카사 아리에타 호스텔

My ETA was well past the last check in, but a member of staff was kind enough to stay behind. The dorm had 4 bunkbeds, an AC unit and a fan. The AC and fan worked well. Each guest was given a towel and a locker big enough to hold a large backpack. The bed had an Asian style firm mattress and a thin sheet, a private light, 2 sockets and a small shelf. Common areas include a kitchen area, dining/working area with breakfast tables and high chairs, and another lounge area by the reception. There's no AC in the common areas, although the areas were open with nettings to restrict insects, so at least there was air circulating. I never got bitten while in the common area. There are several toilet/bathrooms. These were always clean whenever I used them. The water pressure is okay, good enough and works. There's not much ventilation in the shower rooms though. There is Wifi throughout the property and it works well. Location wise, the hostel is roughly between the airport and town. it's about 15 minutes walk to the port and 20 to the centre of Dumaguete. There is a convenience store close by and several restaurants too. At night, the area is quiet, but you can hear the traffic in the morning. The hostel employ staff who are hard of hearing, so kudos for that. The communication can be slower, but please be kind and patient. The staff work hard cleaning several times a day. Overall, I had an excellent stay. The hostel and facilities are basic, but clean and comfortable.

The staff is accommodating. The place is clean. I will recommend this place.

Top-notch customer experience, which started via timely and responsive live chat via the guesthouse's FB site with the owner, who helped me book an Apo Island tour before my arrival. The room was super neat, clean with air con and large lockers. The location is good, close to the ferry terminal to bohol. The owner was very sweet and caring, with lots of recommendations for sight seeing and restaurants. She also welcomed me with a piece of sylvana :) I enjoyed chatting with her. If all other hostels were of similar quality and standard, backpackers' life abroad would have been more enjoyable. Keep up the great work, Casa Arrieta! I look forward to revisiting!