Hostels in Shandong, China

I had a flight with an overnight layover in Qingdao, so I opted to stay locally in a hotel. 'Locally' meant riding two stops on the subway, and catching the bus for two stops which altogether cost me less than £1. Probably about $1 US, or €1. However, I had to wait a while for the bus, so it took me about an hour. Upon arrival, the landlord treated me like a king and was exceptionally helpful. I can speak Chinese, and I wouldn't recommend this hotel unless people can speak a little Chinese and can read basic sentences. The hotel is fairly basic but, as I said, the proprietors are extremely accommodating and told me to ask if I needed anything. The landlord showed me where to eat locally (and physically took me there!) and when I left, he showed me where the nearest bus stop is (photo). I couldn't make the hot water work for a shower, but had I asked I'm sure they would have sorted it. I was in a bit of a rush in the morning and I didn't want to make a fuss. The bed was hard (like I Chinese prefer) but I slept well. There was no kettle in the room, but boiling water was provided. The area is out in the country, so if you want to see how ordinary Chinese live, this is a good opportunity. City hotels are quite westernised but this place is authentic Chinese. Pictures are of the bus stop and the subway station. Although I was told that a taxi might only cost me a little over a pound.

A Ninety-Yuan Surprise in Qingdao: The Most Healing Travel Encounter My time in Qingdao happened to coincide with peak tourist season. Hotel prices across the city had skyrocketed, costing hundreds or even thousands, making one realize how difficult it is to find a budget-friendly and comfortable place to stay during peak season. With a 'nothing to lose' attitude, I randomly browsed Ctrip and stumbled upon this youth hostel with a 4.9 rating. The overwhelmingly high ratings and clean, new-looking real photos convinced me to book it on a whim. I never expected this last-minute choice to become the biggest surprise of my Qingdao trip. I've seen too many guesthouses and hotels that are solely profit-driven, full of commercialism, perfunctory, and sloppy. But the owner of this youth hostel is completely different. He runs this place not just to make money, but out of genuine passion from his heart. This pure passion is hidden in every detail of the hostel. What surprised me most was the value for money. A bed here costs only 80-90 yuan, yet it outperforms many chain hotels costing three to four hundred. The soft, comfortable, high-quality bedding is neat and clean, and lying on it feels gentle and healing, instantly melting away all travel fatigue. Bao's thoughtfulness is reflected in every user-friendly design. Each bed comes with a lockable locker for securely storing valuables, and there's spacious room underneath for luggage, keeping things tidy and convenient. The bedside thoughtfully features a small shelf, a clothes hanger, and an eye-friendly wall lamp integrated with the bed, balancing privacy with comfort. The most considerate detail is the improved ladder. Regular bunk bed ladders in youth hostels are often stiff and uncomfortable to climb, making going up and down very inconvenient. Here, they've been redesigned as gentle, step-like stairs, which are stable and comfortable, completely eliminating the awkwardness of climbing. Every detail exudes tenderness. I later learned that the owner's main business is clothing, and he also has an extreme passion for music. So, he meticulously transformed the lobby into a cozy lounge area with a great ambiance. At night, it's like a gentle lounge bar, without any noise or clamor, just a relaxed atmosphere. Travelers from all corners of the world gather here to chat and listen to music, strangers gradually getting acquainted, without any sense of distance. It feels as warm as a temporary family. While staying here, I couldn't help but recall my youth hostel days in Tibet over ten years ago. Back then, I spent time with fellow backpackers, and our interactions were simple and pure, without calculations or defenses, just the honest joy between travelers. I never expected to find such a peaceful haven below Zhan Shan Temple in Qingdao, a delightful surprise of tranquility amidst the bustling city. In vibrant Qingdao, encountering such a pure and gentle little world feels like a rare gift to me. The entire place is spotless, clean, and bright, making you feel refreshed and invigorated, as if basking in a spring breeze. What's even more heartwarming is the owner's generosity and sincerity. Every guest receives a complimentary cup of coffee or beer. The hostel is equipped with Qingdao's advanced smart robotic coffee machine, offering a wide variety of coffee types with a delicate and rich taste. You can enjoy a refined beverage experience without any extra cost. In just a few days, eating, living, relaxing, and socializing – everything can be accomplished here. I've always believed that the meaning of travel is never about superficial sightseeing, but about encountering gentleness and collecting good memories. During the peak tourist season with skyrocketing prices, being able to find a clean, safe, and warm place to stay for around ninety yuan, and meeting sincere and interesting strangers, is the most precious gift of this journey. A good place to stay can heal an entire trip. I wholeheartedly recommend this place to everyone visiting Qingdao. Travel with intention, travel with heart, and in an unfamiliar city, meet sincerity with sincerity, make true friends, appreciate the scenery, and cherish the time.

Located inside a housing compound. GPS navigation brought me to the door, which was fortunate as it would be hard to find otherwise. They could do with a sign in English – meanwhile, look out for the Chinese characters 观海. It looks like you're arriving at the back door of a ground floor apartment. The receptionist was friendly and helpful, using a translation app where necessary. The atmosphere is cheerfully scruffy and youthful, with hundreds of visitors' signature all over the walls. Facilities are basic – the showers are over squat toilets (plenty of water though), and there are no drinking water refill machine (buy plastic for 1 yuan at the reception). The lobby area is tiny – they actually advertise the sofa bed in the lobby as a single-occupancy. Not a great idea – don't confuse it with a tiny single room as I did. They upgraded me to a dorm room. The mattress is not soft. The location is good for a visit to May 4th Square and the seafront. Overall, it was okay to doss here one night, but I found Kaiyue Hostel much better value.

My first time trying a hostel, and the overall experience was great. I'd definitely choose it again next time. I'd recommend hostels to solo travelers; even if you don't talk to anyone, just seeing other people eating their takeout in the common area makes you feel less alone. There were also books by the founder in the room, which gave me a deeper understanding of the 'Backpacking for Ten Years' brand. Life is a journey, and I'm looking forward to my next experience.

The hotel is in an excellent location with convenient transportation, and is surrounded by well-developed subways and buses. The room is heated, making it especially warm in the winter, and air-conditioned in the summer. The sanitation is excellent, the lighting is great, and there's a balcony for drying clothes. The room is ventilated and odor-free. There's plenty of purified drinking water (both hot and cold) and hot water for washing. The owner is welcoming and the check-in process is simple, with prompt notifications of any necessary matters. Takeout is available in the living room, which also has a smoking area where you can sit on the sofa for tea and a short chat. The rooms are well soundproofed, and there's no noise at night. The guests are all very polite and conscientious, creating a harmonious and comfortable atmosphere! Downstairs are Chao Yi Xing and Bao Zi Ke, so you won't have to worry about food and clothing. This is a great choice for studying, working, or traveling. Excellent Youth Hostel is probably the best located youth hostel in Jinan! Excellent Youth Hostel will provide the best service to make you feel at home. Welcome to Shandong!

This was my second stay at Cat Youth Hostel.This time for three nights. A very comfortable, relaxing and pleasant stay. The Cats and kittens were delightful and playful. Real Cuties. The manager was very polite and helpful. My requests when booking were fully fulfilled. And all my needs fully met. Shops and Temple within easy walking distance. Shall definitely stay again. Thank You Cat Youth Hostel

Such an amazing place for a foreigner, everyone treated me like family from the first moment! The hostel is in a great location, very comfortable and with all the amenities you could possibly need. I was included in the game night to play uno even without speaking any Chinese, I was gifted a lovely handmade keychain and I was allowed to check in really late while I was waiting for my train. On top of all that great treatment from the staff, when I was super late to the train station and couldn’t call a taxi, I was offered a ride and the guy that drove me literally was the only reason I made it in time. I am so unbelievably grateful for my stay. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I 100% recommend this place to everyone!

This was my first time staying in a female-only hostel, and Strawberry Hostel immediately won me over! I genuinely recommend it to all solo female travelers looking for a short-term stay. What really stood out to me was the all-female guest policy. There are no male guests in the entire hostel, so no matter how late I returned, I felt completely safe. I didn't have to worry about unfamiliar people coming and going, and the host clearly states in the guest rules that male guests are not allowed. This truly maximized my sense of security while traveling alone. The interior design is incredibly thoughtful. Everywhere you look, there are various figurines and dolls collected by the owner. The wall shelves, hooks, and even the top of the refrigerator are filled with adorable ornaments. The vintage red brick walls are complemented by atmospheric circular pendant lights, irregular full-length mirrors, a rotating bookshelf filled with books, and a wish wall covered with traveler's messages. Every corner is gentle and healing, perfect for taking beautiful photos. The common area has plush sofas, and relaxing on one, cuddling a plush toy, and just zoning out instantly smoothed away my travel fatigue. Thoughtfulness is evident in every detail: the refrigerator has clear guest rules posted, outlining sleep schedules, toiletries, and luggage storage policies, and the Wi-Fi password is easy to find. The common areas have warm reminders, regulating quiet hours and usage guidelines, ensuring a peaceful and quiet stay. The check-in and check-out processes are simple, and you can even store your luggage for free, which is super convenient for temporary storage. Whether it's for budget travel, a short business trip, or temporary accommodation for studying, this place is perfect. The value for money is great, and the house full of cute decorations and warm ambiance makes the hostel feel as comfortable as a temporary home. I've already recommended it to my traveling girlfriends, and I'll definitely choose Strawberry Hostel again next time!

A villa with different heights. Both the double bed and the 6-person bed are very soft and nice. It is very interesting. There is a garden, a swing, a billiard table, and an air-raid shelter. It is quite interesting.

All-female youth travel, the bed is very clean, but the sound of turning over will be a bit loud, you need to move lightly, everyone is very friendly, the boss is also very good! The bathroom is clean and tidy, and the bathroom is perfect! The public area outside is large enough. The whole youth travel has no smell, a very good experience! Affordable and good value for money!