a shopping district of the city, with daily night markets that sell from souvenirs to clothes, from faux bags and watches to electronics. The buffet breakfast is superb, since you get a hearty selection of Thai, Asian and Western cuisine. The hotel staff is very nice and responsive and the rooms, well-kept. The complimentary water on each day of your stay adds a nice touch of warmth.

MINUSES: Don't ask for a room with a view because the hotel is right at the back of its bigger sister, the Baiyoke Sky, Bangkok's tallest building. And if you like Classic Bangkok (temples, palaces, the River), you might be disappointed because this hotel is far from those places and the mythical Bangkok rush-hour traffic always gets in the way.

Visit their site.

HOSTEL REVIEW: Matahari Lodge, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

OVERALL RATING: 4/5
DATE OF VISIT: February 5 to 6, and then 11, 2009

PLUSES: The location is excellent: it's in front of the Metro, near the main bus station and a stone's throw away from the Central Market and Chinatown. There's a 7-11 right downstairs. Lee is very friendly, helpful and accommodating, and speaks very good English. Zack is also nice, although that other guy, Mann, is not especially friendly to Asians; and I was with my Malaysian friend who spoke to him in Malay as he responded haughtily in English. The schmuck suddenly changes with Westerners. Water is no problem and the beds are comfortable. Everything is squeaky clean.

MINUSES: It's claustrophobia galore with windowless rooms whose only opening is an exhaust fan. The walls are thin, so hope your neighbors are not fond of talking or throwing stuffs around at night. I would've wanted a fluffier pillow, as well. Oh, and have I told you about that guy Mann?

Visit their site

HOSTEL REVIEW: Superb Hub @ Bugis City, Singapore

OVERALL RATING: 5/5
DATE OF VISIT: February 8 to 9, 2009

PLUSES: The sharp difference in terms of prices of everything in Singapore can be noted when you're crossing over from Malaysia or Indonesia (and I'm thinking in Philippine pesos here). That said, you get your money's worth in this hostel. The hosts (mother-and-son tandem Sim and Ronnie) are so courteous and helpful. There's air conditioning *and* electric fan in the rooms to help combat the sweltering Singaporean heat; water in the toilets and shower room is abundant 24/7. The minute details of giving you bottled water upon your arrival and lending you the ez-link card (the transportation card in Singapore which otherwise you would have to buy for SG$7) are an added bonus. The location is fantastic. It's in the Arab area of the city filled with bazaars, thrift shops, Middle Eastern restaurants and a 7-11. The Raffles Hospital and the nearest MRT station are about a minute away walking. Strongly recommended, especially if you're backpacking.

MINUSES: There's no elevator here, a problem Ronnie resolves by helping guests with their luggages. Since land is a precious commodity in Singapore, each room (I stayed in Room N) is maximized by integrating the bed with the cabinet and the table. You have to climb up to reach your bed and go down to get things from the table. The setup is sturdy although you could sometimes feel the floors shaking because of people trying to get down their bedposts.

Visit their site

HOSTEL REVIEW: Akinabalu Youth Hostel, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

OVERALL RATING: 4/5

DATE OF VISIT: July 4 to 6, 2008

PLUSES: The place is located in the central part of the island and is near the Sunday flea market. The back of the hostel is filled with typical Malaysian delis so you wouldn't have to worry about getting hungry. Westerners will likely fall in love with the interior design as it is very Asian (you have to remove your shoes when you enter the premises). The common room is spacious with a big TV with cable connection. Bedrooms are simple but well-maintained. Ditto with the bathroom.

MINUSES: Well, it's free breakfast alright, but for my Filipino tummy, instant noodles or jam and bread just doesn't work. English-speaking tourists might want to be more patient if at first they fail to understand what the receptionist is saying. No elevators.

Visit their site

HOTEL REVIEW: Shi Ji Huang Shan Hotel, Beijing, China

OVERALL RATING: 3/5

DATE OF VISIT: February 21 to 23, 2008

PLUSES: Though a 3-star hotel, it is a very affordable place to stay in the heart of Beijing. It's located in a minor road, which means that you could get a quiet night after a day of sightseeing. My major horror before going to China was having a dirty room, so it was a happy discovery that Shi Ji Huang Shan is VERY NICELY kept. Big bathrooms for big people.

MINUSES: Well, as in any place in China, it's the communication problem that gets you. I was expecting people in the hotel to at least be able to get what I'm saying in English. But no... it's totally a lesson of doing sign language and charming you way to get what you needed. The breakfast was buffet, which was good, but it's über-Chinese so people who're not used to eating greasy noodles and rice in the morning should be warned.

Contact details to follow

HOSTEL REVIEW: Hostal Nuevo Suizo, Seville, Spain

OVERALL RATING: 2/5
DATE OF VISIT: April 4 to 6, 2007

PLUSES: If you're in Sevilla, Spain for the Semana Santa (Holy Week) and want to be in the heart of all the action, this hostel is the best choice because all processions -- and I mean ALL -- pass through the narrow Calle Sierpes where the hostel is located. That means that you save on money because you will not have to rent chairs exobirtantly priced to watch any procession. The personnel are very accommodating and know Seville very well. As all prices in the city skyrocket during Holy Week, the hostel is one of the cheapest that you can find. It also offers breakfast, free international calls and Internet and free coffee should you want to watch the Macarena during the madrugá. The street is also the shopping district of Seville, so it's easy to grab a souvenir or two before leaving. The interiors are old but very charming and typical of the city.

MINUSES: Since all processions pass through the hostel, be prepared to be engulfed by thousands and thousands of tourists that go to and fro. The police block off all the small streets that go to your place so be ready to do some camping out (The earliest that you could reach your place is at 12 midnight... this, after leaving your hostel at 1 PM, the time that the first procession starts). Breakfast is mediocre, to say the least, and the facilities leave a lot to be desired (i.e., the glass door of the shower literally got unhinged). And if you're condemned to be on the fourth floor, you would have to take the stairs with all your bags as there is no elevator.

Visit their site

HOSTEL REVIEW: Pension Escaray, Pamplona, Spain

OVERALL RATING: 3/5
DATE OF VISIT: August 13 to 14, 2007

PLUSES: This is one of those hostels that you get because it's cheap accommodation in an expensive city. If you're planning to go to Pamplona for the annual running of the bulls (Sanfermines), this pension is definitely one of the cheapest options there are, but you have to reserve about six months before the July fiesta. It has the basics like a shared bathroom, a bed and cabinets, a lamp and cable TV. It's in the center of the city, beside a lively park and near all the action. The lady that shows you around is very kind and helpful, and can speak French, Italian and English if your Spanish is rusty or nil. The house seems old but is well-maintained.

MINUSES: Well, as I said, you get the basics. The floors and beds might seem squeaky, and you can almost hear what people from the other rooms are doing. And making a reservation through the Internet can be quite a chore since the one answering e-mails could take about a week to respond. And I already e-mailed him in Spanish! I dread to think how it would be if it's in another language.

Contact Details:
jescaray@pnte.cfnavarra.es
(+34) 948-227825

HOSTEL REVIEW: Leonardo House, Florence, Italy

OVERALL RATING: 4/5
DATE OF VISIT: June 18 to 19, 2006

PLUSES: The location of the hostel is quite nice. Although it's near the train station and it's at the heart of Florence, it's located on a peaceful street that would allow you to rest very well after a day of walking and sightseeing. The father-and-son tandem that manage the place are probably the best hosts there could ever be, as proven by a large wall in their hostel full of thank-you notes from the world over. The beds are extremely comfortable and there is hot and cold water whenever you need it.

MINUSES: Well the steep stairs that welcome you to the hostel is a bit of a letdown. Just let them know what time you would come so that they could help you with your bags. Also, during my stay there, I had some problems with the keys (I actually broke one, hehe.)

Visit their site

HOSTEL REVIEW: Lybeers Travellers Hostel, Bruges, Belgium

OVERALL RATING: 5/5
DATE OF VISIT: February 2 to 3, 2007

PLUSES: This was once named the best budget hostel by Hostelworld, and for a good reason: cheap accommodation with first-class reception! The staff members (including the cute family dog!) are very accommodating and know how tourism should be. The location is near the Bruges (Brugge) tourism office, the new open-air market where you could buy smoked salmon and king crab salad if you're on a tight budget, and the main street that leads to all tourist spots. And the buffet breakfast is the best! They don't scrimp on the food. And there's an old world charm in the entire place, especially in the salon. VERY RECOMMENDABLE TO BUDGET TRAVELERS!

MINUSES: Well, if I really have to put something, there's no elevator so a big suitcase will be a chore to carry. The rooms are kinda old, but not repulsive. The free Internet is a bit slow.

Visit their site

HOSTEL REVIEW: Hostal Santo Domingo de Silos, Silos, Spain

OVERALL RATING: 5/5
DATE OF VISIT: April 14 to 15, 2007

PLUSES: If you're in Santo Domingo de Silos to visit the Benedictine abbey and want to follow the monks' daily schedule of prayer, this hostel is the best option since it's right next to the monastery. You're given the keys to all the doors so it's not difficult to come in and out of your place to go sing the Gregorian chant with the monks. The staff is über-friendly and knows to heart the schedule of the prayers. The place is super well-kept, with a very clean bathroom and a comfy bed to rest your aching bones if you've made a pitstop here during your Camino de Santiago. The sole bus to Burgos passes right in front of the hostel. And, oh, do try the sopa castellana in the hostel's restaurant. It's to die for.

MINUSES: I think there's no elevator (if I remember it right), so if you come with your bags it might be difficult to get upstair. Well, should you have any problem, you could always go change your reservation to the Hotel Santo Domingo de Silos, same owners but more upscale.

Visit their site

HOSTEL REVIEW: Hostel Centro, Toledo, Spain

OVERALL RATING: 4/5
DATE OF VISIT: May 21, 2007

PLUSES: When they say that they're in the center of town, they're really in the center of town. It's right at the city's main plaza and near the tourism office. A five-minute walk will take you to the Cathedral while three minutes tops to go to the Alcazar. Everything in the hostel is immaculate. The staff members are courteous and know a lot about Toledo. Very reasonably priced.

MINUSES: No breakfast. If you're assigned to a room overlooking the plaza, it might be noisy toward the evening.

Visit their site

HOSTEL REVIEW: Residencial Dom Jose, Lisbon, Portugal

OVERALL RATING: 3/5

DATE OF VISIT: October 5 to 6, 2006

PLUSES: Comfy beds, surprisingly spacious bathrooms and big bathtubs. The hostel itself is old but well maintained. About 3 minutes from the nearest subway stop. Located in a quiet zone of the city.

MINUSES: If you're on a very tight budget and want to scrimp on taking public transport, the hostel is a bit far from the beach and most monuments of Lisbon. And there's no elevator.

Visit their site

HOSTEL REVIEW: Alloggi la Gondola, Venice, Italy

OVERALL RATING: 3/5
DATE OF VISIT: June 19, 2007

PLUSES: This is definitely the cheapest place in Venice, Italy. It's very near the train station of Santa Lucia and can be found at the back of a posh hotel along a lively Venetian street.

MINUSES: Super lumpy beds. And since I was there on a hot summer day and was assigned an interior room, I nearly died of asphyxiation. No elevators so bringing your bags to the topmost floor will be too big a chore.

Visit their site

HOSTEL REVIEW: Alsos House, Kalampaka, Greece

OVERALL RATING: 5/5
DATE OF VISIT: March 10 to 11, 2007

PLUSES: Definitely, the rooms with a view of the Meteora rocks! Very nice multilingual staff. VERY CLEAN AND SPACIOUS rooms and bathrooms. Near the bus station, the train station and the footpath leading to the Meteora monasteries. Good prices considering the service and the location of the place. Highly recommendable to student and budget travelers!

MINUSES: Well, no elevators. And when I came during the low season, the owner was out, so I had to wait for him a bit.

Visit their site

HOTEL REVIEW: Hotel Abba, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

OVERALL RATING: 4/5
DATE OF VISIT: February 4 to 6, 2007

PLUSES: This *definitely* is the cheapest accommodation you could find in Amsterdam. Nice staff (mostly Brits). The breakfast is superb. My room was overlooking a charming Dutch interior patio. TV and well-maintained shared bathrooms.

MINUSES: The steep stairs. A bit far from most historic monuments (but very near the Dutch nightlife). And, depending on how you see it, a condom dispenser at the end of the flight of stairs.

Visit their site

HOTEL REVIEW: Hotel Trianon Rive Gauche, Paris, France

OVERALL RATING: 5/5

DATE OF VISIT: March 31 to April 2, 2006

PLUSES: The best breakfast ever served in a turn-of-the-century dining room! Very solicitous staff members. Located in a quiet sidestreet of a busy main thoroughfare of Paris.

MINUSES: Well, this is not exactly a budget accommodation. Just like anything in Paris, the more you get near the center, the more expensive the hotels get.

Visit their site