Wushanyi International Youth Hostel

For starters, Wushanyi is nowhere near the West Lake, and is hidden up some obscure (unmarked) dirt alley. If you're like me, you see that it isn't actually on the lake, and take this to be a good thing; you figure you'll be out of the bustle and the touristy areas. WRONG. This is NOWHERE NEAR anywhere you want to be, it is far, inconvenient, poorly marked, and an absolute nightmare to find. No fewer than a dozen locals had never heard of the street (alley) name, and I had the address written in Mandarin characters. Hostels on the lake are where you want to be.

Secondly, what isn't advertised is that this hostel caters to Chinese tourists. If you aren't a Chinese national, you will not be catered to. Forget special treatment, you won't be acknowledged. Period. I stood at the front desk REPEATEDLY waiting for someone to help me (with simple, straightforward matters), a desk that is manned by no fewer than three people, and was ignored at length every time. Also, because it is 99% native Chinese guests, the hostel is unbearably loud, with the constant screaming and spitting and the taunting of the dog that is tethered by the door. Roommates are a nightmare, because there is no concept of consideration or quiet, and doors are slammed, conversations screamed, things dropped at all hours.

Would not recommend this hostel to anyone. Hated it. Do yourself a favor and stay at Mingtown on the lake. (I would have, but they were booked solid.) Everyone raves, supposed to be fantastic.