Reviews of Hanwood Youth Hostel

24 May 2012 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: The property is at walking distance from one of the touristic spot of the city, a very beautiful and ancient pagoda and from many good chinese and western restaurants and coffee places.

Disliked: It doesn have an elevator, so if you go there with a heavy lugguge and with your parents as I did you might find yourself a bit disappointed. In the night might be very noisy because of what's going on in the street even if you are staying at the 4th floor and because the double and private room are on the same floors where also are the dorms.

02 May 2012 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Staff were very friendly and helpful, spoke great English. They picked us up from the airport (although it was just to meet us and then we had to take a public bus together to the hostel, it was still a nice gesture). Rooms are cosy, we had a twin private ensuite, which was clean and beds were comfortable. No safe/locker in room but we did have a private room, so I can't comment on the dorms. Area was very nice, clean and pretty as it is in the newer section of Xian near Westin hotel and other new properties so there are many restaurants and bars catered for travellers (although most restaurants and cafes are quite expensive and open late morning). Stalls offering cheap Chinese food are also right behind the hostel. Close to Big wild goose pagoda and nice public park.

Disliked: Our room was facing main street so there was a bit of noise when trying to sleep (nothing ear plugs can't fix). It was a little far from the city centre, i.e. ancient wall, drum and bell tower, muslim quarter. Like 15-20 min by taxi and costs approx 15- 20 yuan. Having said that, it's a different part of the city where the hostel was and offered quite a lot of things to do so we were happy we stayed here. A little less crowded than the main centre. Taxis were also sooo difficult to flag down and it's common for them to pick up other passengers on the way and not use their meter. Try to avoid change over time (4-7pm) and give yourself enough time to flag one down (half hr) if going to station or somewhere important!

07 March 2012 Marisa would recommend this property

Liked: The staff was super friendly and helpful

Disliked: It was cold throughout the place but what did I expect visiting xi'an in winter?!

01 February 2012 Mathew would recommend this property

Liked: The staff are so friendly and helpful. Couldn't have asked for me. Great location next to Wild Goose Pagoda. Easy to get to anywhere in Xi'an to be honest. Chilled atmosphere and confortable rooms. Would love to stay in places like Hanwood more often.

Disliked: Mathew left no negative feedback.

20 January 2012 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Everything that I expect from a good hostel was there.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

24 December 2011 KATY would recommend this property

Liked: We loved this hostel! We had a good sized private twin ensuite with possibly the best hot shower we've seen at a hostel in 6 months of travelling! It was really good value for money. The staff were fantastic - so welcoming and friendly. The hostel guests were invitied to join the traditional Winter Solstice dumpling party, which was great fun. One of the girls there even went to some trouble to make us some mulled wine! Although located a way outside of the city walls (its about 20-30mins by bus which is very cheap or 1hr to walk to South Gate), you are right next to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which is a great tourist spot, with the big North Square and fountain/music show. There are loads of nearby bars and restaurants offering local and western food, including alleyways behind the hostel serving brilliant cheap Chinese food. I would highly recommend this hostel to anyone.

Disliked: It was pretty chilly as we were there in December - the communal area got quite warm with enough people milling around but a bit of heating in the room would have been lovely. Otherwise all perfect!

07 December 2011 Claudia would recommend this property

Liked: I loved staying at Hanwood. The girls that run the place are so sweet and helpful. They showed me a nice place to have dinner on my first night, they always helped me figure out which busses to take and they helped me book my train to Shanghai. And always with a smile. This is a really great place, and I'd recommend it to everyone. Other than the friendliness of the staff they have 24 hour hot showers, safe rooms and WiFi available in the rooms. And there was a dumpling party one night as well.

Disliked: Nothing. I loved it here.

27 November 2011 Natalie would recommend this property

Liked: Friendly staff, always willing to help you out.

Disliked: Nothing

24 November 2011 Mark would recommend this property

Liked: It had a unique and fun design. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful

Disliked: It could have been a little cleaner.

14 November 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Met at Xian station by helpful and friendly member of staff. Good internet connection by wifi. Good value for money.

Disliked: A 15 minute bus ride from Xian centre (drum tower).

12 November 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Good staff and nice movies

Disliked: nothing

12 November 2011 Clem would recommend this property

Liked: twin room we stayed in was very spacious, its a bit out of the city walls but in a very nice area which is easily reached by bus.

Disliked: Nothing

11 November 2011 Noelie would recommend this property

Liked: they came to catch us at the train station for free. Very nice after a long night in the train... Free DVD, nice TV room very clean everywhere

Disliked: location a bit far from center by foot (but easy and cheap by bus!) some noise from disco's at night, but just put earplugs and it's solved :)

30 October 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Very friendly and helpful staff. Location is great and the stay was good.

Disliked: We stayed in a small 4bed dorm without window, so pretty dark and claustrofobic. Later we found out there was mold in one of the boxes where you can put your bag... Whole bag smelled very badly... And though the whole hostel seemed pretty clean, our room wasn't. Full of dustclouds and spiderrags...

17 October 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: I loved this hostel. It was so close to the Pagoda. Staff were friendly and helpful. Plenty of places to eat and drink nearby (western and chinese)

Disliked: It was a little far from some of the sights but not too bad

14 October 2011 CHIRS would recommend this property

Liked: Here we met people from all over the world.We talked together,played together.We even went out as close friends who knew each other for a long time~~~~~ Staff here were very friendly and helpful,who helped us with many things,booking the tickets,arranging the room,teaching us how to use the washing machine,chatting with us… Great location,easy to go around for visiting and eating.

Disliked: nothing

12 October 2011 Lauren would recommend this property

Liked: Very helpful staff, very hot showers. In a VERY nice area of Xian.

Disliked: The directions said to take bus 4 from the airport... When I got there I was told that bus 4 no longer goes to wild goose pagoda. The internet went down quite a few times during my stay

02 October 2011 ANDREW would recommend this property

Liked: The hostel was in the perfect location - just a 5 minute walk from tons of restaurants and beautiful sights around the city. to our surprise they really picked us up at the train station. there was the best coffee in china (lavazza), always enough toilet paper, comfortable rooms, etc. and the sweetest receptionists that where really helpfull in any situation.rooms are big,beautiful and clean,.Would definitely recommend

Disliked: nothing

30 September 2011 KNIEVEL would recommend this property

Liked: Staff are very willing to answer any of your questions and help you solve the problems.Fantastic atmosphere in the hostel.You can play the pool and chat with the guests from all over the world.24-hour hot water,and daily cleaning of the rooms.

Disliked: ---

28 September 2011 STELL would recommend this property

Liked: Really nice hostel.Very helpful and smiling staff.Artistic and novel decoration,such as,antique collections and funny blog walls.Good location since it is quite close to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda,Tang Paradise,History Museum,several free parks,a cinema,an art museum…Very easy to catch a bus to go to the centre of the city to see the Bell Tower,Drum Tower,Beilin Museum,Muslim Quarter,etc.Really want to come back again next time!!:-)

Disliked: Nothing

14 September 2011

Liked: The location was good. Walking distance to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, nice area of town. Just across the street from a beautiful park.

Disliked: The street behind was very noisy, especially at night. Had to move rooms the next day to the front of the building. No rooftop bar anymore. No hot water. The breakfast was awful.

12 September 2011 Klazina would recommend this property

Liked: Nice quit. Not in the city

Disliked: the beds linnen

08 September 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: I stayed here while I was looking for an apartment to rent in Xi'an since I will be staying in the city to study. I'm glad I got to stay at Hanwood, they have the friendliest staff ever. Very helpful and always up for a chat (in English or Chinese). The rooms and bathrooms are clean and the looby area is good to meet people or to just hang out on a rainy day. It's located close to the Wild Goose Pagoda which means it's neither far nor close to the city center but there are a lot of buses going any direction into the city.

Disliked: At a certain hour of the night it might be hard to get in as they close up the doors. But if you tell the staff before you leave or exchange phone numbers they'll still let you in.

01 September 2011 Philip would recommend this property

Liked: Everything. The staff are extremley friendly and even let us in at 4:30 in the morning and rest in the lounge until the room was ready. It is accross the road from Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the night fountain and light show. We had a minor issue with a tour group and the hostel sorted it out and even got us a partial refund. I would definately stay here again.

Disliked: Nothing.

13 August 2011 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Great place with great people! Make reservation because it get full fast! Near Big Pagoda. City bus stop right in front of the hotel so it's easy to go around. Near a lot of restaurants and nice food stall in the streets in the back. Great area, much better than the busy city center.

Disliked: However,I hope the fund will be allotted to improve some other basic facilities so that less complaint will be heard.