Zostel Kochi, Fort Kochi

I think it's important to transcend some of the BS I've seen and read regarding the hostel. Firstly, it looks incredible in the images on various booking sites. Not quite so in real life. It all actually looks pretty drab and tired. The room I booked wasn't great (dusty, loads of hair clogged in the basin, gunk over the mirror, dust and dirt on the lightbulbs), and I couldn't even get a warm shower. The AC didn't work. On arrival there was no-one at the desk, just a sign suggesting an online check-in, but I couldn't receive the OTP, therefore couldn't check in, and had to wait 20 minutes for someone to arrive. I didn't complain. I generally don't complain. On reflection, maybe I should have. There are past reviews from 6+ months ago that mention hair/dust/dirt, and replies from Zostel that the issues will be addressed though, cleary, they haven't. Staff - nice, though could be more informative. My experience doesn't quite reflect the experiences that some others mention. I didn't get any advice, friendly chat etc etc Rooms - not great, in my opinion. Dirty. Tired. Location - pretty much everything Fort Kochi has to offer is within walking distance, or a short tuk tuk ride. Rooms: 2/5 | Service: 2/5 | Location: 3/5

Never for non-Indians, incredibly bad. I booked my room a month in advance. On the morning of my arrival, they sent me a auto message of cancellation. After a long effort, I could reach them by phone, I asked the receptionist what happened, he just mumbled for a while and said we will call you in 5 mins, they didn’t. I called them again because I was already on my way to Kochi Fort and you know it is not always easy to find another hostel last minute. Then the receptionist told me that: “MY BOSS TOLD ME TO CANCEL ALL THE FOREIGNER TOURIST BOOKINGS AND I DID”. And they did not even provide me any reason for this unreasonable act. I was really in a difficult situation. And they call themselves a traveler hostel.

It looked a bit congested than in pictures but overall it was good. I met an amazing bunch of people. The location of zostel was very close to fort kochi. Overall comfortable and made my first solo trip experience a good one.