Ekanem E.
Yelp
Decidedly unhappy - bullies solo female travelers
When I entered Happy Hostel, the man responsible for check-ins was outside conversing with another lady for a few minutes. Then he entered, greeted me, and asked if I wanted to check in. He was still in the lobby and did not go behind the reception desk.
I said yes, he said 'You need a passport', and I got it out. But he lingered in the lobby asking me personal questions, still not going behind the reception desk to do the check-in. I felt it strange and interrupted him and said 'Sorry, I want to check in now please.' He became quite tense and got an angry look on the face, finally went behind the reception desk, and then asked me my name.
I told him and at the same time gave him my passport. He then asked me whether I was jetlagged, and I said no. He seemed upset by this for some unknown reason. He did not enter any information from my passport nor do any check in activity at all. I was feeling even stranger especially as the other woman was gone and I was alone with this strangely behaved man. So I said I am sorry but I don't want to answer any more questions, I just want to check in. At this moment he threw my passport down on the counter with a melodramatic thwack and said my reservation was cancelled and I had to get out or he would call the police (!?)
He shouted at me to get away, get out of here, you are not wanted here! So I went out of the hostel but he FOLLOWED ME OUT to the sidewalk.
It was an overall bizarre and disturbing experience and I
told him I would report him for it, as well as photographing the
building. I also called the police to make a report as his loudness and following me around was threatening behavior and I wanted to be sure of getting protection in case he became violent.
Solo female travelers, avoid this place like the plague!