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Dirty Hostels

Housekeeping and Maintenance

Josh started this discussion 16 years 10 months ago

I recently stayed at a very dirty hostel. I didn't realize how dirty it was until after I checked in.

The blankets smelled so bad I couldn't use one of them.

The bathroom was really filthy. Click on the photos below, including the dead fly on the cleaning bottle (which was also covered in dust from lack of use). :eek:

The photograph of the sink didn't really pick up the detail of the filth, but it gives a basic idea. The bathroom floor was just as scary but I didn't get a photo.

I won't describe what the toilet seat looked like in case anyone has just eaten.

I'm not going to name the hostel -- it is not listed in any booking engines that I know of and cannot be found online even by searching for its name in English.

I am surprised that people run hostels like this. It's not the first totally filthy hostel that I've been to. It wouldn't take that much work to fix the hostel up to a basic livable standard and make it a fun place. I'm not sure what people are thinking. Hostels like that are losing money because of the condition of the place. Generally, the only people who are willing to stay in that kind of filth are shady characters, and that further degrades the quality of the hostel.

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Andy08

16 years

I hate rocking up to hostels that I've booked online to find its run down or dirty.. I have a mate who will check out the room before he pays for it. Which is a good idea, but not something most people would do. Although after my latest crappy hostel experience I have decided to only pay for the first night if possible..
Do you think a large " NO REFUNDS" sign above the reception is a good indication that a hostel may get a lot of complaints? Im sure this will vary from country to country, but is it even legal to have a no refund policy? Any thoughts on refunds?

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Josh Hostels

16 years

It probably depends on the country, but I think "no refund" policy is legal in the USA.

I would be wary about a hostel that had a "no refund" policy...

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santa klaus

16 years

Do you think a large " NO REFUNDS" sign above the reception is a good indication that a hostel may get a lot of complaints?

YES. Period.

It´s also a sign of cynicism, greed and general lack of respect of the customers.

I can´t imagine giving money back is illegal anywhere. WTF!?

Edit:
To anyone who will go to the Hostelworld conference: check out which owners stay at the Hilton and which stay in a downtown hostel. That sort of behavior speaks volumes. OK, some may have backaches and prefer a decent bed at the Hotel for this reason, but as a general rule I would say hostel owners who avoid hostels are cynics.

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Josh Hostels

16 years

I just checked into a private room at another filthy hostel.

This hostel is even worse than the one mentioned above. I tried to lay down in my bed, but it smelled too bad. I put the smelly blankets in the hallway, but the smell is also in the sheets and mattresses.

I don't think anything has been washed in a long time. I get the feeling that right before he showed me the room, the manager just picked up the dirty sheets on the bed and folded them quickly to make them look like they were new. All the other blankets were still tossed around the bed in the same positions as the last guest left them.

I took the blanket that smelled the least bad and put it on the wooden floor and tried to sleep on it, but the smell was a constant reminder of how dirty everything was.

I couldn't stay in the room. Will have to try to sleep in a chair down here in the lounge tonight.

This hostel is not listed in booking engines, but it has a Web site that ranks well in Google. If a hostel is trying to market itself as a backpackers hostel but is not listed on any hostel booking engines or directories, is that a clue that there might be something wrong with the hostel?

I don't think it matters if a hostel is run down or a bit dilapidated as long as it's relatively clean. This place could be nice with even just a little bit of effort.

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dreamhostel

16 years

would you mind to let us know his web site?

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Josh Hostels

16 years

would you mind to let us know his web site?

I would prefer not to write bad things about specific hostels on this site. Both hostels above are located in Asia, well off the beaten track.

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Phillip

15 years

I can tell from the photos that these pictures were taken in Japan! :)

And yes, that is a common situation among Japanese Hostels. They build once all brand new and then let it fall apart over time concentrating on just making money and not service.

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Josh Hostels

15 years

I can tell from the photos that these pictures were taken in Japan! :)

Yeah, the photos are from Japan -- one of those places you need to read Japanese to find online :)

The 2nd hostel mentioned (no photos) was in Taiwan.

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AndrewC

15 years

YES. Period.

It´s also a sign of cynicism, greed and general lack of respect of the customers.

I can´t imagine giving money back is illegal anywhere. WTF!?

Regarding the NO REFUND policy.

Where I currently work we have a sign indicating no refunds, for unused accommodation, to deter guests who want to change their booking on a whim.

We have a discounted weekly rate, and we advise guests on payment that if they want to take up the weekly rate we don't offer a refund on an unused amount. If they are coming back through town, we will often let them keep the credit for then.

We ask guest to think carefully for how long they are staying, and are happy for them to pay a partial amount (e.g pay for 3 nights out of 6 booked), if they're unsure of their movements.

We also apply common sense to this rule if need be. Like if someone pays for 3 weeks and has to leave after one night, common sense applies and we don't keep the money

If a guest wants to leave because they're not happy with the standards of the hostel, they've been kept awake, or something else that is our fault, we do refund.

I think that's fair for both parties.

If guests want to look at the rooms before they pay, that's great. I'd prefer them to say no thank you, than have grumpy dissatisfied people around the hostel. Luckily, this doesn't happen very often!

Sorry for the tangent.

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