Hostel Of The Day – Page 2

Hostel of the Day: THE POD BOUTIQUE CAPSULE HOTEL – Dark-Themed, Futuristic & High-Priced Property Along Singapore’s Beach Road

Early this year, I flew to Singapore for 5 days and 4 nights for a quick family trip. In such a short span of time, I managed to check out and stay in two capsule hotels: Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Kampong Glam and The POD Boutique Capsule Hotel. A few weeks ago, I shared with you how valuable a property Cube Kampong Glam is. Join me in today’s hostel of the day feature as I share with you my experience with the second property, The POD Boutique Capsule Hotel at Beach Road.

In case you missed it, I flew with Scoot, Singapore Airlines’ budget subsidiary, to and from Singapore. I hope you can check out these two flight reports: Scoot Flight TR 397 Manila to Singapore and Scoot Flight TR 390 Singapore to Manila.

The POD Boutique Capsule Hotel

The POD Boutique Capsule Hotel is a capsule hotel along Beach Road, just outside Singapore’s Central Business District. It opened in 2013 with the unique concept of providing comfortable and fuss-free accommodation with a modern and minimalistic approach.

The capsule hotel has over 100 capsules across different pods and suites. It caters to business travelers who want comfort at an affordable price and to leisure travelers who do not mind paying extra for better comfort and privacy.

In case you do not know, I try to stay and review hostels anonymously during my trips. I have been to a lot of hostels around Asia, Australia and Europe. I hope you can check all of these hostel features under the Hostel of the Day category.

Location & Access

The POD is located at Level 3, 289 Beach Road, Singapore, 199552. The property is 200 meters by foot to Kampong Glam, 250 meters by foot to the Sultan Mosque, 300 meters by foot to the Malay Heritage Center, 350 meters by foot to Haji Lane, and 850 meters by foot to Bugis Street.

The POD is located within a busy retail and dining precinct with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and artisan shops. The nearest MRT station is Bugis Station in the East-West or Green Line, and the nearest bus stop is right in front of the hostel doors.

Major Singapore attractions such as Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay, and Orchard Road are all less than 30 minutes away by bus or train from the hostel. The property is 45 minutes to 1 hour away from Singapore Changi Airport.

Room Options

The POD Boutique Capsule Hotel offers five room options. They have 3 types of pods and 2 types of private suites.

The first pod type is the front-entry single pod. This is available in mixed shared rooms, male-only rooms, and female-only shared rooms. Each single pod features a personal locker under each pod, cotton sheets, a fluffy duvet with two pillows, a hanger and clothes rack, a personal power socket, a personal reading light, and privacy roller shades. The second pod type is the side-entry single pod. This pod type has the same features as the first type but differs in the entry area.

The last pod type is the queen pod. This pod type features a double mattress instead of a single-type one. It also has the same features as the single pods. Both the side entry and queen pods are only available in mixed shared rooms and female-only shared rooms.

The POD has two suite types: single pod suites and queen pod suites. These individually accessible suites are enclosed in a private room with a single bed and a double bed, respectively. In addition to all the amenities enjoyed in the shared pods, the suites feature a personal workspace with a small table and chair. All these pods, shared or private, are given clean bath towels, slippers, and a bottle of water. These pods also have access to shared, self-contained bathrooms found on every floor.

I booked my 1-night stay with Agoda and paid ₱3,323.43 for a single pod suite. I got a suite with an upper single bed and a workstation. I got a bed with two pillows and a comfortable duvet. I also got a bath towel, bottled water, and a pair of disposable slippers upon entering the room. I believe this accommodation is in the higher price range of value accommodations in Singapore.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Complimentary High-Speed Wi-Fi – The Pod offers complimentary high-speed wi-fi to all guests. The connection is perfect for those who need to work remotely.

Communal Lounge Areas – The property has a few chairs and tables in the communal spaces where guests can chill and talk to other guests during their stay.

Complimentary Coffee & Tea – Coffee and tea are available in the common area free of charge at any time of the day.

Meeting Room – The property has a meeting room that guests can use in case they need to go into a meeting with some people during their stay.

Business Pods – Guests coming to Singapore for work or business can use the business pod for important meetings and quiet work hours.

Vending Machine – Guests can buy water or carbonated drinks at the vending machine found in the common area.

Self-Contained Bathrooms – The hostel has self-contained bathrooms on all floors. These bathrooms are clean and well-maintained.

Self-Help Laundromat – The Pod has a self-help laundromat that can be used for a small fee. Feel free to approach reception if you want to use this facility.

Express Check-In & Check-Out – The hostel has self-check-in and check-out machines that guests can use upon arrival or before leaving the hostel.

Air Conditioning Systems – The hostel premises are equipped with air conditioning systems. However, these systems are only opened at specific hours during the night.

Luggage Storage – The Pod offers luggage storage for all incoming and outgoing guests. Please approach the reception staff if you want your bags stored.

24-Hour Reception – The Pod’s reception is open 24 hours a day. There is no need to worry about arriving at the hostel late at night or leaving the property in the wee hours of the morning.

Multi-Lingual Staff – The hostel staff speaks several languages. They are also good at speaking the English language.

Lift Access – Guests traveling with large bags or suitcases do not need to worry about bringing their bags up to the property. The POD has lifts for guests to use.

Secured Room Access – Each guest is provided a key card that only works in the common doors and in the door of their assigned room.

Secured Hostel Premises – The hostel is equipped with surveillance cameras. Also, room areas can only be accessed using hostel keycards. These room areas are restricted to non-guests.

Hostel Experience

I had a brief but remarkable stay at The POD Boutique Capsule Hotel in Singapore. I enjoyed every single bit of my stay, even if I was only there for a night.

The amazing experience started with the quick and easy self-check-in process. I did everything through the check-in and check-out machines available in front of reception. The following day, I checked out of the property in seconds.

I was also impressed by the single-pod features and amenities. I got a pod with a quality single bed equipped with two pillows and a thick but comfortable duvet. I also got bottled water, a pair of slippers, and a bath towel upon check-in.

Another thing I liked about this capsule hotel is the meeting room and business pods available for guests who need to do some work during their stay.

There are also a few things that happened during my stay that will make me think twice about staying here again in the future. First, the air conditioning systems in the rooms and in the common areas only work during the night. These are turned off during the day. I am all for environment-friendly measures, but I hope they also add ventilation options inside the rooms.

Second, the lift stopped for a while during my stay. I took a shower on the higher floors, and I had to take the stairs down because the lift stopped working. Lastly, I believe the price is a little bit on the higher tier for a capsule hotel. There are other capsule accommodations in the same area that offer better value for money.

Putting these things aside, I still had a wonderful stay with The POD. The hostel itself is an experience. It is unique, modern, and futuristic. I highly recommend The POD to those who can splurge a bit more but stay within a budget while traveling around Singapore.

Curious about The POD at Beach Road? You may contact them directly on these platforms:

The POD Boutique Capsule Hotel
Address: Level 3, 289 Beach Road, Singapore, 199552
Phone Number: +65 6298 8505
Email Address: info@thepodcapsulehotel.com
Website: www.thepodcapsulehotel.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepodcapsulehotel
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thepodcapsulehotel

Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

In case you missed it, I wrote about a nearby capsule hotel – Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Kampong Glam in the last hostel of the day feature. Show some love by checking out that post.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You will find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome & Z Hostel here in the Philippines. Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: CUBE BOUTIQUE CAPSULE HOTEL @ KAMPONG GLAM – Budget-Friendly Property in the Heart of Singapore’s Muslim Quarter

Early this year, I flew to Singapore for a few days to celebrate my cousins’ birthdays. We flew with Scoot on their TR 397 Manila to Singapore and TR 390 Singapore to Manila flights. Singapore has one of the most expensive and strict accommodation rules. I stayed separately from where my cousins stayed and decided to try Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Kampong Glam, a budget-friendly property in the heart of Singapore’s Muslim Quarter. Allow me to share with you the details of my stay in today’s hostel of the day feature.

Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Kampong Glam

Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Kampong Glam is one of three operating properties under the Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel brand. According to the property’s website, the Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel brand was established in 2015 under RB Hospitality Pte Ltd by a husband-and-wife tandem.

The Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel brand’s goal is to bring out the best in capsule-style living while maximizing space and technological innovations to address contemporary travel needs. Currently, the brand also has 2 operating properties in Chinatown, Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Chinatown and Cube Family Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Chinatown, and has 1 upcoming residence or suite-type accommodation called Cube Residences.

Location & Access

Cube Kampong Glam is located at 54, 55, 56 Bussorah Street, Kampong Glam, Bugis, Singapore, 199471. It is located at the heart of Singapore’s Islamic Quarter, Kampong Glam, alongside the Masjid Sultan Mosque. It is 100 meters away from the famous Haji Lane, 500 meters away from the nearest Bugis MRT Exit, and around 700 meters away from Bugis and Bugis Junction.

The property is in a bustling retail district with numerous restaurants, souvenir shops, and artisan shops found outside Cube’s doorstep. It is also a few minutes by MRT (train) to major Singapore attractions such as the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Chinatown, Little India, and Orchard Road. It is 30 minutes by train (MRT) from Bugis Station to Singapore Changi Airport Station.

Cube Kampong Glam’s location is an easy 10 out of 10. It is practically near and accessible to everything.

Capsule Options

Cube Kampong Glam offers four types of capsule options: single capsule, queen capsule, female single capsule, and private capsule.

Solo travelers can opt for a single capsule in a mixed shared room. The single capsule features a thick single bed within a cocoon complete with a pillow and blanket, a reading light, a small table, and a vanity mirror. Female solo travelers can opt for the female single capsules, which are found in female-only rooms. The number of single capsules in a room can range from 4 to 16, depending on the type of room booked.

Couples or pairs can opt for the queen bed capsule. This capsule features a spacious and thick queen bed, including all amenities found in a single capsule. Travelers who want to have the whole capsule room to themselves can go for the private capsule room. The private capsule rooms at Cube Kampong Glam can accommodate 2 or 6 people in a room.

I booked my stay with Agoda, got a lower bunk single capsule, and paid ₱5,952.82 for 3 nights. I believe this rate is already reasonable for an expensive country like Singapore. I got all the capsule bed amenities, including a bath towel, a bottled water, and a dental kit. I also enjoyed three buffet breakfasts at the property.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Complimentary High-Speed Wi-Fi – Cube Kampong Glam provides high-speed wi-fi access to all guests.

Complimentary Breakfast Buffet – The property provides a complimentary breakfast buffet to all checked-in guests. Selections include fried rice, toast with butter and jam, egg station, noodles, cereals, and fruits. Breakfast hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Complimentary Drinking Water – The property provides a bottle of water to all guests upon arrival. They also have a small water dispenser near the dining area for quick water breaks.

Communal Lounge & Co-Working Space – Cube Kampong Glam offers a communal lounge and co-working area for guests who want to chill or do some work.

Individual Communal Shower & Toilet – Shower and toilets are located outside the capsule rooms. These are found on the ground floor or on the 1^st floor.

Complimentary Bed & Bathroom Amenities – Cube Kampong Glam offers complimentary bed and bathroom amenities. Each capsule comes with a pillow and blanket, a reading light, a small table, and a vanity mirror. It also has a bath towel, a dental kit, and a bottle of water. Bathrooms include shampoo, conditioner, and liquid soap.

In-Room Air Conditioning Systems – All capsule rooms in Cube Kampong Glam are equipped with air conditioning systems.

Complimentary Luggage Storage – Cube Kampong Glam offers luggage storage to guests who need to leave their bags before check-in or after check-out. All bags stored need to be claimed before 10:00 p.m. every day.

Lockers & Storage Spaces – Guests can store their valuables in their assigned lockers and storage spaces. These lockers can only be opened using the guest-assigned key cards.

24-Hour Reception – Guests arriving late at night or leaving in the wee hours of the morning do not need to worry about checking in or checking out. Cube Kampong Glam’s reception is open 24 hours a day.

Friendly Staff – The staff who manned the reception during my check-in and check-out were hospitable and friendly.

Ticket & Tour Desk – The property also has a ticket and tour desk where guests can buy attraction tickets or book tours.

Concierge Services – Cube Kampong Glam offers concierge services to all guests. Local phone calls are free of charge. Printing services are also available for a fee.

Self-Help Laundry – Guests who need to wash and dry used clothes can use the self-help laundry and drying machine for a minimal charge.

Secured Property Access – Only guests have access to the communal areas and capsule rooms. These areas can be opened using the guest-assigned key cards.

Secured Hostel Premises – Cube Kampong Glam is equipped with 24/7 surveillance systems. The property is safe for all types of travelers.

Hostel Experience

I had a great stay at Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Kampong Glam. I enjoyed my 3-night stay, even though I was out most of the time.

The property stood out on these merits. First, Cube Kampong Glam offered budget-friendly prices for its central location. In general, Singaporean accommodations are on the expensive side, except for some properties like this. Second, their complimentary buffet breakfast was a big plus to the experience. They offered great selections, given the limitations.

Third, Cube Kampong Glam offered ‘extra’ amenities you do not usually get when staying in shared dormitories, hostels, or capsule hostels. Bath towels, dental kits, and even a bottle of water are already in the bed when you open your assigned capsule.

Fourth, the single beds found in single capsules were thick and comfortable to sleep in. Cube Kampong Glam’s mattresses have excellent quality. Lastly, Cube Kampong Glam maintained the pleasant shared room smell during my stay. The room never smelled bad throughout my entire stay.

Like any other stay, I noticed something that the property could improve and a case where the property might not be the preferred option for some travelers. First, the common toilets and showers need frequent cleaning and maintenance because they are used by most, if not all guests. Second, the property does not have lifts. Travelers who bring large suitcases or big luggage need to carry them up to the upper floor in case they are assigned to the upper floor capsules.

Overall, I still preferred this capsule-type property over other budget-friendly accommodation options in the country. I will still stay at Cube Kampong Glam the next time I fly to Singapore.

I hope I have convinced you to check out and consider Cube Kampong Glam as your accommodation in your upcoming trip to Singapore. For any questions or booking-related inquiries, feel free to reach out to the property in these platforms:

Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Kampong Glam
Address: 54, 55, 56 Bussorah Street, Kampong Glam, Bugis, Singapore, 199471
Phone Number: +65 6291 1696
Email Address: reservationskg@cubestay.sg / reservations@cubestay.sg / info@cubestay.sg
Website: www.cubehotels.com.sg/kampong-glam
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cubecapsules

This pretty much sums up my stay with Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Kampong Glam. I hope you can consider this as your accommodation for your next trip to Singapore.

Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: LONG HOSTEL SAIGON – Family-Managed Homey & Value Hostel Found in the Heart of Ho Chi Minh City District 1

After spending 3 days around the beautiful city of Hanoi, I took a domestic flight with Vietnam Airlines on business class down to Ho Chi Minh City and spent a few days in Vietnam’s most populous city. I also took this time to meet with friends whom I had not seen in a very long time.

During this brief visit to Ho Chi Minh City, I stayed at a small yet homey family-managed hostel named Long Hostel. I am featuring this property in today’s Hostel of the Day feature to tell the world how wonderful and budget-friendly this is.

Long Hostel

Long Hostel is a small family-owned and run hostel in Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Located in a multistory building, the hostel hosts all types of travelers in its private and dormitory rooms.

Location & Access

Long Hostel is located at 373 / 10 Đ. Phạm Ngũ Lão, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam. It is in an alley within the busy and central District 1 and a few minutes away from Bùi Viện Walking Street.

The hostel is in a busy commercial neighborhood. It is near restaurants, cafes, hostels, hotels, travel and tour agencies, supermarkets, and banks. It is also near a local public market. It is 5 minutes away by foot (350 meters) to Bùi Viện Walking Street, 20 minutes away by foot (1.6 kilometers) to the Independent Palace, and 20 minutes away by foot (1.9 kilometers) to Bến Thành Market.

Ho Chi Minh City’s busiest airport, Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, is 20-30 minutes away by Grab or taxi without traffic. Fares vary depending on the time of the day. It is also 30 minutes to an hour away by local bus 109. The local bus fare costs ₫15,000.

Long Hostel’s location is easily a 10 out of 10. It is in a quiet alley within a bustling commercial area; it is practically near everything.

Room Options

Long Hostel only offers 2 room types: a private double room and a mixed dormitory room.

The hostel’s double rooms feature a large double bed, a working table and seat, a private toilet and shower (including towels), a stand fan, an air conditioning system, a cable television, a balcony (for selected rooms), a small refrigerator, a safety deposit box, and a closet.

The mixed dormitory rooms feature 2 bunk beds, an in-room shower and toilet (with towels), individual reading lights, and lockers. These dormitory rooms are also air-conditioned.

I booked 3 nights in a double room and paid ₫1,170,000 upon check-in; I paid ₫390,000 (around ₱900) per night. I booked through Booking.com and got an upper-floor double room with a strong and fast wi-fi connection.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Long Hostel has a long list of facilities and amenities that guests can enjoy during their stay.

Free, Fast, and Reliable Wi-Fi Connection – The hostel’s wi-fi connection is free, fast, and reliable. It is perfect for remote work, including video calls and meetings.

Complimentary Hearty Breakfast – Long Hostel provides complimentary daily breakfast between 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. They have 5 food and 5 drink options to choose from.

Communal Lounge & Business Centre – Hostel guests have access to a communal lounge and business center at any time during their stay.

In-Room Shower & Toilet – Each room is equipped with a toilet and shower. Double rooms have their own private shower and toilet, while dormitory rooms have them shared inside each room.

Bath Towels – The hostel provides bath towels to all guests, regardless of room type.

Air Conditioning in Rooms – All rooms are equipped with air conditioning systems to cope with the Saigon heat.

Free Drinking Water Refills – The hostel provides free drinking water refills to guests.

Boardgames and Piano – Long Hostel has boardgames that guests can borrow and play during their stay. Those who know how to play a piano can try playing the hostel’s piano.

Luggage Storage – The hostel provides complimentary luggage storage to all incoming and outgoing guests during check-in and check-out days.

Tour Desk – The hostel has its own tour desk. They can help guests book their day tours or transportation tickets to other parts of the country.

Coin Bank – The hostel has a coin bank where guests can leave coins they no longer need and take coins of countries they are traveling to.

Laundry Services – Long Hostel offers laundry services at an additional charge. Do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Cam if you want to have your clothes washed.

Long Reception Hours – The hostel has long reception hours. Ms. Cam and the rest of the team may not be in the reception area all the time, but they can be contacted via WhatsApp at any time of the day.

Friendly and Amazing Host Family – Ms. Cam and her family are great hosts. They make sure guests have a great time, from check-in to check-out. They also provide their WhatsApp number for questions or emergencies.

Secured Hostel Premises – The property is equipped with security cameras to ensure everyone’s safety.

Flexible Booking Terms – The hostel has a very flexible cancellation policy. Guests can cancel up to 1 day before the intended check-in date at no cost. They also honor the pay upon check-in mode of payment.

Hostel Experience

I had a homey stay at Long Hostel Saigon. I have been to many hostels around the world, and I found this hostel to be one of the very few that felt like home.

Allow me to elaborate on what I liked about this property. First, Long Hostel Saigon’s rates are one of the best and most affordable for private rooms in the area. Second, the hostel is in the center of Saigon’s backpacker district. It is near everything a tourist needs during his or her visit.

Third, Long Hostel offers a hearty and filling complimentary breakfast. I was surprised when Ms. Cam told me of this perk during check-in because I knew this was not included or indicated in my booking confirmation. I highly recommend their banana pancakes, fresh passion fruit juice (as shown below) and iced coffee.

Fourth, Long Hostel has a fast and reliable wi-fi connection. The hostel’s connection is perfect for those working remotely. Fifth, Ms. Cam and her family consider their guests as members of the family. They are very warm, friendly, and hospitable. Ms. Cam even gave me her WhatsApp number and advised that I could message her if something wrong happened at any time of the day.

Lastly, Ms. Cam and her family offer exemplary service to their guests. Ms. Cam made sure she was present in the hostel to welcome me during check-in and to send me off after check-out. She also did everything to have the broken air conditioning system in my room fixed within 2 hours after I notified her via WhatsApp.

I did not expect this property to have the usual hostel activities because it is run by a small host family. I read from past reviews that they also offer free beers during the night, but I was not able to experience it since I was out during those times. The only minor inconvenience I found during the stay was the lack of lifts on the property. It would be difficult for those with big luggage and heavy bags to go up the higher floors. It is not a big issue, but I believe it is a factor for some guests, so I had to take note of it.

Other than that, I had a lovely stay at Long Hostel Saigon. Ms. Cam was an amazing host. I recommend this property to all of you. I hope you can consider staying with them on your next trip to Saigon.

Interested in booking a stay with them? Feel free to reach out to Ms. Cam and the property on these platforms:

Long Hostel Saigon
Address: 373 / 10 Đ. Phạm Ngũ Lão, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Phone Number: +84 90 894 71 78
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/longhostelsg

This sums up my stay at Long Hostel Saigon. I hope you can consider staying in this amazing family-owned property in Ho Chi Minh City. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

A Dream Come True Part 2: 24 DAYS Around FRANCE, ITALY & SPAIN For Less Than ₱170,000 ALL IN – Airfare, Accommodation, Food, Museum Tickets & Transportation Included

I flew to Europe alone in 2019 and explored 4 countries – The Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and Denmark – for 19 days and spent a little over ₱117,000 for everything. The total expense included return flights via Singapore Airlines, hostel accommodations, visa application fees, travel insurance and daily expenses. Cheap-o, right? I honestly cannot believe I did it that time. I hope you can check out all the details of this life-changing EU solo trip here – Going Solo in Europe category.

Fast forward to 2022 when prices of everything went up, I did not think I will be able to do it again. In early to mid-2022, my friends and I talked about flying to Europe for a few weeks towards the end of the year. After months and weeks of planning and visa applications, we finally flew to Europe in November 2022 for holiday. I, with some friends, went around France, Italy and Spain for 24 days.

Guess what? I spent a little over ₱167,000 ALL IN for this 3.5-week trip! Curious how I made it happen? Let me share the breakdown of travel expenses below.

Air Tickets

Back in 2020, I booked a ticket with Emirates from Hong Kong to Munich and back from Budapest to Hong Kong for only HK$4,039 or ₱27,072.73 for October 2020. The pandemic happened; I was not able to use that ticket.

Luckily, Emirates offered the most flexible option for tickets booked that year. They offered to keep the ticket and extended its validity for 3 years. They allowed passengers to book their tickets when they are ready to fly. On top of that, they also allowed the passengers to change the airports of origin and destination as long as the airports are within the same Emirates region. Emirates also waived all fare difference, rebooking and change fees.

After securing my tourist visa last October 2022, I called Emirates and advised them my preferred dates and flight schedules. I got my new ticket in less than a minute after I ended the call. I wrote about my Emirates flight experiences last year under the Flight Reports category – EK 335 Manila to Dubai, EK 073 Dubai to Paris CDG, EK 256 Barcelona to Dubai and EK 332 Dubai to Manila. I hope you can check them out.

My friends and I also booked our inter-country tickets before flying to Europe. We flew with Air France from Paris, France to Rome Italy and paid ₱6,854.74 for a one-way ticket. After Milan, my friends all flew back to Manila while I continued my journey to Barcelona. I flew with Vueling from Milan, Italy to Barcelona, Spain. I got my ticket 2 months before the trip and paid ₱3,442.29 for this one-way ticket.

On top of these flights, I also paid the Philippine Travel Tax of ₱1,620 before leaving Manila. This travel tax is required for all Filipinos going out of the country for holiday or vacation.

Accommodation

I mentioned in my 2019 Euro trip summary that accommodations in the continent are expensive. After the pandemic, I noticed that accommodation rates got more expensive in general. I still cannot afford staying in these hotels and private rooms so I opted in staying with hostels again! I am happy I found a travel buddy / friend who is also keen on staying in hostels to save some cash. Just like before, I stayed in popular and high-rated hostels found in central and well-recommended locations.

I stayed with Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels for 4 nights in Paris (€147 paid during check-in), The Romehello for 5 nights in Rome (€89,26 paid through Agoda days before check-in), YellowSquare Florence for 4 nights in Florence (€95,60 paid during check-in), YellowSquare Milan for 4 nights in Milan (€109,24 paid during check-in) and YEAH Hostel Barcelona for 4 nights in Barcelona (₱5,589.42 paid through Agoda in Philippine Peso).

Travel Insurance

Schengen tourist visa applications require a travel insurance with up to €30,000 medical coverage for the duration of the trip, some even up to 15 to 30 days after the trip.

I got my travel insurance from Oona Insurance (previously known as Mapfre Insurance) and paid ₱1,969.43 (€34.95) for a 35-day coverage.

Schengen Tourist Visa

I applied for my own tourist visa with the Italian Embassy in the Philippines’ Visa Center – VIA Italy. I paid ₱4,494 (€80) for the visa fee and ₱1,350 for the visa handling fee including the courier fee / service. I opted for the passport pick-up to make sure I get the visa in time for my trip. I previously shared in this website how I got my Schengen tourist visa from VIA Italy without the help of any tour agency. Check out that Tuesday Tip post here.

Internet Sim Card

Travelling around Europe is a lot easier when you are connected to the internet throughout the trip. I did not want to get lost during the trip so I ordered a 3UK internet sim card from Travel Sim PH Shopee Store (not sponsored). I got the sim card that has 12GB data allocation valid for 1 month after activation. I paid ₱1,521 for this sim card including shipping fee and had it delivered at home weeks before the trip.

Pre-Booked Tickets & Tours

Weeks before our trip, my friend and I booked several tickets that we will use for the trip. We booked our bus tickets from Rome to Florence, Florence to Milan and the return bus tickets to Serravalle Designer Outlet. We also booked entry tickets to museums like the Vatican Museums in Vatican, Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence and the Last Supper in Milan. We also booked day trips to the Colosseum in Rome, Tuscany countryside in Florence and Lake Como in Milan.

All these tickets were booked using our credit cards and cost us ₱20,206.70 each.

Daily Expenses

I tried to set a daily budget for the trip but I noticed I have been spending more than the allotted amount. I decided to just let things go with the flow. Most of the day-to-day expenses came from food and transportation. I brought some euros to Europe and used my credit card for other purchases.

POCKET MONEY

Before leaving for Europe, I managed to change some cash to Euros to serve as my pocket. I changed ₱29,980 worth of Philippine pesos to €500. Towards the end of my stay in Italy, I also withdrew some cash from the ATM. The withdrawal cost me ₱9,435.93 including the international withdrawal charges.

I used the cash for day-to-day expenses like transportation and food. I also used the money to get my Navigo card and Paris Museum Pass in Paris.

TRAVEL EXPENSES CHARGED TO CREDIT CARD

Credit cards are widely accepted in Europe. In fact, it is the preferred mode of payment of some establishments. I used my credit cards a lot of times during the trip – mostly for food and transportation.

FOOD

I tapped my card in a lot of restaurants, fast food chains, hostel buffets and supermarkets during the trip. For instance, I used my card in paying for all the hostel breakfast buffets I availed at The RomeHello and YEAH Hostel Barcelona. I also used it in various restaurants in Florence, Milan and Barcelona. I even used my credit card in getting food from different fast-food chains and supermarkets.

In total, I charged ₱20,424.28 to my BPI Credit Card (not sponsored) only for food.

TRANSPORTATION

I also used my credit card in paying for transportation costs like airport trains, subways, buses and ride-hailing applications such as Uber, Bolt and FreeNow. In total, I charged ₱6,865.51 to my BPI Credit Card (not sponsored) for all transportation-related expenses.

Summary of Expenses

Here is the summary of all the expenses mentioned above.

The total amount spent for this 24-day trip around France, Italy and Spain is ₱167,752.45. This total cost includes flight tickets, accommodation bookings, visa application fees, travel insurance, entry tickets, food and transportation costs.

Please do not get me wrong, ₱167,752.45 is a big amount of money. At the same time, it was everything I spent for a 24-day trip to Europe from the Philippines. It may be a little over 40% higher than my 2019 Euro trip but it is still cheap given all the places I have been to in this trip.

Blog List

Here is the list of blog posts that are related to this 2022 trip to Europe.

FLIGHT REPORTS ✈️

Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 335 – Manila to Dubai – Overnight Long-Haul Flight with the Middle Eastern Global Carrier [November 2022]
Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 073 – Dubai to Paris CDG – Excellent Airbus A380 Superjumbo Flight to the Famous French Capital [November 2022]
Flight Report: AIR FRANCE AF 1304 – Paris CDG to Rome – Short Inter-European Hop to Italy’s Capital City [November 2022]
Flight Report: VUELING VY 6333 – Milan Malpensa to Barcelona – Superb Flying Experience with a Spanish Low-Cost Airline [December 2022]
Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 256 – Barcelona to Dubai – Impressive Intercontinental Flight on a Rare Long-Range Aircraft [December 2022]
Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 332 – Dubai to Manila – Underwhelming Inflight Meals on a Busy & Full Flight Back to Manila [December 2022]

HOSTEL FEATURES 🏨

Hostel of the Day: LE VILLAGE MONTMARTRE BY HIPHOPHOSTELS – Authentic & Affordable Parisian Property in the Artist District
Hostel of the Day: THE ROMEHELLO – Affordable, Hospitable & High-Rated Accommodation That Felt Like Home
Hostel of the Day: YELLOWSQUARE FLORENCE – Lively & Social Hostel Outside (But Near) Florence City Center
Hostel of the Day: YELLOWSQUARE MILAN – Hidden Hostel Gem in Milan’s Porta Romana District
Hostel of the Day: YEAH HOSTEL BARCELONA – 4 Fun & Solid Nights in One of the World’s Best Hostels

VISA APPLICATION ✍️

Tuesday Tips for Philippine Passport Holders: Do-It-Yourself SCHENGEN TOURIST VISA Application with VIA ITALY

PARIS 🇫🇷

N9 Friends in Europe: PARIS – 5 Days Around the Postcard-Perfect French Capital [Days 1 & 2]
N9 Friends in Europe: PARIS – 5 Days Around the Postcard-Perfect French Capital [Days 3, 4 & 5]
N9 Friends in Europe: CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES Day Trip Photoblog
PARIS MUSEUM PASS Review – Is It Worth It?

ROME 🇮🇹

N9 Friends in Europe: ROME – 6 Days Around the Italian Eternal City – Arrival, Colosseum Tour & Trastevere Food Tour [Part 1 of 3]
N9 Friends in Europe: ROME – 6 Days Around the Italian Eternal City – Vatican City, Necropolis Tour & Papal Audience [Part 2 of 3]
N9 Friends in Europe: ROME – 6 Days Around the Italian Eternal City – Rome at Night, City Walking Tour & Departure [Part 3 of 3]

FLORENCE 🇮🇹

N9 in Europe: FLORENCE – The Cradle of Renaissance | 4 Wonderful Days Around the Historic Italian City
N9 in Europe: TUSCANY EXPERIENCE CLASSIC TOUR Photoblog – A Day Trip to Pisa, San Gimignano & Siena
P’s List: 7 Food Places to Check Out in Florence

MILAN 🇮🇹

N9 in Europe: MILAN – 4 Beautiful Days Around the Italian Business, Shopping & Fashion Capital
N9 in Europe: LUGANO & LAKE COMO DAY TRIP FROM MILAN Photoblog – Exploring 3 Places in 2 Countries in 1 Day

BARCELONA 🇪🇸

N9 in Europe: BARCELONA – 4 Lazy Days Around the Bustling Spanish City

Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Is there anything you want to ask how I planned the trip in general? Or maybe how I made it happen? Feel free to post your questions in the comments section below. You can also send it via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in summarizing my 2022 trip to Europe. I may be months behind in posting everything about this trip but I hope it is never too late to share these details. I would like to thank my N9 friends for joining me in this life-changing and memorable trip to Europe. I cannot wait to go back to the continent in the future!

Feel free to follow me on my social media channels for more information on cheap fares, thrift hacks & fun itineraries – Facebook & Instagram. I will end this post with this statement. I DID IT AGAIN – 24 DAYS AROUND FRANCE, ITALY & SPAIN FOR LESS THAN ₱170,000 ALL IN AND I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: YEAH HOSTEL BARCELONA – 4 Fun & Solid Nights in One of the World’s Best Hostels

After spending 2.5 weeks around Paris and the major Italian cities – Rome, Florence and Milan, I flew to the next and last destination city of this 2022 European trip – Barcelona, Spain. My friends all flew back to the Philippines while I extended for a few more days in Spain to meet with an old friend.

I spent 4 full days in the city and had a fun and solid stay with one of the world’s best hostels – Yeah Hostel Barcelona. This hostel will be today’s hostel of the day feature. Read on below to know why Yeah Hostel should be the hostel you need to book when visiting Barcelona.

Yeah Hostel Barcelona

Yeah Hostel Barcelona opened its doors to the public 7 years ago in 2016. Located in the busy Eixample District, the 7-storey hostel building accommodates hundreds of guests in its private and dormitory rooms. The hostel has complete facilities and amenities; it even has a rooftop terrace and a swimming pool.

This high-rated hostel is known for its social vibe where guests meet with co-travelers and guests through the daily hostel walking tours, dinners and night party events. The hostel has won multiple awards from Hostelworld over the past years – 3^rd, 4^th and 8^th Best Large Hostel in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 10^th Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers in 2020. These awards are testaments to the hostel’s reputation over the years.

Location & Access

Yeah Hostel Barcelona is located at Carrer de Girona 176, 08037 Barcelona, Spain. It is within the Eixample District and is located between Passeig de Gràcia and Sagrada Familia. The hostel is near Verdaguer Station of the Barcelona Metro Lines 4 and 5 and Diagonal Station of the Metro Line 5.

The hostel is in a busy commercial neighborhood; it is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, specialty shops and supermarkets. The nearest restaurant is literally beside the hostel while the nearest supermarket is within 100 meters. It is also near known landmarks such as La Pedrera-Casa Milà (750 meters away by foot), Sagrada Familia (1.1 kilometers away by foot) and Casa Batlló (1.3 kilometers away by foot). It is also near Passeig de Gràcia – one of Barcelona’s most famous shopping and commercial street.

Guests can easily reach Yeah Hostel from Barcelona’s major transportation hubs. Those flying in can take the Aerobus from Barcelona El Prat Airport and get off at Plaça de Catalunya. From there, they can either walk 20 minutes up to the hostel doors. They can also take the Metro Line 4 towards Trinitat Nova, get off at Verdaguer Station and walk to the hostel. From Sants Train Station, guests need to take Metro Line 5 towards Vall d’Hebron and get off at Verdaguer Station. From Barcelona Nord Bus Station, guests can take Metro Line 1 towards Hospital de Bellvitge, get off at Urquinaona Station and change to Metro Line 4 towards Trinitat Nova and get off at Verdaguer Station.

The hostel’s location is an easy 10 out of 10. It is practically near everything; it is also accessible to all modes of public transportation making it easy for guests to go to the property.

Room Options

Yeah Hostel Barcelona has both dormitory and private rooms.

The hostel dormitory rooms are configured as follows: 6-bed female dormitory room, 6-bed mixed dormitory room, 4-bed female dormitory room and 4-bed mixed dormitory rooms. All these dormitory rooms feature in-room shower and ensuite, air conditioning and heating systems, a table and chair (per room), lockers, daily housekeeping and free Wi-Fi connection. All dormitory beds have curtains, a pillow, blanket, individual lights, a small console and personal lockers under the beds. Towels and padlocks are not included and are available for rent from reception.

The private rooms are configured as follows: 6-bed private room (3 bunk beds), 4-bed private room (2 bunk beds), quadruple room and double room. These private rooms have the same features as that of the dormitory rooms except for towels which are already included in these rooms. Rates per nights of these rooms depend on where you are booking your stay. Yeah Hostel offers 15% discount if you book with them directly and use the promo code IGDIRECT.

I booked my stay with Agoda 1.5 months before my desired dates and only paid ₱5,589.42 (Yes – in Philippine Pesos) for 4 nights. I paid in Philippine Pesos because I booked the non-refundable ‘pay now’ option. I paid ₱1,397.36 per night for staying in a 4-bed mixed dormitory room. Not bad, right? I don’t very well remember how much but I believe I also paid the city tax (charged per night) upon check-in.

I was assigned a lower bunk bed (request granted) in one of the rooms in 4^th floor. I asked the hostel if they can put my friend and I (with 2 separate bookings) in one room and they granted our request. Our room was clean, spacious for 4 people and had enough space for big luggage.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Yeah Hostel Barcelona has a long list of amenities and facilities which guests can enjoy during their stay.

Free Wi-Fi Access – All hostel guests have access to free Wi-Fi during their stay.

In-House Bar – Yeah Hostel has an in-house bar which offers beers and cocktails for affordable prices. The staff also gives out complimentary nuts / snacks to those who buy drinks.

Affordable Breakfast Buffet – Guests can avail the hostel’s breakfast buffet for only €7 per person (December 2022 rate). The buffet starts at 8:00am and is open until 11:00am.

Cozy Communal Lounge – The hostel has a cozy communal lounge located just above reception. It is the first hostel I have seen that has a bed in the communal lounge area.

Kitchen & Dining Area – Yeah Hostel also has a communal kitchen and dining area where guests can cook, prepare and eat cooked food or food from outside.

Free Coffee & Tea – The hostel offers free coffee and tea for those who want to have some.

Rooftop Terrace & Swimming Pool – Yeah Hostel has a rooftop terrace and swimming pool that offers a beautiful view of the area. This area was ghosted during my visit because it was the winter season.

In-Room Shower & Toilet – All hostel rooms are equipped with separate shower and toilet areas.

Air Conditioning & Heating Systems – All rooms are also equipped with air conditioning and heating systems. Guests can turn these systems on or off but cannot change the temperature. Please reach out to reception if you need to change it.

Computer Access – Hostel guests who need to research or plan out their next trip can use the computers found near the reception area.

PlayStation & Boardgames – Guests can play games using the PlayStation or the boardgames found in the communal area.

Library / Book Exchange – Yeah Hostel has a small library where guests can read and/or exchange books.

Laundry Facilities – Guests who need to wash their clothes can use the hostel’s laundry facilities located near the communal lounge.

Daily Walking Tours – The hostel hosts free (tip-based) walking tours everyday at 11:00am. These tours are either happen in the Gothic Quarter or modern area where the Sagrada Familia is located.

Daily Hostel Dinners – The hostel hosts dinners for a small fee (sorry I forgot how much) at 9:00pm every day. This dinner includes a starter, a main course, a dessert and a drink.

Nightly Pub Crawls – After dinner, the hostel staff asks around who wants to join the nightly pub crawl or party tour. This tour comes with a free but already includes the entrance fee to a club.

24-Hour Reception – Leaving early or arriving past midnight? No problem – Yeah Hostel’s reception is open 24 hours every day.

Luggage Storage – The hostel offers luggage storage to guests who are waiting for check-in or who have already checked-out of the property. Please reach out to reception if you need to have your bags stored for a while.

Daily Housekeeping – The hostel staff cleans all rooms and facilities every day.

Friendly & Amazing Staff – Yeah Hostel’s staff are one of the friendliest I have dealt with in a long while. They make sure that guests have a memorable and enjoyable stay at the hostel. They also engage guests into conversations.

Lift Access – Guests who bring large suitcases need not to worry about carrying their bags up to the stairs. They can use the hostel’s lift for easier access.

Secured Hostel Access – The hostel doors can only be opened by the staff assigned at reception. Guests need to ring the bell to request the door to be opened. On top of that, the hostel rooms can only be accessed via key cards assigned during check-in.

Secured Hostel Premises – The hostel is equipped with security and surveillance systems that keep the premises safe and watched all the time.

Hostel Experience

As the title says, I had a fun and solid 4-night stay with Yeah Hostel Barcelona. I have stayed with many hostels in the past and I must agree with Hostelworld – Yeah Hostel is indeed one of the best hostels in the world!

Allow me to share my insights on why I believe Yeah Hostel is one of the world’s best based on my stay. First, the hostel offers reasonable rates (2^nd cheapest in this trip after The RomeHello) for such a great location. It is in the middle of the city between Passeig de Gràcia and Sagrada Familia. Second, the hostel amenities are top-notch and well-maintained; the rooms are spacious too. The hostel dormitory beds even have curtains which is rare to find in Europe.

Third, the hostel provides an excellent breakfast buffet for only €7 per person (December 2022 rate). They serve breads, pastries, fruits, eggs with hot and cold drinks. Fourth, the hostel offers fun and memorable activities. From daily free (tip-based) walking tours, to hostel dinners and pub crawls, the staff makes sure that the guests have an unforgettable time. They may not offer an extensive list of activities like other hostels do, but they surely make it up in the quality of the activities they offer.

Fifth, the hostel staff are beyond amazing. From Pablo, to Leo, to everyone at reception, kitchen, bar and even housekeeping. They are all friendly, nice and hospitable. They are like your friends whom you have known for a long time. Last and probably the best part of staying in Yeah Hostel Barcelona is the hostel’s vibe. Everyone (staff and co-guests) is warm, respectful and friendly. You will surely meet a lot of people in the hostel and spend great times with them.

The only not-so-good experience I had with the hostel is the longer-than-usual waiting time in the elevator especially during check-out hours. Honestly, I did not mind the long waiting time because I had a great stay with the hostel.

Will I go back and stay again with Yeah Hostel Barcelona? For sure, I will. This hostel will be my go-to hostel when coming to Barcelona! Planning to contact

Yeah Hostel Barcelona? Here are the platforms where you can reach them:

Yeah Hostel Barcelona
Address: Carrer de Girona 176, 08037 Barcelona, Spain
Phone Number: +34 935 310 135 | +34 636 711 346
E-mail Address: info@yeahhostels.com
Website: www.yeahhostels.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/yeahhostels
Instagram: www.instagram.com/yeahhostels

Are you looking into staying with Yeah Hostel Barcelona? Do you have any questions about the hostel or anything mentioned above? Feel free to post your questions in the comments section below. If you are shy enough to comment, you may also send you questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You’ll find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome & Z Hostel here in the Philippines. Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.