Where I stayed in Boracay: Mad Monkey Hostel

Boracay! One of the world's most beautiful islands (#1 according to Conde Nast Traveller). There are so many thing said about Boracay already, whether good or bad, but one thing remains the same, it is still one of the Philippine’s sought after paradise destination.

[caption id="attachment_5435" align="alignnone" width="800"] Amazing Boracay sunset. I didn't put any filter on this photo.[/caption]

As most tourist(y) locations around the world, accommodations can easily be available to those who dream of visiting these places. Boracay offers several accommodation options, from apartments, party hostels, boutique hotels and even top notch luxury hotels.

I was in Boracay to attend a friend’s wedding and during my stay I opted to try 2 of these accommodations. I thought of trying a party hostel to see the backapacker/party scene-hello millennial and a quieter boutique hotels where I can just relax and enjoy my weekend stay in the island (tita levels).

For a party hostel, I have chosen Mad Monkey Hostel while I booked a room at Ferra Boutique Hotel on the later part of my trip (review on the blog soon).



[caption id="attachment_5442" align="alignnone" width="800"] Definitely a happening place[/caption]

Mad Monkey Hostel is the biggest “party hostel” chain throughout South East Asia. With chains in countries such as Cambodia, Thailand and of course in the Philippines.

I got few of my friends who tried this hostel in Phnom Penh and also Boracay and they gave a stunning review about it.

Read one here: Mad Monkey Review by  my friend Rona 

LOCATION

The location of the hostel is a bit strategic. At first glance, this seemed to be a no no, because it is a bit far away from all the happening places in the island. The transfer from the ferry then the tricycle ride felt like it took me forever to reach the hostel ( I opted to DIY and look for the cheapest way possible—more on this in the VLOG soon).

When I finally located the hostel, I realized that it is situated in between two famous beaches in the island. Both within a god walking distance from each other. The White Beach on the left while the Bulabog Beach on the right.

[caption id="attachment_5440" align="alignnone" width="800"] The flood situation in front of the hostel[/caption]

The only hiccup on the way is what seems to be a little flood along the street in front of the hostel. I spoke with the locals and they said that it isn’t a unique case, as everyday it is like that (sometimes higher when it rains). --- I can see some effort by the hostel to pump-out the water every now and then. –so just be warned that if your balance ain’t good, you’ll be better of wearing flip flops than your sneakers.

DESIGN

As an architect/interior stylist, I always get fascinated on how hostels are being designed nowadays. Infusing FUN-TRAVEL in the design is a must. I think this was achieved by Mad Monkey Hostel Boracay. I love the mix of whites,blues and also native/local materials – creating that clean island resort feel.

[caption id="attachment_5439" align="alignnone" width="800"] Open layout facing the pool. YES!!![/caption]

The open corridor also makes the space feel larger (and fresh). You can just sit down in front of your room and you can easily fall a sleep, relaxed and livin’ the island life.

PARTY HOSTEL

It is coined as a party hostel and the hostel boast with it’s happening pool bar. It isn’t a fancy pool bar ok, but a casual bar in an island. Just enough to kick off that party atmosphere. There are free shots every hour ---so talk about setting the mood right.

[caption id="attachment_5444" align="alignnone" width="800"] Early morning scene..or let's say the after party scene?[/caption]



It mainly caters to foreign backpackers, I feel like Filipino backpackers will tend to spend their evening along the food stall in White Beach. I do feel the charm of the hostel’s bar. I love hostels and being with like minded people (whom you just met) and share a drink can certainly fuel your wanderlust (cheers to the citizens of the world).

ROOM

I stayed in a 4-bed dorm room. I like the layout of the room as the bunk beds isn’t placed side by side to each other. There is a wall in between the 2 bunk beds (this a luxury for those who are used to staying in a hostel dorm I tell you). The bed size is also very generous, it is close to a double/twin size bed, can easily fit 2 –but why share right? Take it all for your self (I told you, luxury).

[caption id="attachment_5448" align="alignnone" width="800"] My bed with your own wall fan (though the room is fully air conditioned)[/caption]



The room is fully air-conditioned, lockers and an en-suite toilet and bath. The only thing I can see in improving the hostel is to have their T&B refitted. The shower looks old and a bit damp, my standard for a good shower room is, if I can step in the shower floor without my flip flops --- this one, I kept them on.

RECOMMENDATION

Will I recommend Mad Monkey Hostel Boracay? It is indeed a value for money. With a dorm room for less than 10 usd, this place is a steal. If you are traveling solo, this is a perfect place to meet like minded people and enjoy Boracay without breaking the bank.

Will I go back? I actually can’t wait!

MORE DETAILS

Zone 5, Bulabog Beach Road, Bulabog Road,

Boracay, Aklan, Philippines

Phone: +639052479898

Email: boracay@madmonkeyhostels.com

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Where I Stayed in Amsterdam: Lucky Lake Hostel

In choosing which hostel to stay in I always consider the following: cost, location and reviews. As a budget traveler, amenities are just a bonus. As long as I have a bed to sleep on, I consider the rest to be the icing on the top.

Finding accommodation in Amsterdam was no exception. At first I was looking for a cheap place within the city center. Location is always important particularly if you are on a short trip and want to maximize your stay. I looked at Hostel World and Tripadvisor for some hostel listings. Although I saw a lot of reasonably priced hostels, there was one that caught my attention. The hostel's name is Lucky Lake Hostel. A hostel with a lake? Who could resist that?! The only catch is, it is 30  minutes away from the center of Amsterdam. It is located in Vinkeveen, a town in the Dutch province of Utrecht, 18 km south of Amsterdam. I almost passed booking this hostel but after reading all the reviews, I knew that this was just the place I was looking for.

Here are Lucky Lake Hostel's ratings in different websites (based on past guests' reviews)

www.hostelworld.com = 91%

www.tripadvisor.com = Certificate of Excellence

google reviews: 4.9 out 5 ratings

www.hostels.com = 92%

www.booking.com = 9.1 out of 10 ratings

To see the competitive prices between all these booking portals check out  www.Hotelscombined.ae 

I found that, although a little far from the city center, it would still be fairly accessible - just one metro ride away. I was sure I could overlook the distance when I would gain a quiet and relaxing place to stay.

After landing at Schiphol Airport, my journey to the hostel was simple. Firstly, I purchased a 3-day unlimited transport card which covers the trains to and from the airport, the metro, trams and some ferries (more of this in my upcoming blog on what I did in Amsterdam). Arriving at Holendrecht Station, the pick-up place for the hostel shuttle could easily be found. I saw other guests waiting for the shuttle as well (yey - instant friends!).

[caption id="attachment_3328" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Shuttle service pick up at Holendrecht Station[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3357" align="aligncenter" width="800"] greens and cattle . Starting to look promising.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3306" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Hotel Reception Area[/caption]

As we drove further and further away from Amsterdam, it became clear to me I had made a good decision in choosing this hostel: from a backdrop of buildings and town houses the scenes gradually transformed into grassland and cattle.

Eventually we arrived at our hostel and the first think I saw was a cute cluster of brightly coloured trailers beside a very funky-looking reception area. As I received my welcome kit (yes they have a welcome kit!) I knew that this place would be different from any other places I have stayed in.

[caption id="attachment_3307" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Aside from free wifi, there is also a lounge where you can get connected to the web world.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3308" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The very cool welcome area with a small shop where you can get some last minute souvenirs[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3330" align="aligncenter" width="800"] My full hostel kit! Cute right/[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3337" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Colorful trailer rooms[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3310" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Some are too artistic[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3339" align="aligncenter" width="800"] While some are just chilled[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3311" align="aligncenter" width="800"] ...and playful[/caption]

Even though there were several trailer dorms on offer, I was given a cottage-style room. At first I was a little bit disappointed. I wanted a trailer room! But as soon as I saw how cute the interiors of our little cottage were, I stopped complaining to myself.

Our room was very clean (considering it was a hostel – and 2 beds were already occupied). It was very spacious, with plenty of room for all our stuff, even if we placed all our luggage on the floor (hahaha – those who stayed in hostels know this very well).

[caption id="attachment_3309" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Cabins for sharing[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3335" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Our cabin![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3327" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The interiors are way tooooooo cute[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3329" align="aligncenter" width="800"] My bed! #1[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3332" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Feeling like I am in a capsule bed[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3331" align="aligncenter" width="800"] So the owner is a wild hunter[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3320" align="aligncenter" width="800"] I told myslelf to hunt down this lamp --- I suspected IKEA but didn't find any here in Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3334" align="aligncenter" width="800"] My future chandelier[/caption]

There was also a study table which you could use as a dining table (but I recommend you to eat outside). The beds were pristine and very comfortable. I love that you are expected to put the covers on your own duvet and pillow cases: I have had the same experience in hostels in Denmark and Germany, and it makes everything feel cleaner. It was comforting to know that each guest was given their own locker and ....wait for it ..wait for it .....you don't need to bring/buy your own lock as the hostel provides one.

All showers and vanity are communal and mixed. Even though the hostel was full, there was never a line for the shower (or maybe I just always managed to take a shower earlier than the rest of the guests).

[caption id="attachment_3312" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Common wash area[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3313" align="aligncenter" width="800"] yheap in Netherlands they take a bath using flowers[/caption]

The hostel is organized to feel like a small community of campers instead of being a hostel. Because of this, there are a lot of common areas for all the guests to mingle and sit down together. There is the breakfast bus, the barbecue and kitchen area and also several tables around the grass areas.

The hostel offers free breakfast for all their guests. Aside from the usual cereal, toast+nutella+butter and preserves, they also offer DIY pancakes and poffertjest (mini pancakes). Yheap, the Dutch love their pancakes. I love that most of the hostels offer free breakfast because I often get stuffed in the morning and skip lunch hahaha --- YEY for saving some Euros for museum entrance fees!

[caption id="attachment_3314" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The kitchen and bbq area[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3338" align="aligncenter" width="800"] ...and the Breakfast Bus[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3336" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Perfect for a good start of the day[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3322" align="aligncenter" width="800"] ...you can also eat inside[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3324" align="aligncenter" width="800"] UNLIMITED NUTELLA!!--- DONE![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3323" align="aligncenter" width="800"] DIY Pancakes ala Dutch[/caption]

I loved that Lucky Lake was away from the city but not too much. You can easily visit the center of Amsterdam, with their shuttle service running every 30 mins during the day) while also being able to enjoy being in the countryside. So my first impressions of the Netherlands were views of a refreshing lake and a quiet community with beautiful, cute houses along a series of interconnecting canals.

During check-in, I was given a map with with my welcome kit that showed all nearby villages which can be accessed by bikes. Of course, I won’t pass on any opportunity to hop on a bicycle, so after dropping my luggage inside our room I immediately rented a bike (for 1.50 Euro/hour) and ended up biking around for about 3 hours ( they charged me only for 2 hours – yey!). Aside from going around the lake and getting lost around the villages, I was able to buy some groceries which would become my very first dinner in the Netherlands.

[caption id="attachment_3315" align="aligncenter" width="800"] My steed for the day. Mr. Blue Steal![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3326" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Luvin the view and the fresh air around the hostel[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3321" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The near by lake where you can reach from the few minutes walk or bike in just a quick zoooooom[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3317" align="aligncenter" width="800"] @TheTravelingJournalProject ---- of course[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3316" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Can't believe that there are people who actually live like this --- MY LIFE PEG![/caption]

My favorite part of staying in any hostel is the people that I meet, so aside from enjoying the view and all the amenities that Lucky Lake Hostel offers to its guests, I was delighted over dinner to be able to meet two American ladies and two Swedes with whom I got to discuss taxes and social welfare systems around the world (whew heavy I know). Most of all, I enjoyed getting to know my two Scottish roommates, who were visiting the Netherlands on their way to France. The staff members were also very friendly, most of them being travelers as well who had applied to help out in the hostel for a summer job and maybe free lodging.

[caption id="attachment_3361" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The best bit of my stay in Amsterdam is to meet some new friends. Here are my ultra young Scottish roommates  Sean and Lottie[/caption]

I really enjoyed my stay here. Although I wasn't able to maximize the lake (kayaking, swimming..etc because it was too cold for me and when the sun was out I was touring around the city center), it was a completely different environment from Amsterdam. After a busy and crazy day strolling around Amsterdam, it is a perfect place to relax and cap your awesome day in the Netherlands. Now I know why everyone is raving about this place. Now its time for you to try it yourself.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CHECK OUT THE LINKS BELOW

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Book via Hostel World

Book via Tripadvisor

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