Another week in KYRGYZSTAN (for the second time around), I grew attached to this hostel after spending a week with them. The hospitality, the comfort and warmth, plus the facilities... it set the bar a little too high. High enough for me to cancel my booking from Compass Hostel just to go back to this hostel to spend the last few days of my trip. Without further adieu, let me share the hostel in highlight, the People Hostel in Bishkek!
Location in Bishkek
Located on one of the busiest streets in Bishkek, the People Hostel is just about 300 meters away from Vefa Center along Baitik Baatyr Street. If you're coming directly from the airport this hostel is well-located in terms of distance and accessibility to the bus stops.
Not only you are close to bus stops but to almost everything - supermarkets and food establishments. While the landmarks (Ala-Too Square, National History Museum, Victory Square, Panfilov Park, and Bazaars) are quite a distance away, the hostel is still closer than you think.
As per transportation goes, there is a bus stop opposite Vefa Center. Not only this stop is for marshrutka, but it is also the GoBus stop No. 4 which directly goes to/from Manas International Airport.
On another note, I have written a guide on How to Go from Manas International Airport to Bishkek which you may find useful.
To learn more about the GoBus service, you may visit theΒ GoBus Website.
Rooms & Facility
Instead of hostel hopping like I always do in the past, this time I spent almost 7 nights alone in People Hostel. I have changed beds multiple times, 4 times to be exact during my stay. From the upper bed to a lower bed. From the Female Dorm to the 4-shared dorm and then back again to the Female Dorm.
With that said, I have seen almost every corner and facility of the hostel.
Rooms a.k.a. Dorms
Starting with the rooms or what they call Dorms, it's a typical sharing dorm and what you see in the picture is what you get. People Hostel has an all-female dorm, an 8-shared dorm, a 6-shared dorm, and a 4-shared dorm. They also have 1 separate room for those who are looking for privacy which is a loft type and good for two people.
I've stayed in both the Female Dorm and the 4-Shared Dorm and both are nice. The 4-shared Dorm has a nice little corner with a cushioned chair at the window if you need a little privacy when reading or doing something else. Both dorms have spacious beds, reading lights, lockers/cabinets, and power sockets. I was also provided with clean blankets, a pillow, and a towel.
Facilities & Common Areas
Moving on to the common areas and the facilities, I'm afraid I can't do justice on this part. I don't have photos of the toilets and the co-working space which is really a huge plus to me because of its cleanliness and how functional they are. And even though there's only 1 toilet on the second floor, I've never experienced having to wait in line. No matter what time I need it, it's always free... I take it as a good thing π
Two fully functional washing machines in the laundry area can be found in the basement. There are enough racks and space to dry clothes. To use the washing machine, you just have to pay a small fee at the reception. It costs 100 soms if you want to use your detergent and 150 soms if you want to use the hostel's detergent.
The kitchen and dining area is where I frequently sit. Water, tea, and coffee are free for all.
As a hiker, I find the gas box thoughtful and practical. Borrowing and leaving them is more practical than buying a new gas and not utilizing all of it.
Hostel's Hospitality
Last but not least, is People Hostel's warmth and hospitality. Regardless of whether I traveled during the off-season or not, the connection and memories that I had with the staff of People Hostel are just on another level.
On my first night, I shared dinner with Kasiet from the reception and she even gave me a Doner Kebab. I always have a treat from her which is almost every day, I swear she's the sweetest!
She even went with me to visit the National History Museum. Having her as my unofficial tour guide is one of the best things about my entire trip!
I have no picture of Max but he's someone I won't forget (I even told him that). He has a Russian name, but is 100% Korean and doesn't speak Korean, yet he has a Kyrgyz Passport. But not only because of this, he is a sweet fellow who also works in the reception of People Hostel. He arranged our taxi to go to the airport during my last night and he even offered to wake me up. There's a wake-up call service from hotels but in a hostel?
Despite rejecting his offer to wake me up, he's up on the second floor during our last-minute packing before we leave. He could be waiting downstairs but he stood there like a friend offering help until the very last moment. He's the sweetest!
Almost everyone in People Hostel in Bishkek is accommodating and not lesser than Kasiet and Max. However, Kasiet and Max had gone over and beyond the extra mile hence they are my unforgettable people, EVER.
Bonus: But what happened to Compass Hostel?
Since I kept mentioning my canceled booking in Compass Hostel, let me share a glimpse of the story. Compass Hostel is my first choice and maybe that's why I couldn't let go of my disappointment. The hostel is located near Erkindik Avenue which is a park I love as well as the nearby Korean Restaurant Chicken Star.
Unfortunately, my experience is a series of small things that eventually led me to feel 'uninvited'. My booking from Hostelworld couldn't be found, the lady at the front desk was multi-tasking and didn't give her undivided attention to me even for a whole minute, plus the poor soundproofing of the rooms (I could hear everyone running at the corridor back and forth).
But the turning point was when I was assigned to the twin room (to share with 1 student as the girl introduced) and her stuff was all over the place. I'm no beginner in sharing rooms (hello bed spaces in Dubai!) but not only the stuff is all over the place, but both cabinets are occupied with stuff too. The student, fully aware of my presence didn't move either to remove the stuff inside the cabinets. If the stuff is not hers, then it's more of a bigger problem.
If you know me personally and the full-time job I do, you'd know how long my hospitality, patience, and tolerance can go. As unfortunate as it was, I felt unwelcome and uninvited. I felt that I was just given any bed regardless of my prior booking without even checking if the room/cabinets were ready for me to use. With a heavy heart, I left in the end.
People Hostel Cost
As a fan of Booking.com yet unsure of my travel plans, I originally book 2 nights ONLY as below:
After 2 nights, I extended for another 2 nights in the Female Dorms for 800 soms per night (paid directly to the hostel). I checked out after spending a total of 4 nights, then moved to Compass Hostel as told above.
When I went back to People Hostel, unfortunately, there were no available beds in the Female Dorm anymore. The only available bed is in the 4-Shared Dorm which is 1200 soms per night and I booked two nights. Then on my last night, I changed to Female Dorm for one (last) night for 800 soms.
Please do the math for me, but that's how much I spent on my accommodation in People Hostel in Bishkek.
Conclusion
If you reach this part, thank you, I will not keep you any longer. Among all the hostels (Airbnb's included), this is my #1 as of the moment. I know I have favoritism towards Kyrgyzstan by now, but not because of it. People Hostel is my #1 because of the hostel's location, facility, hospitality, and affordable price.
I don't know about you, but having all of these in one hostel sounds like a steal for me. That's it about People Hostel in Bishkek and I hope you give this hostel a chance, they're quite a gem!
