Ohlala Hostel — Hotel in Cebu

DO NOT COME!

The only redeeming quality of this place was the staff. They were kind, attentive, and consistently supportive throughout my stay, especially when I was unwell with a fever. Their effort and care genuinely deserve recognition.

Just to be clear, I ended up sleeping on the couch for three nights because it was absolutely unbearable to stay in the dormitory. The combination of body odor, lack of ventilation, and overall claustrophobic atmosphere made it impossible to rest.

I strongly advise travelers to avoid this accommodation due to its fundamentally flawed structure and design. The dormitory packs six people into a windowless room with no access to fresh air or natural light. The air is stagnant, the space is suffocating, and the conditions feel physically and mentally draining.

This is not a purpose-built hostel. It is a basic residential house that has been carelessly converted, prioritizing bed count over human comfort. Every inch seems designed to squeeze in guests, with no regard for airflow, sanitation, or personal space. The result is an oppressive, unhealthy environment.

No matter how kind the staff may be, the facility itself resembles more of a sealed cell than a place meant for travelers. I left a day early because I could not tolerate another night in that environment. A space without air, without light, and without dignity should never be presented as suitable...

Small hostel, one dorm and two private rooms. Two toilets and showers. Two sinks. Cleaned daily. I was a bit surprised when I came, as it looked bigger. The location is great. The service is amazing. Bamboo beds, one top bunk bed is quite loud to get in and out. Bed was ok. Room has a good ac, no black mold smell. Place smelled all good everywhere. There is a small locker and space for your stuff. Light at the bed and curtains. They could close a bit together, but was ok. Mixed dorm, only 6 beds. Happy the bathroom is not en suite.

The dorm door is very thin, so you hear everything from the hallway. In general you can hear the street pretty loud. So nothing for people with problems sleeping with noises.

Would recommend...

We had a nice stay at Ohlala, although it definitely felt like a homestay, not a hostel. Jess was so helpful and lovely, it would have been nice if she had been around the hostel. It was a great location but it was quite expensive for a very basic double room with no natural light and a shared bathroom. It was also quite dirty when we arrived. The strangest thing was the staff use the communal space like it’s their house. Walking to the bathroom really felt like someone’s sitting room, one night there were 4 people (inc. 2 staff members) sat in the area listening to music and eating take out. Often they’d be sleeping...