The Hostelz.com Review - Genuine, independent review you can trust.
UNV Hostel is a makeshift accommodation that does not offer much of the standards you might expect from a hostel aimed at an international audience. The dark interior and lack of proper cleanliness is definitely a big letdown and there are no properly maintained common areas or kitchen either.
The Location
UNV Hostel is located just off the Paharganj Market in an area where you will find a mixture of local fruit vendors and food stalls right on your doorstep as well as a number of souvenir shops and restaurants adjusted to the taste of foreign tourists. The entrance opens from a tiny side street and the best way to find the hostel is by following the red signs with the name of the hostel indicating the directions. When you open the door you have just about enough place to step inside the reception area, as each tiny space is utilised.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The hostel is housed by a multi-story building with dorm and individual rooms sharing each floor. What becomes obvious at first sight is the abundance of male guests; this might be the reason the hostel stopped offering female dorms -- girls who do not feel comfortable sharing their room with men should probably look for another place. Moreover, the majority of the guests are Indian, so you might feel a bit excluded when everybody is talking in Hindi around you. The rooms have bunk beds and not much else; in fact, they are rather crammed, so even finding a place for your backpack might be problematic. The bathrooms are clean and spacious enough, but they are a bit rusty and you will have to take care of the toilet paper yourself.
Common Spaces
What the hostel clearly lacks is a cosy place where guests can sit and socialise. There are a few sofas scattered around the different floors, but they are neither comfortable nor inviting. The white walls have a few black paintings and decorations, but these just increase the gloomy atmosphere inside.
Summary
All in all, UNV Hostel might be an ok choice if you are only looking for a place to crash in the center but do not expect to find anything else than the very basics here. Without style and a cosy place to socialise and with guests coming predominantly from India, this is not your stereotypical backpacker hostel; it's more like a last-resort shelter when you cannot find anything better around.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.