Sanlitun Youth Hostel (Wangfujing Hostel), Beijing, China

This is a Trusted Review. Why?

We stayed in the Sanlitun Hostel for more than a week. The location is outstanding with easy access to the markets, restaurants and bars and subway. The atmosphere is lively with the staff really making an effort to encourage interaction with free meals on some nights. The foosball table and pool table also add to the atmosphere. There was no pressure to book tours although the staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. Our experience as a family travelling was really positive with only one minor gripe, that some items on the menu were too overpriced. The reception staff all speak english and are very helpful. One of the best things about this hostel is the furry little animals. It's nice to cuddle a pet especially if you've been travelling for a while and a little homesick.

Overall

4

Location

5

Cleanliness

4

Value

3

Facilities

4

Service

5

mikeandpat stayed here in Mar '11

This is a Trusted Review. Why?

Room: I had a single room (2 full beds) with shared bath which ended up being in the 4th floor (no lift). The merely functional room, which also contained a table and an end table, was fine, the bed clothes clean. There was peeling wallpaper in one corner of the room and the general feel was that of a well worn space. There were some mismatched clothes hangers which I used to hang laundry.

Hostel location and social atmosphere: The hostel is in a courtyard which contains other restaurants, not quickly accessible from the hustle bustle of the street, which is rather nice. The common spaces downstairs are excellent for meeting people, includes a restaurant which has the atmosphere of a hang out coffeeshop with comfy chairs, free wifi on your laptop and also shows movies. Food is definitely a bit more expensive but still reasonably priced if you are visiting from N America or Europe. I met people who travel an hour from the Beijing suburbs to hang out there on weekends as a jumping point to the city or just to study and get work done. The hostel also puts some effort to organise events that will help people interact: dumpling night, a World Cup viewing, other free food, connection with organised tours. One warning on location: it's a bit more than a skip to the metro station, perhaps 10 min, and further to the airport shuttle stop.

Staff: The staff are also friendly--particularly if you show them consideration yourself. They are 20 somethings who are working or on call 6 days a week, and one suspects quite long hours on duty days, so some waning enthusiasm for service should be understandable and even attributable to sleep deprivation.

Handling of incidents: At 5:00ish one morning pieces of the ceiling in my room kerplunked on the bed next to mine. Apparently heavy rains caused a leak, also liquifying paint on to my clothes which were strewn about the bed.

Ultimately, the hostel's policy (which was quite prompt--once the owner was present) was to wash my clothes and suitcase for me as well as to relocate me to an upgraded room with 2 twin beds, ie a single with private bath. The $7.50 upgrade in this case meant a room that was much less worn, a telephone, a non-flat TV, IKEA-like furniture (desk, night tables), towels and soap--none of these things were available in the previous room. Ultimately, good value for $7.50. Yes, I had bits of paint on other stuff besides clothes and no, I didn't want perfume on my clothes, but I didn't specify no perfume (be forwarned!) and decided to clean other things myself.

The hostel owner is quite present and involved, and he is also aware of the effect of online ratings on traffic. Altogether, I left a very satisfied guest. I'm just disappointed they are now by policy making single guests

Overall

5

Location

5

Cleanliness

4

Value

4

Facilities

4

Service

5

mayiara stayed here in Jul '10

This is a Trusted Review. Why?

Clean and in a very good location.

Overall

4

Location

4

Cleanliness

4

Value

4

Facilities

4

Service

4

gadollest stayed here in Feb '10

This is a Trusted Review. Why?

Nice place where the team is ready to hear and help you as much as she can.

Take care of the climatization which is very strong and near the beds (in the dorms).

Overall

4

Location

4

Cleanliness

4

Value

4

Facilities

4

Service

5

ncarreras3 stayed here in Aug '09