Wangfujing International Youth Hostel

Comment by anontrav, US

April 2008

Disappointed
I stayed at this place with a friend earlier this year. I was extremely disappointed with our experience. We booked several nights but stayed only one, forced to forfeit the deposit and move to a much better nearby hostel (can't remember its name, however recall it was highly rated in the Lonely Planet and was a hotel which had moved downstream to become a hostel, yet still retains its hotel standards). This was my first time hosteling on a trip through a few Asian countries including China. We researched places before booking, and only saw positive reviews for this place (although there were in total twelve reviews) so booked a private room for several nights (I am now skeptical of online review sites). It was terrible. To be fair, the beds were clean. However we were given a room with no windows (completely white room -- reminded me of an interrogation cell), and appalling ventilation. The thermostat was set way too warm and couldn't be adjusted, so it was incredibly stuffy. So we slept with the door open the entire night in order to breathe. All the armchairs on the floor (two in our room) appeared soiled and filthy. I didn't use the showers as they were filthy with mould/mildew. There were quite a few broken tiles including in our room. Whilst I was brushing my teeth, I watched a woman behind me walking back and forth unsure which shower to choose as they were all unclean. I was disappointed with the service. When I had first seen the room I had asked for a swap. A young english-speaking manager declined saying there was no room. I tried again when I saw two others behind the front desk -- there appeared to be rooms -- until the young manager came back again and refused. The next morning we checked out and moved to a nearby hostel. Upon checking out, alternate rooms suddenly became available. However we were too upset by then. What astounded me from the whole experience was that there was so much focus on short term profiting at the expense of long term business reputation, and how they could treat travelers who were prepared to pay good money with such ill-will and dishonest dealing. Ultimately I felt like I hadn't been given a fair go.

Wangfujing International Youth Hostel

Beijing (DongCheng District)