Category: Hostel Of The Day

Hostel Of The Day: OAK HOSTEL ZEN – My Favorite Tokyo Hostel

UPDATE – My favorite, Oak Hostel Zen, has ceased operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I am keeping this Hostel of the Day feature to give tribute to this wonderful hostel.

It’s time for another hostel feature! It’s been 3 years since I first went to Japan with my high school buddies. Oh missing those good times! I’ve also been to Japan thrice after that trip & I can say that there’s this one Tokyo hostel which instantly became my favorite – Oak Hostel Zen. This favorite hostel of mine will be featured as today’s Hostel Of The Day. I’ve stayed in Oak Hostel Zen thrice – that’s 3 out of 3 trips / stopovers in Tokyo. The hostel is part of Oak Hotel Group, a local hostel / hotel group which caters to both local & foreign travelers.  The group has 7 properties across Tokyo & Nara in Japan.

I’ve mentioned Oak Hostel Zen in my previous posts – 9 Days in Japan for less than ₱40,000, Fujikawaguchiko Blog, Fujikawaguchiko & Takayama for less than ₱35,000 & Hokkaido Winter Trip for less than ₱45,000. None of these posts provided a comprehensive review of this property. Fret not, I will give you a detailed feature of Oak Hostel Zen below plus give you my thoughts about staying in this hostel.

Location & Access

Oak Hostel Zen is located in 3-3-3, Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0003. It is located in a peaceful residential area in Taito, Tokyo. The hostel is about 7 minutes walk from Uguisudani Station on JR Yamanote Line or about 10 minutes walk from Iriya Station on Hibiya Line.

Oak Hostel Zen’s neighborhood – a quiet residential area in the city

From Narita Airport, one must take the Keisei Line to Nippori Station (90 minutes – all stops for ¥1,000) or the Keisei Skyliner to Nippori Station (40 minutes – limited stops for ¥2,400) then transfer to JR Yamanote Line Nippori Station to Uguisudani Station (less than 2 minutes – 1 stop for ¥130). From Haneda Airport, guests should take Keisei Line to Shinagawa Station (¥400) then transfer to JR Yamanote Line / Keihin-Tohoku Line Shinagawa Station to Uguisudani Station (¥160). From Uguisudani Station, one should take the south exit, turn left, cross & go down the bridge. Cross the street, then turn right, then turn left on the 1st street & turn another left in the street of the small supermarket.

Over JR Uguisundani Station

There are nearby local restaurants & shops. The nearest supermarket is about 10 meters away from the hostel’s door & the nearest convenience store is about 5-10 minutes walk. The hostel’s location is perfect for everyone. It is far from the city noise & it is where everything you need is just a few minutes away.

Room Options & Pricing

Oak Hostel Zen caters to all types of travelers, from those who are in budget to those who want to have privacy. In my 3 stays in this hostel, I’ve always slept in their 8-bed mixed / male dormitory rooms. The dormitory room is very spacious with each bed having curtains, comfortable pillow & Japanese- style bedding, individual reading light & universal power outlet. Each guest also has an individual locker with a hanger. Dormitory beds cost from ¥2,300 per night, depending on season. Showers & toilet are communal & can be found on each floor.

The male & mixed dormitory rooms look like this!

The hostel also has single dormitory rooms for ¥2,800 per night, depending on season. According to the hostel website, Oak Hostel Zen also has private rooms for those who want to have their own personal space. Twin rooms, semi double rooms (with own shower) & double rooms are also available for ¥5,980 per night, depending on season. Each room has a small desk, a cable TV & a small refrigerator. Families of 4 can book a family room for ¥16,000 per night, depending on season. The en-suite room has 4 single beds & has the same features of the other private rooms.

How a dormitory bed looks like in a male / mixed dormitory room

All these rooms, including the dormitory rooms, are air-conditioned. Oak Hostel Zen’s rates are reasonable for an expensive city like Tokyo. You definitely get what you pay for. I suggest that you compare the room pricing from different booking platforms such as Agoda, Traveloka, Booking.com & Hostelworld to get the best possible rate. Also, book early because rooms, especially the private ones, get fully-booked really fast.

Perks of Staying In Oak Hostel Zen

Hostels in Japan have all the facilities & amenities a guest needs. Oak Hostel Zen is one of the few hostels that provide a long list of perks for their guests. Check out these perks below.

Free WiFi

The hostel offers free ultra fast WiFi to all its guests. The WiFi signal is available in all corners of the property, even in the showers & toilets.

Communal Shower & Toilet

Dormitory & selected private room guests have access to communal shower & toilet facilities. These showers come with hot & cold water plus free shampoo, conditioner & body soap. The hostel also has a women-only shower area & unit bath. Bath towels can be rented in the reception area for a minimal fee. Hair dryers, curling & hair irons are also free of charge. Check with reception where you can find them.

Only in Japan – high technology toilets

Communal Kitchen & Dining Area

The communal kitchen & dining area is behind this communal wash area

Hostel guests have access to a fully-equipped kitchen & dining area. This area is complete with cooking utensils, refrigerator & a microwave oven. Plates, cutlery, glasses & cups can also be used. They also have complimentary coffee & tea. Unfortunately, the hostel doesn’t serve breakfast.

Spacious Lounge Area

Guests have access to a spacious lounge area near reception. This lounge area has comfortable seats & even has a personal computer to use. Guests can also watch movie with the free DVDs & can play games with the gaming consoles for free. The hostel also has a wall full of flyers & tour booklets where you can get information about Tokyo & all other places in Japan.

Free Luggage Storage

The hostel offers free luggage storage up to 1 week before check-in (make sure to inform them beforehand & include your booking details & check-in day) & during the day of the checkout. If you want to store luggage after your checkout day, they charge a minimal fee per day.

Coin Lockers

Dormitories have individual lockers, but private rooms don’t have safety boxes. For those who want to store important items in a secured place, you can use the coin lockers near the reception area.

Coin lockers found in the 1st floor hallway

Long Reception Hours

Hostel reception is open from 6:00 am to 1:00 am every single day. Check-in time is 3:00 pm & checkout is 10:00 am.

Friendly Hostel Staff

Oak Hostel Zen’s people are one of the nicest & the most helpful ones I’ve encountered in Japan. They give really good recommendations & try to help as much as they can. The staff speak very good English too. They always greet you every time you pass by the reception area.

Oak Hostel Zen reception & main lobby

Dedicated Smoking Area

Smoking is not allowed inside the rooms & in the common areas. The hostel has a designated smoking area for those who want to smoke during their stay. If I can remember it right, the smoking area is located on the 1st floor.

Bicycle Rental

The hostel offers bicycle rental for ¥500 per day + ¥3,000 deposit. Feel free to ask reception for details.

Coin-Operated Laundry

Oak Hostel Zen also has coin-operated laundry & dryer on the 3rd floor. I haven’t used this facility, but don’t be shy to ask reception how to.

Seasonal Hostel Events

The hostel also hosts seasonal events like Halloween parties, holiday celebrations & random guest meet-up events. Make sure to like & follow them on Facebook to know more about the next event.

Guest Photo Wall

Our 1st photo is still there!! 😍

One unique feature of Oak Hostel Zen is their guest photo wall. They take photos of their guests after checkout & post these photos on the walls around the reception area. I already have 2 photos (missed a photo during my 2017 trip) in their photo wall! I can’t wait to see the photos again when I go back there soon.

Another photo to be added to their photo wall – taken last February 😍

Oak Hostel Zen is one of those hostels which you won’t get tired of going back to. I’ve stayed there thrice in the last 3 years & I still look forward to staying there again. The rooms are very spacious, the beds are very comfortable & the facilities are superb. The hostel’s location is perfectly quiet. The supermarket a few meters away from the hostel is a big bonus. This hostel is well-recommended, definitely my favorite in Tokyo & in Japan.

If you have any questions about Oak Hostel Zen, feel free to contact them in the details below:

Oak Hostel Zen
Address: 3-3-3, Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0003, Japan
Phone Number:+81 3 5808 7418
Fax Number: +81 3 5808 7419
Email Address: hostel-info@oakhostel.com / oakhostelzen@gmail.com
Website: oakhostel.com/zen
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Oak-Hostel-Zen-オークホステル禅-854047354610911

Cherry blossoms found in Ueno Park (15 mins walk from Oak Hostel Zen)

I have plans of flying back to Japan in February next year. Is there a cool or a hippie hostel in Tokyo which is worth-checking out? I’m leaning towards staying at Oak Hostel Zen again but I am also open to suggestions. Feel free post your suggestions in the comment section below. Do you have travel or hostel-related questions? Connect with me! Send your questions via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also connect me via the following social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Like & share my Facebook page too!

Thanks for reading this post & until the next hostel of the day! ✌️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11& HTC RE.

Hostel Of The Day: THE POD SYDNEY – Minimalist & Contemporary Hostel In The Middle Of A Busy City

I recently got back from a week long trip to Australia. I explored Sydney with my college friends for 5 days & spent quality time with my cousins & relatives in Brisbane for 3 days. In my first 3 nights in Sydney, I stayed in a minimalist & a contemporary capsule hostel called The Pod Sydney. Let me share with you some information about this hostel plus I will give you some insights on how my stay went.

Location & Access

The Pod Sydney is located in Level 6, 396 Pitt St Sydney 2000. It is located in the middle of the busy city, in the corner of Goulburn & Pitt Streets. Access to this property is very easy. It is about 7-10 minutes walk from the Central Station. The other 2 nearby stations are Town Hall & Museum Stations, which are both few minutes walk from the hostel. Train fares from the domestic & international airports start from $16.90, depending on which station you board or get off.

The Pod Sydney is located on Level 6 of 396 Pitt St building in Sydney

Another way to go to the hostel is by an airport shuttle bus. It costs around $15 per person & can be availed in the airport arrival halls or online via Klook. You can also take an Uber or a taxi which will cost around $30-$40 per way.

The hostel is strategically located in the city & is very accessible to public transportation. There are also convenience stores & restaurants in the area. The nearest supermarket is a crossing away. I took the train from the airport to Central Station for $16.90 & walked to the property which is less than a kilometer from the train station.

Pricing & Room Options

The Pod Sydney offers both dormitory & private rooms. According to the property’s website, a night in a dormitory room costs $59 while a night stay in a private twin / double room costs $129. Dormitory rooms can be converted to private rooms for 4 or 6; these rooms cost $239-$349 per night. The rates look expensive, but these are the maximum rates. In fact, you can get the dormitory bed for as low as $35 per night. I booked my stay with Agoda & it cost me $105 for 3 nights, that’s $35 a night. Rates vary per website so watch out for those deals & discounts available in your preferred booking website.

My spacious dormitory bed in The Pod Sydney

Staying in these capsule-type dormitory rooms & private rooms includes the following: free Wi-Fi access throughout the property, electronic key card access, air conditioning, fresh linen, bath towel & toiletries, free locker (bring your own padlock), individual reading light & power plug. Guests also have access to some facilities which I will share in the next section.

The room / dormitory prices of The Pod Sydney may not be the cheapest in Sydney, but it is still in the cheap accommodation bracket. For such an affordable rate, guests have access to a clean & comfortable accommodation in an expensive city like Sydney.

Facilities

The Pod Sydney may only be located on one level of the building, but this small space didn’t hinder the management in giving its guests a range of amenities.

Communal Kitchen & Dining Area

Guests have access to a fully-equipped kitchen & a spacious dining area. Guests can store some food in the refrigerator & can also cook their own food. They can also use the dining area to eat food & also to meet fellow travelers. Guests also have access to free tea & coffee. This area has a vending machine which has snacks & drinks.

Television Area

The Pod Sydney has a television area where guests can watch shows & hang out with other guests. It is a good place to meet with other guests & travelers. This area also has a nice view of the city.

Luggage Store Room

Guests can store their luggage for free on the days of check-in & checkout only. The hostel does not accept overnight luggage storage.

Lobby Lounge

The hostel has a lobby lounge which guests can use while waiting for check in or check out. This area has a wide range of tour brochures which guests can get.

Communal Toilet & Shower Areas

All guests have access to communal toilet & shower areas. The male & female amenity area is located between the reception area & the kitchen & dining area. The hostel also has a dedicated disabled toilet & shower for guests who require disable mobility.

Limited Reception Time

Reception is open from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm daily. Check-in is from 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm while checkout is until 11:00 am. The hostel receptionists & staff are very nice & helpful. You can also ask reception for airport shuttle & printing services. Charges may apply.

The Pod Sydney’s reception area

Laundry Facilities

The Pod Sydney has a coin-operated washing machine & dryer which the guests can use. Just ask the reception where the machine is & how to use it.

The Pod Sydney is perfect for those who are looking for a minimalist, modern & cheap accommodation in Sydney. It offers both private & shared rooms for affordable rates. The Pod Sydney may not be as social as the other hostels in the city, but its facilities make up for it. I was not able to fully enjoy the facilities & amenities of the hostel ,but I am happy that I had a comfortable & peaceful stay in The Pod Sydney. I’ll definitely check this out again when I fly back to Sydney in the future.

Feel free to contact The Pod Sydney in the contact details below:

The Pod Sydney
Address: Level 6, 396 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone Numbers: +61 2 8959 1293 / +61 411 476 966
Email Address: thepodsydney@gmail.com / service@thepodsydney.com.au
Website: www.thepodsydney.com.au
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/thepodsydney

Have you been to The Pod Sydney? How was your stay? Are you flying to Sydney soon & looking for a place to stay? Make sure to check out this hostel / capsule hotel. It’s worth every penny. Do you have any questions about my stay? Feel free to post a question in the comments below. You can also contact me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com or contact me via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Watch out for my feature about Bounce Hostel Sydney & my upcoming blogs about Sydney & Brisbane. Thank you for reading! ✌

Hostel Resort Of The Day: BRAVO BEACH RESORT SIARGAO – Reasonably Priced Shared Luxury Accommodation in Paradise Island

Two weeks ago, my friend & I went to Siargao for a quick 4-day break from the busy metro life. I know I’ve just been to Palawan last month, but I wasn’t able to resist the promotional ticket I got last February. We stayed at Bravo Beach Resort in our 4 days in Siargao.

Hostel Resort of the day: Bravo Beach Resort Siargao!

Bravo Beach Resort is a highly-rated luxury (island standards) resort in Siargao. This resort features a traditional x modern rooms, a garden, an on-site bar & restaurant, a swimming pool & beach access. The resort basically provides everything a guest needs. Technically, this resort is not a ‘hostel,’ but they have dormitory rooms for those who want to share rooms & meet new people during their respective trips – one of the reasons why I’m featuring this resort in my site.

Location & Access

Bravo Beach Resort is located along Tourism Road in General Luna. The resort is located by the beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is 3 kilometers away from the world-famous Cloud 9 Surfing Area.

Inside Bravo Siargao – on the way to the rooms. 😍

The nearest airport to Bravo Beach Resort is Sayak Airport (also known as Siargao Airport) located in Del Carmen, Surigao Del Norte. From the airport, one can take a public van transfer to town for only ₱300. The van driver will drop you off in front of the resort. You can also hire a tricycle from the airport to General Luna for ₱500 per way. Same rates apply for transfers from the town to the airport.

The resort reception offers airport transfers for a higher fee of ₱400 per way. If you want a hassle-free & door-to-door private transfer, feel free to contact the reception.

Surf Bunk Room

Bravo Beach Resort offers 3 types of luxurious accommodation rooms – Garden Room, Double Room & Surf Bunk Room. The first 2 room types are private rooms while the surf bunk room can be shared with other guests. You can head over to the resort’s website for more details about the rooms.

Inside Bravo’s Surf Bunk Room

My friend & I decided to stay in the surf bunk room for 3 nights. A night stay in this 4-bed dormitory room costs ₱1,200. It may be double or triple the price of a regular dormitory bed accommodation (usually ₱300 – ₱500 per night on average) in Siargao but I tell you, the expensive rate is worth it.

That’s me in front of the mirror – shower room’s in the left & toilet’s in the right

The air-conditioned surf bunk room has 2 bunk beds with 4 individual beds. Each bed features a pillow, clean sheets, bath & pool towels, a plug & a reading light. Each guest has his / her own locker. The rooms have a separated shower area (with hot water) & toilet, plus a balcony / small lounge area outside. Daily complimentary breakfast is included in the rate. Breakfast time is from 7:00 am to 10:00 am only. Take away breakfast is not allowed.

Breakfast is served – so good!

Breakfast menu – you can personalize your meal!

We showed our bunk room to some of our friends who were not staying in Bravo & they all said that the ₱1,200 daily charge is worth the price. It may be expensive compared to the island’s standard rates, but we had a relaxing, luxurious & mosquito bite-free stay in this surf bunk room. I’ll definitely stay in this bunk room again when I go back to Siargao in the future.

Resort Amenities

Resort’s swimming pool – also open for restaurant guests!

All guests have access to the resort’s beach & swimming pool. The beach is just okay for swimming, but definitely not the best in the island. I mean, the beach view while eating your breakfast or drinking a bottle of cold beer is already enough. The swimming pool is located by the restaurant.

Resort beach – not the best in the island but the view will do 😍

The resort offers free Wi-Fi access all throughout the property. The reception, rooms & bar & restaurant all have Wi-Fi. The connection was good during the first 2 nights. We had a hard time connecting on our last night – we don’t know what happened.

Bar & Restaurant + Sunday Night Party

Bravo Siargao also has an on site Spanish restaurant. The restaurant offers a wide range of international dishes such as tapas, paella & the likes. The food price is not cheap but is reasonable. Food servings are big – could be good for sharing if you’re a light eater. The restaurant sometimes has live music by a band or an artist during dinner time.

Bravo Restaurant at night 😍

Bravo also has an on-site bar which offers beers, cocktails, wines & hard liquors. They have a very famous drink called Pomada. It’s a combination of gin, calamansi juice & sugar. A glass costs only ₱60. My Swedish friend who stayed in Siargao for over a month told me this drink is very cheap & addictive. I think I had more than 20 glasses of that in the whole duration of our stay.

Slow Cooked Coconut Pork Curry (₱290) & a glass of Pomada (₱60) for lunch

Bar parties in Siargao rotate every night. Bravo Beach Resort hosts this bar party every Sunday night. At 9:30 pm, the restaurant turns on a bar with a dance floor in the middle. The resort hosted an epic Sunday night party during our stay.

Bravo’s famous drink & also my favorite – Pomada! No party photos, sorry.

Bar & Restaurant operates everyday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, with the exception of the Sunday bar which closes at 12:00 am to cap off the party.

Tour Desk

Pool & beach view from the resort’s restaurant – so relaxing!

Bravo Beach Resort Siargao also offers daily tours. The tour desk is located in the reception area. The tour dates are updated regularly. I was not able to get the updated tour rates but as far as I can remember, the 6-hour x 3-island tour with lunch costs ₱1,000 per person. Sugba Lagoon tour costs around ₱2,000 per person. Feel free to send the resort an email for the updated tour prices & the tour schedule.

Bravo Beach Resort may not be the cheapest accommodation option in Siargao but their surf bunk room provides a luxurious but affordable experience a guest can get. Surf bunk room guests also get to enjoy the amenities the private room guests have access to. Believe me, it’s worth it. I’ll definitely stay here again when I go back to Siargao.

Feel free to contact the resort & ask if there are availabe rooms / beds for your planned stay. See contact details below:

Bravo Beach Resort Siargao
Address: Tourism Rd, Barangay 5, General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte, Philippines 8419
Phone Numbers: +63 999 877 8518 (Smart) & +63 905 395 5493 (Globe)
Email address: stay@bravoresort.com
Website: www.bravosiargao.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/bravosiargao

Everything in this resort is so beautiful! I’d love to go back soon. 😍

Have you been to Bravo Beach Resort in Siargao? How was your stay? Planning to fly to Siargao soon? Consider staying in this resort – you’ll surely have a good time. Do you have any questions or thoughts in mind? Feel free to post them in the comments below. You can also send those thoughts or questions via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com or feel free to contact me via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Don’t forget to check out the other hostels of the day in this website –  Mad Monkey Hostel Nacpan Beach, The Stay Sapporo & Outpost Beach Hostel El Nido. Thank you for reading & until the next HOTD post. ✌

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Hostel Of The Day: OUTPOST BEACH HOSTEL – Social El Nido Hostel By The Beach

Hello & welcome to the 3rd installment of Hostel of the Day feature of this website. In the previous posts, I took you to Mad Monkey Hostel Nacpan Beach in El Nido & The Stay Sapporo in Japan. This time, I’ll take you back to El Nido, Palawan – same town where the first hostel feature is located. Today, I will walk about our stay in Outpost Beach Hostel.

Last month, my friends & I went on a weekend reunion trip to Palawan. We spent 2 nights in El Nido & another 2 nights in Port Barton. In those 2 nights in El Nido, we stayed in a relatively new but very social hostel named Outpost Beach Hostel. This hostel opened in early 2017; it wasn’t operating yet when I went there in August 2016. The hostel’s atmosphere is very social & both the staff & guests are welcoming & very friendly.

Welcome to our hostel of the day – Outpost Beach Hostel El Nido!

Just like any other Hostel Of The Day post, let me share with you some details & features about this popular El Nido hostel.

Location & Access

Outpost Beach Hostel is located a few minutes from El Nido town, in Sitio Lugadia, Barangay Corong-Corong. This area has a direct beach access & is also a location of many accommodation choices in El Nido. Corong-Corong is known for its magical sunsets & magnificent views of Bacuit Bay. It was raining most of the time during our stay so we didn’t see the beauty of nature.

The hostel is approximately 3 kilometers away from El Nido town, that’s 5-7 minutes away by tricycle. If I remember it right, the fare to town can go as high as ₱60 to ₱100 pesos per tricycle; but it also depends on your haggling skills. El Nido Airport (LIO) is approximately 8 kilometers away from the hostel – also one tricycle ride away from the hostel. Rates to the airport can go as high as ₱200 per way, but again depending on your haggling skills.

If you’re flying to Puerto Princesa International Airport, you can take a 5-6 hour land (van or bus) trip to El Nido. Fares range from ₱400+ for the bus & ₱600 for the shuttle van. For my past trips, I took the shuttle vans & booked with both Camarih Transport & Lexxus Shuttle. Make sure to check their website for the updated rates & schedules. Don’t forget to let the shuttle / bus driver know you’re staying in Outpost – they know where to drop you off.

Room Options & Rates

Inside the 12-bed dormitory room

Outpost Beach Hostel has room options for all types of travelers. While I think this hostel isn’t for families, I still believe they still cater to solo travelers, traveling couples & groups of friends. The hostel has private rooms that can accommodate up to 5 people. Private room rates can go as low as ₱900 per person for the quintuple room & ₱1,000 for the double / twin room. Rates can go as high as ₱1,600 per night for the quintuple room & ₱2,500 per night for the double room during peak season.

Solo travelers can book their stay in their dormitory rooms. As per the hostel website, they have 2 x 12-bed dormitory rooms, 1 x 8-bed dormitory room, 2 x 6-bed dormitory rooms & 6 x 4-bed dormitory rooms. A bed in these dormitory rooms costs from ₱600 to ₱750 per night during off peak season; however prices can go as high as ₱1,000 to ₱1,300 per night during peak season.

This is how the bunk beds look like

All rooms have air conditioning & ceiling fans. Dormitory beds have comfortable mattress & sheets & individual lockers. The 3 of us stayed in the 12-bed dormitory room & we paid around ₱688 each per night via Agoda. You can book your stay via the hostel website or via Agoda.

Hostel Facilities

Guests have access to communal & unisex shower areas & toilets. The showers feature a rainfall-style water flow & hot water system. The design is very modern & stylish. El Nido water is not safe for drinking & for brushing ones teeth. The hostel provides all guests filtered water for brushing their teeth.

Second floor communal area – this place is very quiet every morning

All guests have access to spacious communal lounge areas in the ground floor & 2nd floor. These areas are the best places to meet & chat with your co-guests. We stayed there most of the time & gained a lot of new friends. Guests also have access to a bar & restaurant in the ground floor. The hostel also has a generator set; guests don’t need to worry if there are power interruptions (these interruptions happen a lot in El Nido).

Pretty busy communal area at night – everyone’s busy socializing!

The hostel has a direct access to Corong-Corong Beach. We didn’t have the chance to enjoy the beach as mentioned earlier, it was raining during our stay. They also provide free Wi-Fi to all guests. Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi was not working during our stay. The rainy weather could be one of the reasons why the Wi-Fi was not working.

Overall, the hostel facilities are basic but you get everything you need.

Sunset Bar & Restaurant

The hostel also features an on site sunset bar & restaurant. Guests don’t need to go to town to have some reasonably-priced food & drinks. The restaurant has a variety of food to choose from – be it Filipino or Western food. A breakfast plate can cost as low as ₱220. Lunch & dinner food cost a little bit more. The restaurant pizza is a must-try! Cocktails are priced ₱200 per glass while local beers cost ₱80 per bottle.

Empty hostel bar & reception in the morning

The bar, or should I say, the hostel organizes daily activities / games where guests are free to join / participate. We didn’t see anyone join the gender bender party while we were there, but oh boy everyone had a nice time playing battle beer.

The only thing I didn’t like about the restaurant is it opens at 8:00 in the morning. I think it’s too late? Some people leave the hostel as early as 6:00 am so I believe they should start serving food as early as that.

Tour Desk

Services offered by the hostel tour desk plus the daily hostel activity schedule

Outpost Beach Hostel has an on site tour desk where you can basically book everything. The hostel organizes alternative boat trips (Tours A & C Combination & Tours B & Combination) for only ₱1,500 per person. This rate includes a visit to beautiful islands, caves & lagoons, lunch, boat & guide fees. The hostel also offers van transfers to Nacpan, Port Barton, Sabang & Puerto Princesa & boat tickets to Coron. It’s a one-stop shop for everything you need to do in El NIdo.

My friends didn’t avail tours from the hostel because we’ve tried the tours in our past El Nido visits. Also, all tours during our stay were cancelled for consecutive days due to bad weather.

Verdict

If you are traveling on a budget plus into social drinking & meeting people, then Outpost Beach Hostel is the perfect hostel in El Nido for you. For me, this hostel is a low-key party hostel (in my opinion) but is very social. The facilities & amenities might have minor setbacks (like when Wi-Fi isn’t working & random times when there was no water) but these didn’t affect the charm of this hostel. It’s still one of the best near El Nido town.

My friends & I enjoyed our stay in this hostel. We look forward to coming back to enjoy the beach & to watch El Nido’s beautiful sunset. I just hope the weather will be perfect in our next trip to El Nido.

Outpost Beach Hostel El Nido
Address: Sitio Lugadia, National Highway, Brgy. Corong-Corong, El Nido, Palawan 5313
Phone Number: +‎63 945 128 1729
Email Address: outposthostels@gmail.com
Website: www.outpostbeachhostel.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/outpostbeachhostel

Have you been to Outpost Beach Hostel in a fine sunny weather? How was your experience? Did you witness the famous El Nido sunset? Feel free to share your experiences in the comment section below. Is there a new hostel which you think fits to be the next hostel of the day? Let me know which hostel is this & I’ll have a look at it. You can also communicate with me via email by sending an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com or contact me via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Maraming salamat po sa pagbasa at sa oras. 🇵🇭 Sa uulitin! ✌

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Hostel Of The Day: THE STAY SAPPORO – Budget Sapporo Accommodation With Top-Notch Amenities

Last week, I brought you to one of Mad Monkey Hostels Group‘s newest hostel in Palawan, Mad Monkey Hostel Nacpan Beach in El Nido. I’d like to thank everyone for reading the first ‘Hostel Of The Day’ article. The first article even reached the people at Mad Monkey in Nacpan & they loved it. Thank you for the warm support & feedback on the Hostel Of The Day section of this website.

Welcome to The Stay Sapporo!

Today, I will bring you to Sapporo, Japan. A few days ago, I shared to you the list of places Shane & I went to in Sapporo last February. We spent 5 full days & 5 nights in the city. We didn’t have enough time to go to all interesting places this beautiful city has. In those 5 nights, we stayed in a hostel, or the staff say, a guesthouse called The Stay Sapporo. Let me share to you our experience plus some facts about this accommodation.

Enjoyed the snow fall outside the hostel building ❄

Access

The Stay Sapporo is in Susukino, Sapporo’s entertainment district. This area is where you can find all the best night out spots, bars & clubs. You can also find all sorts of shops & restaurants, plus pachinko centers. The guesthouse is in the quiet part of the district.

Remember this view, this is what you’ll see outside the hostel door.

It can be accessed by foot, about 8 minutes walk from Susukino Station Exit 4 of the Namboku Subway Line (green line) or 10 minutes walk from Nishi 11-Chome Station Exit 2 of the Tozai Subway Line (orange line). It can also be accessed by an 8-minute walk from the Susukino Station bus stop. The 10-storey building can easily be spotted because of the big logo & signage outside the building.

PS. Planning to get your Japan tourist visa soon? Let me give you some tips how I did it. Click this link to know more.

Room Types

The Stay Sapporo caters to all types of travelers. The facility both has a private rooms & dormitory rooms. As per the website, the guesthouse has private rooms for 2 people & up to 6 people, suitable for families & friends on trip. Solo travelers can stay in their 7-bed loft type mixed dormitory room or 8-bed capsule type mixed dormitory room. Solo female travelers who are not comfortable staying in a mixed dormitory room can stay in their 8-bed female capsule type dormitory room.

Inside the 7-bed mixed dormitory – photo from The Stay Sapporo‘s website

Private double rooms cost from ¥5,000 – ¥7,400 per night. The 5 & 6-bed private rooms range from ¥9,500 – ¥22,300 per night. Dormitory beds cost ¥2,300 – ¥3,800 per night. Prices vary depending on season; particularly higher during summer, holiday & snow festival seasons. All rooms have heater, light & air conditioning. Each bed has a soft mattress, comfortable pillow & sheets. It also has access to a private reading light, electrical socket & 2 hangers.

Shane & I stayed in the 7-bed mixed dormitory room. I paid ₱6,354.54 for 5 nights, that’s after a ₱500 discount from Traveloka. I paid ₱1,271 per night – this is a normal hostel bed rate per night in Japan basing it from my previous Japan trips. This nightly rate is very affordable considering the peak winter season.

Amenities

Staying in hostels or guesthouses is very different from staying in a hotel or serviced apartment. Most of the facilities or amenities are shared with other guests. The Stay Sapporo offers the following amenities.

This is what you’ll see upon entering the hostel, beside the reception area

Free WiFi Access

WiFi access is free for all guests of The Stay Sapporo. You will be given the WiFi password upon check-in. Free WiFi is available throughout the building.

Communal Shower Areas & Toilets

Guests have access to communal shower areas & toilets. Each floor has its own shower areas & toilet. All shower areas have free shampoo & bath soap. Ladies can also use the blow dry for free. Take note that they do not provide free toiletries. Either you bring your own or you can rent / buy them from reception. Bath towel rental costs ¥200 while toiletries (not rental! haha) range from ¥100 – ¥200.

Communal Lounge Areas

3rd floor common lounge area

Guests have access to 2 common lounge areas. The main lounge area is near the reception area in the 3rd floor. This main lounge area is also the venue of some activities hosted by the guesthouse. The lounge has chairs & tables, a comfortable sofa & a flat screen cable television; it located beside the dining area & kitchen. The small lounge area is in the 10th floor. This lounge also has chairs & tables, a flat screen cable television & a tatami seating area.

Common Food Preparation & Dining Area

3rd floor communal kitchen – spacious & very clean!

The Stay Sapporo has a spacious kitchen where guests can prepare & cook their own food. The kitchen has a microwave, coffee maker, electric burner & complete kitchen set. Don’t forget to clean all the pans, plates, utensils, glasses & cups you used. It also has a chiller where people can store their food. Make sure to put a label on your own food! Beside the kitchen is the dining area. This is a place where you can talk to other guests & meet people who are also travelling.

Tables & chairs found in the 3rd floor dining area

Coin Laundry

For those who ran out of clothes & need to have the used ones washed, The Stay Sapporo got you covered. Coin laundry is available for guests who need to have their clothes washed.

Smoking Area

Smoking is prohibited inside the building. The Stay Sapporo has 2 designated smoking areas – one in the basement level & one in the 3rd floor balcony, just outside the kitchen & dining area.

Outside the hostel – what a beautiful winter morning! 😍

Pay Parking

Brought your car with you? Don’t worry, the hostel has 10 secured parking spaces in the basement level. Parking costs ¥500 per night. Make sure to check with the staff if there is a free space for your car. If the spaces are full, there is an outdoor public parking beside the building.

Luggage Storage

Guests can store their luggage for free before check-in & after check-out. They have a small luggage room just beside the reception area.

The Stay Sapporo offers a lot of amenities to its guests – probably more than what normally get in a basic accommodation. I guarantee all these areas are clean & well-maintained. In addition to this long list of amenities, The Stay Sapporo has the most welcoming & helpful staff I’ve met. They make sure to answer all questions & they greet you every time you pass by the reception area. The person in the front desk even helped us book a table in the Sapporo Beer Garden for the unlimited lamb lunch & also helped us book a taxi to Sapporo Station when we left.

Food Options

7-Eleven rice meal + 1 L apple tea (from the supermarket) + 2 cheese tarts (from Kinotoya) for breakfast! 😋

The guesthouse prepares breakfast for a fee. Sorry, I forgot how much each breakfast meal cost. Shane & I didn’t avail this option; instead we bought our food in the nearby 7-Eleven or in the supermarket every night before going back to the hostel. There is also a cafe & bar in the ground floor – this bar offers discounts & deals to the guests of The Stay Sapporo.

Honey-glazed chicken & rice plus 1 L milk tea (my favorite!!) bought from the supermarket for breakfast! 😋

Guests can also ask the staff for meal recommendations. The staff will gladly direct you to the best & authentic ones in the area. They will even give you discount / promotion coupons to these restaurants.

Activities

The Stay Sapporo organizes events or activities to encourage participation & dialogue between guests. These activities range sake nights, bar hopping to random chit-chat sessions. Too bad there was no even during our stay! I would love to join one; maybe in my next stay with them. All events are in their Facebook page so make sure to check the page before your stay.

❄ Beautiful night in Susukino! ❄

The Stay Sapporo is the perfect accommodation for someone travelling on budget. You get the best amenities for such an affordable price. I suggest all my readers to stay in this hostel in your next Sapporo trip. I look forward to staying in this hostel again in the future. If you have any questions, feel free to contact them in details below.

The Stay Sapporo
Address: 1008-10 West 9 South 5, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Phone Number: +81 011 252 7401
Fax Number: +81 011 252 7402
Email Address: stay.1@thestaysapporo.com
Website: www.thestaysapporo.com/en
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/thestaysapporo

Snowy The Stay Sapporo entry area – well-recommended place to stay!

Are you planning to go to Sapporo soon? Well you should. Plan early so that it won’t hurt your pockets that much. Did you know that my friend & I went there & tried almost everything for less than ₱45,000? Yes, it’s possible. Click this link to know more.

Do you have any questions about our experience in The Stay Sapporo or in Sapporo in general? Feel free to post the questions below. If you don’t want others to read your query, you can send an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com or contact me via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Thank you for reading! Watch out for the next hostel of the day post. 🙂

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.