Hong Kong's HOTTEST Hostel: 365 Unbeatable Reasons to Stay!
Alright, buckle up, travel junkies! Because I just got back from experiencing Hong Kong's legendary 365 Unbeatable Reasons to Stay! – and let me tell you, it's a wild ride. Forget sterile hotel reviews, this is the real deal. I’m talking warts and all, my friends. So, grab a beer (or a bubble tea, because, Hong Kong!), and let’s dive in.
First Impressions: Chaos, Charm, and… Elevators That Actually Work!
Okay, so getting there? Easy peasy. Airport transfer was a dream. They have this slick airport shuttle that practically hugs you goodbye at the terminal. Now, once you’re in the building… well, it's Hong Kong, baby! But a good kind of chaos. Don't expect pristine, everything-in-its-place order. Embrace the energy! From the 24-hour front desk folks buzzing around like caffeinated hummingbirds, to the (thankfully functioning!) elevator, it's definitely lively. And YES! There's a convenience store right there (essential for late-night snack runs, trust me!).
Accessibility: Does It Welcome Everyone?
Let’s be honest, I’m not in a wheelchair, but I always look for facilities for disabled guests. The website said they were there, but I didn't see a specific breakdown, or pictures. I'm assuming it's a work-in-progress, because the elevators are up to snuff, which is helpful.
Tech Talk: Wi-Fi, LAN, and the Eternal Internet Quest
Okay, internet is a must for me. Freelancer life, you know? Good news: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the gods! It’s actually…decen’t. Not lightning-fast, but good, reliable internet access- the Internet access – wireless was great. Internet [LAN] is also there, but who brings their own LAN cable these days? Seriously though, their internet services are up to par.
My Room: Cozy, Clean(ish), and Actually Comfortable (Especially for Hong Kong!)
Alright, let's get into the specifics. My room? (I chose a non-smoking one, thank you very much!). It was… well, it was perfectly Hong Kong sized. Not a mansion, but hey, you're not here to live in your room, are ya? I think my room had an extra long bed, which was great, because I can be a sprawler. Air conditioning? Absolutely. Air conditioning in public area? Yep. Blackout curtains? Essential for jetlag recovery. Wake-up service? Check. And the best part? Free bottled water. Bless!
I actually really liked the room. All the basics were there- daily housekeeping was a lifesaver for a messy one like me.
Food, Glorious Food! A Culinary Adventure (With a Few Hiccups)
Okay, here's where things get really interesting. The food scene is, let's just say, extensive.
- Breakfast [buffet]: I’m a breakfast person. The Asian breakfast? Amazing- the congee was on point. the Western breakfast? Not bad either.
- Restaurants: They have a few on-site! A la carte in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, and Desserts in restaurant. These were all great, but honestly, sometimes the service was a little frantic.
- Room service [24-hour]: Breakfast in room - YES! Definitely took advantage, and they delivered.
- Snack bar: Great for a quick bite.
Cleanliness: Sanitized or Simply “Clean”?
Daily disinfection in common areas: I saw them doing it! Hand sanitizer everywhere! Hygiene certification? Check (or so they said). The room itself was good, too, but, let's just be honest, it’s Hong Kong. It's never going to be sterile. But I got the feeling they were trying. Rooms sanitized between stays? I hope so! I didn't see the sanitizing equipment personally, but I appreciated that they did the bare minimum. Hot water linen and laundry washing was available, as well.
Ways to Relax: Spa? Sauna? Fitness? Let’s Go!
Okay, deep breath. This place has a lot going on.
- Spa/Sauna: Spa, Sauna, and Steamroom are all there. I’m not a big spa person, but the sauna was a welcome treat after long days!
- Fitness center: I hit the Gym/fitness center a couple of times. Nothing fancy, but it had the essentials.
- Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Didn't get to use the pool, and I kind of regret it.
- Massage, Foot bath: They absolutely have these. And yeah, I got a massage AND a foot bath!
Safety and Security: Feeling Safe?
This is important. 24-hour front desk. CCTV in common areas? Yup. CCTV outside property? Seems so! Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms. Overall, yeah, I felt safe. Safety/security feature was definitely key.
The "Unbeatable Reasons" - Digging Deeper
Alright, let's get down to the core of why this place is supposedly "unbeatable." They've got a ton of stuff.
- Services and Conveniences: Concierge was super helpful. Cash withdrawal (thank goodness!). Laundry service (lifesaver!). Ironing service. Car park [free of charge]. Seriously, the list goes on.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: So many options, I got overwhelmed.
The Quirks:
- The Staff: Honestly, the staff are what makes this place special. They are genuinely friendly, even though they work insane hours.
- The Location: Awesome! Right in the middle of everything. The taxi service makes life easy.
The Imperfections (Because Nothing is Perfect, Duh!)
- The Noise: Hong Kong is loud. The soundproof rooms are helpful, but don't expect complete silence. Also, there are no pets allowed.
The Verdict: Should You Stay?
YES. Absolutely, unequivocally YES. If you’re looking for a cookie-cutter hotel experience, go somewhere else. If you want to experience the real Hong Kong, in all its glorious, messy, beautiful chaos, then book 365 Unbeatable Reasons to Stay! right now. It's not perfect, by any means, but it's real. And the price? Honestly, a steal for what you get.
The Offer: My Crazy-Good Deal to You!
Okay, now for the juicy bits. Because I loved this place so much, I'm gonna give you the inside scoop. Use the code "365MADNESS" when you book directly (I'm not getting paid for this, I just LOVE this place!) and you'll get:
- A guaranteed upgrade to a room with a view (if available)
- A free happy hour cocktail at the bar (because, you deserve it!)
- Early check-in (subject to availability, but I'll put in a good word!)
So, what are you waiting for? Book your Hong Kong adventure NOW! Don't be a tourist, BE AN ADVENTURER!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: JI Hotel Xilin Gol's Secret Paradise!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your grandma's color-coded spreadsheet of a travel itinerary. This is raw, unfiltered, Hong Kong-or-bust chaos, all starting from the hallowed halls of 365 Hostel. Consider yourselves warned.
The (Hopefully) Mostly Coherent Plan: Hong Kong, Baby!
Days 1-3: Arrival and Existential Dread (at least initially)
Day 1: Landing and Lost in Translation (Literally)
- Morning: Arrive at HKG (Hong Kong International Airport). Immediately feel a surge of "holy crap, I'm really here!" mixed with a solid dose of jet lag. Pro tip: try to decipher the MTR signs before you're standing there, bleary-eyed, wondering which orange line leads to… where exactly?
- Afternoon: Navigate the MTR (miraculous moving tubes, honestly) to 365 Hostel. Pray the address I scribbled on a napkin is correct. Turns out, it is! Hallelujah! First impressions of the hostel: clean enough, smells vaguely of disinfectant and instant noodles, and I'm pretty sure that bunk bed is older than me.
- Evening: Dump my bag, fight the urge to nap for 12 hours, and venture out. First stop: a tiny, hole-in-the-wall noodle place. This is where the real fun begins. Ordering is a symphony of pointing, gesturing, and the universal language of "please and thank you." Somehow, noodles appear. Delicious, spicy noodles. Victory! This is what it's all about, right?
- Late Night: Back at the hostel, I try to make friends. Fail miserably. Everyone seems to be glued to their phones. Settle for eavesdropping on a couple trying to decide whether to go to a club in Lan Kwai Fong or try a street food tour. Consider following them. Am too tired. Give up on day 1 - in bed by ten.
Day 2: Sensory Overload and Dim Sum Dreams
- Morning: Rise and feel the weight of the world (or just the weight of yesterday's spicy noodles, likely). Breakfast (if you can call it that) at a local cafe. The coffee is strong, the egg tarts are heavenly, and the constant chatter is a blissful cacophony.
- Afternoon: Embark on my first "official" excursion: a wander through Mong Kok. Oh. My. God. The sheer density of people, shops, and sights is overwhelming. I get completely disoriented, lost in a maze of neon lights and tempting (and slightly suspicious) street food. End up buying a pair of knock-off headphones and a pair of socks with a cat on them. Regret the headphones slightly, then immediately forgive myself.
- Evening: DIM SUM TIME! I found a recommendation for a place everyone raves about. It’s packed. Like, shoulder-to-shoulder, people-elbowing-for-space packed. The chaos is mesmerizing. The trolleys full of delectable, bite-sized treasures feel like a dream come true. This is the experience I had envisioned, and the taste? A million times better! Har gow, siu mai, everything! Forget the weight of the world, I'm in dim sum heaven.
- Late Night: Stumble back to the hostel, feeling pleasantly bloated and somewhat smug. Write in my journal, trying to capture the flood of impressions before they get lost in the haze of jet lag. Realize I forgot to buy water. Big oof.
Day 3: Peak Tram and a Moment of Zen (Maybe)
- Morning: Head to the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak. The queue looks longer than the Great Wall of China. But hey, everyone said it's a must-do, so I suck it up. The ride up is a thrill! The views from the top are undeniably spectacular, even if the air is a little hazy.
- Afternoon: Escape the crowds and find a small, peaceful park. Sit on a bench, people-watch, and attempt to meditate. Fail miserably. Too many distractions: the chatter, the distant sirens, the incredibly cute dog being walked. Give up on being all zen and just enjoy the view. Pretend like I'm more sophisticated than I am.
- Evening: Try to catch the Symphony of Lights show (a nightly light and music show on the harbor). Get there way too early, end up crammed like a sardine in a human can of sardines. The show itself is… underwhelming. The real highlight? The sheer delight of hundreds of people all craning their necks and pointing. Find a quiet spot to enjoy some street food to make up for the disappointing show.
- Late Night: Back at the hostel - still no new friends made. Start to accept that I will be a solo traveler in a sea of phone screen. Reflect on the day (maybe I'm still a little bit jet-lagged…).
Days 4-7: Exploring the Underbelly and Getting Lost on Purpose
Days 4-7:
- Day 4:
- Morning: Take the Star Ferry. Classic. It’s cheap, it's scenic, it's a taste of old Hong Kong. Find a nice little cafe after, it tastes divine.
- Afternoon: Visit the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. Oh, sweet lord… the climb! It is a serious workout but worth it. The sheer number of golden Buddhas (and the ridiculous amount of selfies being taken) is something else.
- Evening: Venture into the hidden alleys of Sheung Wan. Wander, get lost, and embrace the unexpected. Discover a hidden gem of a bar.
- Day 5:
- Morning: Go to a beach! The beaches here are wonderful. Enjoy the sunshine.
- Afternoon: Go to the Hong Kong Museum of Art. I'm not much of a museum person, but I'm surprised at how moved I am by it.
- Evening: Learn some basic Cantonese phrases. It's trickier than I imagined, but still fun.
- Day 6:
- Morning: Go to a local market. Get some gifts for my family.
- Afternoon: Practice more Cantonese.
- Evening: Go to a restaurant and enjoy some more food.
- Day 7:
- Morning: Buy water and more random things.
- Afternoon: Last walk around the city
- Evening: Pack and get ready for the airport.
- Late Night: Stay up late, drink a beer, and realize I'm not ready to leave.
- Day 4:
Random Musings and Imperfections (Because That's Life)
- Food: I'm pretty sure I've consumed more pork buns in the past week than in the entire previous year. No regrets. My stomach might disagree later.
- Language: My Cantonese is limited to "Hello," "Thank you," and "Where is the bathroom?" Pretty much essential skills, right?
- The Hostel Life: The communal kitchen is a minefield of questionable leftovers and aggressive microwave etiquette. The bunk bed is surprisingly comfortable.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: One minute I'm ecstatic, the next I'm contemplating the meaning of life while staring out the window. That's travel, baby! The lows are low, but the moments of awe make it all worthwhile.
- Getting Lost: Seriously, embrace it! That's where the magic happens.
- The People: The locals are generally friendly, even when I unintentionally offend them (which I suspect happens more often than I realize).
- The Weather: Humid. Very humid. Learn to love air conditioning.
Final Thoughts:
This is a journey filled with ups and down, unexpected turns, too much food, and an overwhelming amount of excitement. It's messy, it's imperfect, and it's absolutely brilliant. Now, I'm off to find more noodles. Wish me luck. And if you see a slightly bewildered person wandering around Hong Kong, it's probably me. Say hi (but don't be offended if I look confused)!
P.S. I'm already planning my return. Hong Kong, you have officially stolen my heart (and my wallet).
Unbelievable Fairfield Inn Deal: Stony Creek, VA Awaits!
365 Unbeatable Reasons to Stay? Let's Get Real, Folks! (FAQ's that Don't Suck)
So, what's the *actual* deal with this "365 Unbeatable Reasons" claim? Sounds like marketing fluff, doesn't it?
Alright, alright, I get it. You smell the BS a mile away. And honestly? Yeah, it's a *little* ambitious. 365 reasons? Maybe. But…hear me out. This place, 365, is kinda…special. Think less meticulously crafted, more…chaotic good. The rooftop views? Absolutely a reason. The super-friendly staff (most of the time)? Yeah, definitely. The sheer *vibe* of it all, where you end up chatting with a guy named Boris from Belarus at 3 AM about the existential dread of instant noodles? Priceless. They actually have a whiteboard where guests write down their reasons for loving it. I saw one that just said, "Free toilet paper and a place to cry." Valid. TOTALLY valid.
Location, location, location! Where exactly is this magical hostel? And is it *actually* convenient?
Okay, so location *is* key, and 365 nails it. It's smack-dab in the middle of... Well, a pretty lively part of Hong Kong. Let's just say you're not going to be bored. Think bustling markets, incredible street food (hello, egg waffles!), and easy access to the MTR. Seriously, the MTR is your lifeline here – it's mind-boggling how efficient it is. The only downside? Sometimes the noise. Especially on weekends. You're practically living *in* the city, so be prepared for sirens, shouting in Cantonese, and that constant hum of urban energy. But honestly? It's part of the charm. You're *in* it, not just observing it from a hotel room. Be warned: finding it the first time is a bit of an adventure. Trust me. I got lost for a solid hour, wandering around in circles and sweating like a pig. Eventually, I just asked a guy selling fish balls for directions. He pointed me the right way and winked. Apparently, it's a common occurrence. He knew.
What are the rooms actually *like*? Cramped? Clean? Do I need to bring earplugs?
Okay, the rooms... Listen, Hong Kong real estate is a precious commodity. Expect compact. Expect efficient. Expect…well, not palatial. The dorms are a reasonable size, and they cram as many beds in as they can. But! They're surprisingly clean. Seriously, they bust their butts to keep the place tidy. The bunk beds are sturdy enough, the linen is fresh, and there are usually lockers for your stuff. The private rooms are, naturally, a bit more spacious. But still, Hong Kong-spacious. Earplugs? Pack 'em. Unless you're a superhuman sleeper. Between the street noise, the snoring (it's a hostel, folks), and the occasional late-night shenanigans, you will NEED earplugs. Trust me on this one. I learned the hard way. The first night, I thought I was going to lose it. Finally, a kind stranger offered me some. Lifesavers. They even had USB charging ports, which is surprisingly handy.
Is the staff helpful and friendly, or are they just trying to sell me stuff?
Most of the staff are genuinely lovely. They really try. They're not just trying to upsell you on a tour or sell you a pack of instant noodles (although that does happen). They genuinely care about the guests. I remember once, I was having a total meltdown because I lost my passport (don't ask). The staff, especially this girl named Mei, went above and beyond. She helped me contact the embassy, translated everything, and even offered me some tea to calm me down. She was an absolute lifesaver. There's always that one person, of course, who seems a little...detached. But overall, the staff are a massive reason people love this place. They're the glue that holds everything together, especially after a few beers on the rooftop.
What's the social scene like? Is it a party hostel or more chill?
Okay, this is where 365 really shines. It’s definitely social. It's not a *raging* party hostel, thank goodness. More of a…constant hum of activity. The rooftop is the epicentre of it all. Picture this: a bunch of people from all over the world, crammed onto a small terrace, drinking beers, sharing travel stories, and generally being ridiculously cheerful. It's brilliant. There's a definite sense of camaraderie. You'll end up chatting with people you'd never normally meet. One night, I ended up playing cards with a retired accountant from Yorkshire, a philosophy student from Germany, and a chef from Brazil. It was… surreal, but in the best way possible. They organize pub crawls and group dinners, which are great for breaking the ice. But you can also easily find a quiet corner if you just want to chill with a book. It caters to all levels. However, if you're a total hermit, you *might* feel a bit overwhelmed. But you'll miss out on the magic!
The rooftop sounds amazing! Is it really that good?
The Rooftop. Oh, the Rooftop. *That*. Is a reason. Okay, okay, so the view isn't *quite* as Instagram-perfect as the photos suggest. They conveniently omit the laundry drying on the balconies next door. But…it’s still amazing. Especially at sunset. You can see the city sprawling out before you, glittering in the evening light. The atmosphere is electric. You can hear the distant clatter of the street, the murmur of conversations, laughter… It's a place where connections are formed, dreams are shared, and bad decisions are made (mostly harmless ones, though). I spent HOURS up there, just staring at the city lights, drinking cheap beer, and chatting with whoever happened to be around. One incredibly memorable time I spent around 4 AM after a particularly hectic night, sitting on the edge of the roof, a bit tipsy, talking philosophy with this guy from Sweden, contemplating the meaning of life and eating instant noodles straight from the packet (which, by the way, 365 supplies), watching the city slowly wake up. It was glorious, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable. That's why it's a "reason" in the first place.
Are there any downsides? What would you warn people about?
Alright, let's get real for a second. Nothing's perfect, and 365 has its quirks. Firstly, the elevators are a bit... temperamental. Be prepared to climb stairs. Especially if you're on the top floor. Secondly, the Wi-Fi can be spotty sometimes. Don't expect blazing-fast speeds. Third, there can be a bit of a "hostel vibe" – the shared bathrooms, the potential for noisy roommates, the general lack of personal space. And finally, and I can't stress this enough: the noise. Bring earplugs. Pack earplugs. Embrace the earplugs. You've been warned. Also, the air conditioning can blast you with frigid air (bring a sweater! a scarfHotel Finder Reviews
