The Hostelz.com Review
HI - Shenzhen Loft Hostel is part of the Chinese YHA and is a high quality establishment mixing traditional YH ideals with satisfying modern backpacker needs. There are plenty of dormitories and private rooms. It is a popular hostel, especially on weekends when many Chinese people use it as a base for a shopping trip to Hong Kong, so booking is a good idea. The hostel may apply a seven-day stay limit at busy times.
The Location
The hostel is situated in the area known as Overseas China Town (OCT), a pleasant leafy and artistic area. The nearest metro station is OCT East (Qiao Cheng Dong) -- whether arriving by bus or metro, head up the road next to the Konka business premises. The hostel is on the far side of an artistic and restaurant area at the end of that road, in total about a kilometer from the metro station. This location is some distance away from the central business district and border crossings to Hong Kong, but all are readily accessible on the metro. Nearby attractions include an ethnic theme park, Windows on the World with miniaturized versions of well known sites from around the world, and a mangrove boardwalk.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorms are small but most accommodate only three persons so it's not a problem. Each guest has a key and a lockable locker. The rooms are clean and airy and well maintained, though the ground floor rooms are slightly lower quality and are charged at a lower rate. The mattresses are wire-framed at the surface, so they are not super comfortable.
Most bathrooms are very large and modern containing a good shower, basin, and western toilet. Liquid body soap is provided. Most also have a balcony where you can hang washing -- but of course, you cannot retrieve it while someone is showering!
Common Spaces
The most popular common area runs the length of the building with opening patio windows all along, opening onto a leafy courtyard which in turn is flanked by the leafy street. Outside and at the far end of the common area smoking is permitted. The dining/TV room is much less used. There's a small area with a couple of PCs with internet access and there is free Wi-Fi throughout the common areas. The reception contains useful tourist and travel information, which staff are always happy to supplement, and there are extra secure lockers which can be rented. Although there is no curfew, lights are dimmed right down at midnight.
The members' kitchen is quite spacious, but apart from a good fridge it is poorly equipped. The hostel sells small meals, but most people either eat nearby or bring in hot food from the supermarket nearby. The hostel sells drinks at reasonable prices. Luggage can be stored for a small fee.
The Loft is a friendly enough place and people certainly meet and chat in small groups but the atmosphere is mostly subdued. This seems to be the result of the layout of the main common area and the mix of guests -- there are quite high numbers of shoppers on the way to Hong Kong and students who have work to do.
Summary
We have visited this hostel many times in the last few years -- the standard and style is consistent, except that the member's kitchen has been allowed to slip (more equipment should be provided). They also turn off the cold drinks fridge in winter -- misguided penny pinching that causes them to lose in the end as there's a supermarket right next door. Staff have changed but they have always been professional and knowledgeable; however, there has also been a consistent coolness -- staff are short on smiles and do not initiate chat or contact with guests as at many hostels.
The Location
The hostel is situated in the area known as Overseas China Town (OCT), a pleasant leafy and artistic area. The nearest metro station is OCT East (Qiao Cheng Dong) -- whether arriving by bus or metro, head up the road next to the Konka business premises. The hostel is on the far side of an artistic and restaurant area at the end of that road, in total about a kilometer from the metro station. This location is some distance away from the central business district and border crossings to Hong Kong, but all are readily accessible on the metro. Nearby attractions include an ethnic theme park, Windows on the World with miniaturized versions of well known sites from around the world, and a mangrove boardwalk.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorms are small but most accommodate only three persons so it's not a problem. Each guest has a key and a lockable locker. The rooms are clean and airy and well maintained, though the ground floor rooms are slightly lower quality and are charged at a lower rate. The mattresses are wire-framed at the surface, so they are not super comfortable.
Most bathrooms are very large and modern containing a good shower, basin, and western toilet. Liquid body soap is provided. Most also have a balcony where you can hang washing -- but of course, you cannot retrieve it while someone is showering!
Common Spaces
The most popular common area runs the length of the building with opening patio windows all along, opening onto a leafy courtyard which in turn is flanked by the leafy street. Outside and at the far end of the common area smoking is permitted. The dining/TV room is much less used. There's a small area with a couple of PCs with internet access and there is free Wi-Fi throughout the common areas. The reception contains useful tourist and travel information, which staff are always happy to supplement, and there are extra secure lockers which can be rented. Although there is no curfew, lights are dimmed right down at midnight.
The members' kitchen is quite spacious, but apart from a good fridge it is poorly equipped. The hostel sells small meals, but most people either eat nearby or bring in hot food from the supermarket nearby. The hostel sells drinks at reasonable prices. Luggage can be stored for a small fee.
The Loft is a friendly enough place and people certainly meet and chat in small groups but the atmosphere is mostly subdued. This seems to be the result of the layout of the main common area and the mix of guests -- there are quite high numbers of shoppers on the way to Hong Kong and students who have work to do.
Summary
We have visited this hostel many times in the last few years -- the standard and style is consistent, except that the member's kitchen has been allowed to slip (more equipment should be provided). They also turn off the cold drinks fridge in winter -- misguided penny pinching that causes them to lose in the end as there's a supermarket right next door. Staff have changed but they have always been professional and knowledgeable; however, there has also been a consistent coolness -- staff are short on smiles and do not initiate chat or contact with guests as at many hostels.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
April 2011
Their Description
HI - Shenzhen Loft Hostel Details
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Excellent Hostel This hostel is owned by a leading light in the Chinese YH Association. Despite being profit driven the owner has tried hard to create a hostel which is both traditional and modern in its approach. Everything is very smoothly run, maybe a little too much so. The staff are efficient but perhaps a little cold; there is a good amount of useful information on the wall in the lobby; the rooms are clean and not overcrowded. Atmosphere? Well, that depends on the hostelers, sometimes a bit cold, but there is a reasonably spacious lounge enabling interaction. Private rooms are perhaps a bit pricey, but if that means economically priced dorms, I'm all for it. Travelers can't go far wrong here. — Alan , Australia (2011-02-26) Recommended if you need a clean bed, shower, and access to Metro. Hostel is about ten-minute walking distance from the Qiao Chen Dong Metro station. There is a supermarket facing the hostel entrance and a Chinese restaurant serving Dim Sum across Shantou street, parallel to En Ping Street, behind the supermarket. There is also a cosy restaurant nearby accessible by a footpath parallel to En Ping Street, behind the hostel. Taxi to airport (RMB80 plus RMB10 toll) ) is easily available along the road in front of the hostel. After midnight, security guard can check you in, but you must pay a RMB300 deposit per room. — Ang Peng Guan , Singapore (2008-12-19)