hostel of the day – Page 2

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.

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

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.

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: 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.

Hostel of the Day: YELLOWSQUARE MILAN – Hidden Hostel Gem in Milan’s Porta Romana District

After spending 4 full days in the beautiful city of Florence, my friend and I moved to another famous Italian city in the north – Milan. We stayed and explored the city for another 4 days and decided to stay with YellowSquare Milan.

This hostel is a sister of YellowSquare Florence – the hostel we stayed with in Florence. This hostel will be featured in today’s hostel of the day. Join me as I share with you details of this hidden hostel gem in Milan’s Porta Romana District.

YellowSquare Milan

YellowSquare Milan is a sister hostel of YellowSquare Florence; it is one of the 3 YellowSquare properties in Italy. According to the property’s website, the hostel started in 1999 when the founders decided to buy a small apartment and rent out a few beds. 20 years later, the hostel now has 3 high-rated branches in Rome, Milan (this property) and the latest addition to the chain, Florence.

This branch is in the quiet Porta Romana neighborhood in Milan. It has 2 buildings – 6 storey front building and a rear 2 storey building with an open area piazza in the between. Both buildings stand above a common basement level. The hostel caters to hundreds of guests at the same time.

Location & Access

YellowSquare Milan is located at Via Serviliano Lattuada, 14, 20135 Milan MI, Italy. It is located near the old city gate of Milan – Porta Romana. The hostel is a little over 2 kilometers away from the famous Duomo di Milano. It is 350 meters away from Porta Romana Station of Milan Metro Line 3 (Red Line) – 3 stops away from Duomo Station on the same line.

As mentioned above, the hostel is nestled in a quiet neighborhood. It is near to numerous restaurants, shops and supermarkets. It is 10 minutes away by subway (Line 3) to Flixbus’ San Donato pick-up and drop-off points, also 10 minutes away by subway (Line 3) to Milan Central Station, around 15 to 18 minutes by subway (Lines 2 and 3) to Porta Garibaldi Station and about 40 minutes by subway (Lines 1 and 3) to Milan Lampugnano Bus Terminal.

The hostel is 1 hour and 10 to 15 minutes away by train (Line 3 and Malpensa Express) to Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP) and about the same time by subway (Line 3) and bus to Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY) – also known as Milan Bergamo Airport.

Room Options

Like YellowSquare Florence, YellowSquare Milan also has dormitory rooms and private rooms.

The hostel’s dormitory room configurations are limited to as follows: 8-bed mixed dormitory room, 8-bed female dormitory room, 4-bed mixed dormitory room and 4-bed female dormitory room. 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 a pillow, blanket, individual lights and personal security locker. Towels are not included and are available for rent from reception.

The private rooms have the following configurations: single private room, double private room, quadruple private room with 2 bunk beds and sextuple private room with 3 bunk beds. 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. From experience, booking directly with YellowSquare provides the most affordable nightly rates.

My friend and I booked our stay directly with YellowSquare Milan and got 2 beds in a 4-bed mixed dormitory room. We paid €101.24 each for 4 nights. On top of this, we also paid €2 per person per night (rate back in November 2022) for the city tax. In total, we paid €109.24 each during check-in. We were charged by our bank ₱6,644.92 including foreign currency transaction conversion fee – roughly ₱1,661.23 per night. It is still not bad for an expensive city like Milan!

We were assigned the 2 lower bunk beds at Room A505 on the 5^th floor of the main building. We got a smaller room compared to the room we got at the Florence property; we also got a room with a nice bathroom and toilet layout. We enjoyed the views of Milan from this upper room.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

YellowSquare Milan has a long list of facilities and amenities that hostel guests can enjoy.

Free Wi-Fi Access – All guests have an access to a stable and fast open Wi-Fi connection.

In-House Bar & Restaurant – The hostel has an in-house bar and restaurant called The Baretto. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. Breakfast is available from 8:00am to 11:00am. Lunch is served from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm. Dinner options are available from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. The bar is open every day from 8:00am to 2:00am.

Free Beer Upon Check-In – Hostel guests get a beer voucher upon check-in. This free beer can be redeemed anytime during the guest’s stay.

Events Place – YellowSquare Milan has an in-house events place called Salone14. This events place hosts both internal and external events. It is also available for rent / outsider use. Please reach out to the hostel team to know more about the rates.

In-House Club – La Chapel, the hostel’s in-house club, is in the basement level of the hostel building.

Outdoor Courtyard – The hostel has an outdoor courtyard named The Piazzetta. This courtyard is found between the front and rear buildings. It is where some of the hostel activities are held.

Hair Salon – The hostel has a hair salon, named Contesta Rock Hair, in the basement level. Guests can come here for a haircut or a hair treatment at the guest’s expense.

Co-Working Space – Need to work while in Milan? No need to worry. YellowSquare Milan has a co-working space called SmartSquare Milan. A part of the co-working space, The Fixed Spot, is complimentary to hostel guests with prior request at reception. The other areas are open to the public subject to daily or monthly rates.

In-Room Shower & Toilet – Each hostel room (private or dormitory) has an in-room shower and toilet.

Communal Areas – The hostel has communal areas where guests can just sit down, chill and meet with other travelers / guests.

Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – Guests have access to a shared kitchen and dining area at the rear building. The kitchen has complete cooking materials which guests can use to cook food.

Daily Hostel Activities – Just like YellowSquare Florence, this Milan property also hosts daily activities for guests to join and enjoy. These activities can range from walking tours, cooking classes to karaoke sessions, art classes and comedy shows. Please look for the updated schedule near the reception.

Schedule of Hostel Activities back in November 2022

Games Room – The hostel has a dedicated games room where guests can play or have fun with other people. The games room is in the basement level.

Communal Toilets & Changing Rooms – The hostel has available communal toilets and changing rooms near the common areas. Guests do not need to go back to their respective rooms to just use the toilet.

Laundromat Service – Running out of clean clothes to wear? The hostel has a laundromat service which guests can avail for a fee.

Luggage Storage – The property offers luggage storage services for guests who arrived hours before check-in and for guests who are leaving the city in the afternoon or evening after check-out. Please reach out to reception if you want to leave your stuff before check-in or after check-out.

24-Hour Reception – Arriving past midnight or leaving before sunrise? No need to worry about getting in / out. Reception is manned every single time. It is open 24 hours a day for 7 days a week.

Multi-Lingual & Friendly Staff – YellowSquare Milan’s staff speak different languages. They are also friendly and hospitable.

Secured Room Access – Rooms can only be accessed using the key cards provided during check-in.

Lift Access – Travelling with a big luggage? No need to carry it up using the stairs. The hostel has a lift which can be used by all guests. Please note that the lift only works with a hostel key card.

Secured Hostel Premises – The hostel premises are equipped with 24/7 surveillance system. Also, entry to the room areas require an access / key card. It cannot not open to visitors and outsiders.

Hostel Experience

Our stay at YellowSquare Milan was almost the same as our stay at YellowSquare Florence. We may be out most of the day but we managed to stay longer in the hostel this time.

We liked the following about the hostel. First, YellowSquare Milan had the best rates for an expensive city like Milan. On top of these value rates, the hostel also offered a flexible cancellation policy where guests can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the intended stay. Second, the hostel was in a quiet Porta Romana neighborhood away from the busy streets of the city.

Third, the free beer coupon was an added perk. The hostel did not just provide a small beer glass but a big one. Fourth, the hostel had a long list of activities which guests can join. We did not have the time to join these activities but we hope we can in our next stay. Fifth, the YellowSquare Milan staff were nice, friendly and hospitable. They were more welcoming than those from the Florence property. Lastly, we noticed the consistency in the service and product provided by the YellowSquare hostel brand.

The hostel also had some drawbacks. First, I mentioned above that I liked the hostel being in a quiet neighborhood. At the same time, this quiet neighborhood meant that the hostel is located a bit far from the city center. Guests need to take the metro or tram to go and visit the Duomo area.

Second, we got a smaller 4-bed mixed dormitory room in Milan compared to the room we had in Florence. We think the room size was alright but we also cannot help but compare. Third and lastly, we hope the hostel can expand the free drink coupon options to include water, juices and sodas to cater to those who do not drink beer. My friend gave up her free beer and gave it to me simply because she does not drink beer.

These drawbacks did not really affect our stay at YellowSquare Milan. My friend and I enjoyed our time at the hostel. We will surely book our stay again with them in our next trip to Milan.

YellowSquare Milan’s Outdoor Courtyard – The Piazzetta

Do you have questions about YellowSquare Milan? If yes, you may reach out to them on the following platforms:

YellowSquare Milan
Address: Via Serviliano Lattuada,1420135 Milano MI, Italy
Phone Number: +39 028 239 6603
E-mail address: questions@yellowsquare.it / lattuada@bc-hospitality.com
Website: www.yellowsquare.it
Facebook: www.facebook.com/yellowsquaremilan
Instagram: www.instagram.com/yellowsquarehostel

Have you stayed with YellowSquare Milan in the past? Care to share your hostel experience in the comments section below? Do you have any questions about the hostel or my experience? Feel free comment down below. You may also send these questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

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.