Non greedy hostel or guesthouse in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia?
For the next week I'll be staying with a friend in Ulaanbaatar but then I'm planning to move to some budget travellers' accommodation before I completely wear out my welcome. I want to stay in the city until about Christmas when my visa runs out so I want somewhere cosy/friendly.
Now I've stayed in many hostels in many countries and know how to check the reviews and ratings online. But I've spent a couple of hours going through Hostel World and Hostel Bookers and despite some doubtful 100% reviews they all have some very legitimate sounding very negative reviews so far.
A common complaint is that the staff are unfriendly to guests who don't book their tours. I have no intention of going on any tours. I'm here to experience Mongolian city culture and learn a bit of the language.
Other common complaints shared between multiple accommodations are curfews at midnight, Wi-Fi turned off at night, lack of hot water, and tiny common areas.
Is there a friendly/social hostel or guest house in Ulan Bator for a traveller who doesn't want to book any tours?
Best Answer
I stayed at first in Idre's Guesthouse. It was basic, reading some of the reviews has refreshed my memory - the kitchen and bathrooms were small, but there was free breakfast and working wifi. Indeed, the hostel did organise tours and immediately asked if I'd like to look at their options, but I couldn't fit it into my schedule, and it wasn't brought up again during my stay.
They were flexible, friendly, helped with directions.
The downside is that they're a decent 20 min walk from the city center. The upside is that they offered free pick up from the train station :D
I then moved to another one where my friend was staying in the city center. It was more convenient, but had no decent wifi, and had a curfew there as well which was frustrating. You had to whisper all the time, lots of restrictions, staff weren't welcoming at all. Unfortunately searching our emails and online we can't find the name of this hostel, sorry :/ If your Google Fu is better than mine, it was roughly here.
There was a tour company in the same building, so if you find them, you should find the hostel. The tour company's address is Room 14, Building 69, Sukhbaatar District, and is down the alley opposite the Golomt bank.
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Answer 2
I stayed at the Golden Gobi in 2008. It felt a little cramped during late September not sure if it was the season or because of popularity.
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