hostelworld.com
 

Has anyone tried booking with Hostelworld.com? I'm wondering why room rates for certain hotels (such as Bishop Lei, Hongkong) are already available at their site for such far off dates as November 2007 when the rate is not yet available at the hotel's own website. Are their rates fixed upon online booking or will it be subject to change?

Can't answer your question re HK - but can say have used the site often. Have never had the rate change on me.

Also had an interesting experience at a hostel in London, where, having booked one night in advance, wanted to extend after arrival.

Doing this at front desk was about 5 quid more expensive that getting on line and booking the same bed.

Have found them reputable but you should be aware that they offer accommo at all levels - and some of it is for the real budget traveller. You need to have the instinct to read between the lines.

Recommend researching hostel/hotel elsewhere for a second opinion if you are at all fussy about standards.

Happy travels

Believe me, Chimani, I have spent long hours browsing through hotel/hostel reviews over the internet. I'm just wondering how they can quote rates for some dates when most other sites including the hotel/hostel's own website still cannot quote a rate. Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I think I will use their site once I've made up my mind which hotel/hostel to stay at. By the way, how long in advance did you make your booking before your actual stay?

Hello again,

Well it's now April, and you are thinking of travelling in November.

That's way, way, more organised that I have ever been.

I think the furthest I have booked in advance has been 2 months. That was for Helsinki where alternative budget accommo is really hard to find. Quite possibly harder than HK.

The point I was trying to make (though I have no absolute proof - just personal experience and the informal info from front desk at that place in London) is that hostels "ring fence" a certain number of beds in advance. They sell them to Hostelworld.

Otherwise how could I have got such a huge difference in price? I was booking a pre-sold bed with Hostelworld one night in advance. Hostelworld still had that bed to sell at a pre-arranged discounted price. But the hostel itself was selling at rack rate.

I thought it was odd, but it happened!!

A really great place to stay in HK is the YHA there. It's old style (like you have to do a chore each day - well, that could have changed!!) and the downside is that it is not in town. But it is in the most fabulous location.

You can sit on the terrace and see the whole shipping world go by. And enjoy the company of people from all over.

Tons better than a cupboard somewhere.

Just my 2 pence worth!!

Thanks for the info. I know this is way too advanced, but I just couldn't contain my excitement and I think I am rewarded by all the great advise I have been getting from online acquaintances like you. I have been scouting around the internet for more choices and found Alisan Hostel managed by Mr. Tommy Hau at Glouchester Road near World Trade Center. They have good reviews from several travellers and I have actually found nothing bad said about them, except probably that because they are located at the busy part of town, it can be quite noisy at night. The quadruple room is only HKD520/night. I think I will be staying there with my family in November.