Le Tour Traveler's Rest Youth Hostel

Stayed here over the new year period. Fairly quiet hostel, paper thin walls and very small room. Towels replaced daily. We spent most of our time exploring the city centre and tourist spots so didn’t get a chance to look around the area until our final night. There’s a heap of cute restaurants, bars and even shisha bars around but they are all quite pricey. The hostel is down an alleyway with no signs pointing to it. When you get to either side of the alley there is a sign saying “BLIND MASSAGE” and an arrow, just follow that and you will find the hostel. Staff were friendly and helped us book a car to the train station.

For its price, this hostel offers good value for its private rooms. But we had a less than wonderful stay here, mainly because we came in November, when the weather was cold and wet. In our twin room, a room heater was not necessary and anyway the hot water for the shower and faucet was very adequate. The room was clean and had adequate space but be careful of opening the windows as insects do fly in during the wet weather. The staff spoke English well and were friendly and helpful. Food was plentiful and you can find shops selling buns at 4 am - but the menu is all in Chinese! Local supermarkets abound at the streets off Jiaozhou Rd and of course, high end shopping and eating are available at Yuyuan Rd just behind the Jing'An station. I would rate this place a bit below "Very Good" for the following reasons. The location, in an alley off Jiaozhou Rd is not too prominent but is well lit at night. There can be renovation works as well as garbage collection going on! Getting here, the walk from Jing'An station can be tricky with luggage as the sidewalk can be narrow. You have to watch out for electric cycles as they are quiet, go against traffic and very often, are not lighted! The interior has an intentional grungy unfinished decor - all in good fun - but it can be a bit off putting at first. Finally, a tip for getting here from the Jing'An metro - be sheltered from the elements - at least for a little while before you brave the elements. Take exit 3, go through the entrance to the shopping complex and after a while, look out for the exit to Yuyuan Lu on your *left*. There should be a glass swing door and heavy drapes (weather sealing types). Go through these, go up the escalator to Yuyuan Rd, turn left and first turning to the right is Jiaozhou Rd - and then a 10 minute walk - with mainly almost no cover from the elements at all.

The room, washroom, common area are clean and tidy, I would it's considered above average for a hostel. The hostel is being remodelled based on existing old building in an matured, developed neighbourhood, which is Jing An District. Therefore, many shops are available within a stone's throw and the subway is about 10 mins walk away.