IN the recent years, hostels have become the go-to accommodation for practical travelers who want to ditch the fancy hotels and opt for modest dwellings where they can interact with locals and tourists alike. If you’re coming to the Queen City for the annual Sinulog Festival but you’re still looking for a place to stay, check out some of these hostels nestled right in the heart of the city:
Naps X Adventures Hostel
Do not let its nondescript facade fool you—Naps X Adventures Hostel is a great choice for tourists who want a no-fuss accommodation in a strategic location. True to Cebu’s island roots, tropical touches of verdant green and palms adorn the hostel and its rooms. Located on 145 M. Velez St., Guadalupe, Cebu City, the hostel sits on a great location near the city center, with many dining options already within its vicinity. The hostel also offers organized tours that include activities such as whale shark watching in Oslob and canyoneering in Kawasan Falls.
Le Village Hostel
From the outside, one can already feel a sense of “home away from home” as the hostel looks like it might as well be someone’s humble abode. But inside is a visual feast—from underwater-themed murals along the hostel’s corridors to the striped linens in the dormitories, every nook and cranny of the hostel is bursting with art and colors. There is also an al fresco communal area where one can chill and interact with fellow guests from all over the world. Le Village Hostel is located on 84 Gorordo Ave., Cebu City.
Food District Hostel
For those who prefer a hostel with a more urban feel, Food District Hostel has a city and metropolitan aesthetic. The reception area is accented with charming trinkets and travel-inspired décor that emanate a sense of wanderlust and adventure. Located on 12 Torralba St., cor. Wilson St., Apas, Lahug, the hostel offers both cozy accommodation and a strategic location.
Hostel Seven Cebu
The hostel was named after region seven, a region composed of places favored and frequently travelled by locals and tourists alike, Cebu included. The 2,000-square-meter property comes with 26 bunk beds including an exclusive female dorm for eight. It has eight private rooms as well, a rooftop area with 24-hour bar and breakfast, and a Filipino restaurant called Orange Karenderia that’s open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Apart from the accommodations, guests can buy ferry tickets as well book tours with the hostel to any part of Cebu and Bohol. Design-wise, the hostel stands out for its concept revolving around sustainability and simplicity using recycled materials like its reception area made of a 200-foot container van for instance, as a way to not only remind but inspire people to use more sustainable materials. Hostel Seven Cebu is located on Juana Osmeña St., Cebu City.
Ayo Ayo Backpackers Inn & Art Cafe
It’s a hostel and an art cafe in one. Located on 44E Emilio Osmena St., Guadalupe, Cebu City, the place provides a laid back setting for its guests. Japanese designed, the hostel is managed by Tomohiko Terada and Atsushi Okamura, who named it Ayo Ayo because of the meaning behind the Cebuano phrase and the warmth and friendliness it brings. It opened last September and has two private rooms and one dorm room good for six people. All accommodations are inclusive of breakfast. For lunch and dinner, the hostel offers both Filipino and Japanese dishes. As for the art side, the hostel is home to artworks: from the furniture by the owners, and other artworks created by Cebuano artists.
Shejoje Poshtel Hostel
Promising not only comfort and affordability but a touch of posh. Shejoje is a Japanese-inspired capsule hotel fused with minimalistic Cebuano trimmings. It has 16 single capsule rooms and two deluxe capsule rooms all with shared amenities like lockers for luggage, dressing room and hot and cold shower to name a few and serves breakfast. From its well thought out interiors down to the service, it aims to make each stay memorable and worth experiencing once more for travelers on-the-go. Shejoje Poshtel Hostel is located on the ground floor of the DCD Bldg., Jakosalem St., Cebu City.