Karan Sharma
Google
I recently stayed at the Belfast International Youth Hostel in a private room during my trip to Belfast. While the location of the hostel was absolutely perfect — centrally located and within walking distance of most key attractions — and the view from the room was quite pleasant, unfortunately, the overall experience was disappointing.
To begin with, the room itself was well below average. The cleanliness left much to be desired. The floor tiles were not properly fixed, which not only looked unkempt but also made walking around uncomfortable. The room felt very outdated, as though it hadn’t been refurbished or even properly maintained in the past 10 years.
The bathroom, although technically clean, was extremely old and poorly maintained. Fixtures were worn out, the design felt decades behind, and the general atmosphere gave a sense of neglect. It was far from the standard one would expect, even from a budget accommodation.
Now, coming to the bed — it was genuinely the worst I’ve ever encountered in any hotel or hostel. It was incredibly squeaky; even the slightest movement, like adjusting my leg, would result in loud creaking noises that disrupted my sleep. The bedsheets and duvet did not feel clean, and the bedding overall lacked the freshness and comfort expected from any kind of paid accommodation.
In summary, while the location and view were the only redeeming aspects of the stay, the room condition, bathroom quality, and especially the bed comfort were far below acceptable standards. With some serious attention to maintenance and upgrades, the hostel could greatly improve the guest experience — but as it currently stands, I would not recommend staying here.
