Jaffa Gate Hostel, Jerusalem

although the hostel is in the best location and cheap, i cannot recommend anyone going there. the room was dirty and the smell in there persisted in my clothes even after machine washing. beds must have been several decades old, and insecticides were used in rooms without ventilations. i am used to hostel standards, but this place is a serious heath threat. do not go there!

"Our Hostel is very clean" – Only in biblical times would this statement be factual, today it would take centre billing on Hotel nightmares. The DORM is INVESTED with bed bugs because the beds have not been cleaned for centuries. Everyone got bitten, back, arms, legs, face…By 2am I had had enough and wandered the old city until the reception opened up at 9am, better to be stabbed than eaten alive! If you are immune to bugs then I would not pay more than $5 for what is basically a bed and a 2ft by 2ft space on the floor to put your rucksack..The dorm bathroom is comparable to others but only if you are paying $8 or less. I never asked for a refund, I had read all the online reviews while passing time in the morning and it was clear this never happens. Clearly there are enough people that don’t read these comments (like me!!!) and cough up $20 for the night without actually sleeping in the bed because its filthy. My advice is to stick to the guide book suggestions, Jaffa Gate and all the others around there are not in the guide book for a reason!!! Other points Internet Access – Limited, think 1990’s dial up speed Towels – Cost Extra Security Lockers – A safe for valuables eg passport but no lockers Luggage Storage – The common room Guest Kitchen – because unlike other hostels they don’t offer breakfast despite being overpriced Telephone/Fax Facilities - True Travel Desk/Travel Info – Yes, very true and yes very helpful. The staff are very nice. Bureau de Change – Yep, might not be the best rate but good for small amounts Common Room – With a television, kept me entertained all night as there was no way I was going back in the room to give the swarm of BED BUGS their second course. Don’t believe me? Lift the mattress before you pay for the room, it has not been cleaned since the Romans.. No Curfew - True Bike Parking - True Taxes included in price – Well depends on what price you negotiate 24 hours check in – but not a 24 hour desk, don’t be misled, if you have a problem between 9pm and 9am then you are on your own Following this REAL comment there will be a comment saying how amazing the place is..funny how after every bad comment there is a good one as if someone is trying to negate the reality of the situation..Ask yourself this, are all the people saying this place is filthy making it up or are the negative comments an accurate reflection and the positive comments simply meant to distract you?

I liked everything about this great hostel. Nour, Asem and Don were friendly and helpful on all fronts. Booked great tours here and enjoyed them very much. Met great people from home and from around the world. My rooms were great and I felt at home. The worst part for me was the day I had to return to the United States and my beloved job at the PO. Thanks again for the great experience and see you in March! Francisco

Rooms are newly tiled, new bed, fridge, cupboard and tv. Bathroom can do with some serious cleaning, not just a slosh of water! Kitchen is quite shocking! Friendly and helpful people the owners

The best thing is the location and the most helpful and owners, all went ok, no problems at all, planning to visit again 2009!!!!!!!!

I really liked this hotel because the manager was great very nice and even fixed our rooms for us. the people there are very honest and I felt very safe. the Hotel is located in walking distance of all the holy sites. It's a great experience the holy land.

Anyone who says this is the "best hostel theyve ever stayed has either never been to another hostel or works AT Jaffa Gate Hostel. I have stayed in many many hostels and this is by far the worst. The shower is a small tiled section in the bathroom with nowhere to attach the shower head over your head. The water is cold. the bathroom has a terrible smell, not like a normal bathroomy smell, but of raw sewage. it is difficult to brush your teeth in there without gagging. The rooms are cold (you can pay extra for heat), the sheets are dirty, and the blankets smell strongly of mildew. The manager did not tell me I was rooming with a very sick (not a normal cold) and contagious woman who coughed all night. I am not the only one who felt this way. Luckily i was only there for one night but others in my dorm tried to get refunds. I would rather pay more and stay farther from the old city. I would rather sleep in the bus station.

Visited in the late summer, when I made our reservations I thought there had been a mistake, very affordable, very convienent, the staff will treat you like royality. When we go back, this will be home!

Clean, great location, Fee WIFI, i really love it and will be back to stay, just felt like im staying with a family that i know since years

I loved this hostel. We stayed for three days and met tons of great people and had so much fun going out in Nice.I felt really safe staying at this hostel. The only bad thing about his hostel is that there is no drinking allowed.