Blue House Backpackers Siquijor — Hotel in San Juan

The owner of Blue House Backpackers Hostel (a French guy) doesn't know how to treat his guests well or take care of his business's reputation. I booked 7 nights and paid half upfront, which was 3.5 nights. When I arrived, I told him I'd only be staying 3 nights, which were already paid for. He demanded I pay for the remaining 4 nights, citing the hostel's rules. I refused to pay since I wouldn't be staying those nights. He threatened to call the police if I didn't pay, and after 10 minutes, came back saying the police had told him it was his fault for not informing me about the cancellation policies. It seemed surreal, and I believe he never actually called the police, just trying to intimidate me.

I think he made a huge mistake treating me this way, prioritizing his financial gain over his business's reputation. I felt like he was trying to scam me and only cared about getting my money. He treated me very poorly. I don't recommend this hostel under any circumstances. The girl in the reception was friendly and tried to help resolve the situation, but the owner's behavior was unpleasant. Not...

The bunk I stayed was dusty, to the point where it triggered my allergies. I was itching everywhere. The pillow smelled weird. AC was only allowed to be turned on for a few hours, which was fine, but the fan only turns up and down, which means you either don’t get ventilation or the ventilation hits you straight in the face. The portable bed side light wasn't working. For the service, it could be better. When I arrived, I was sweating. A glass of water as way of welcoming guests who came from a long travel, would have made the check-in experience better. A mini house tour would have also been helpful to show guests where things were. I had to ask the attendant where the hamper was, the wi-fi password, and the men’s room, I discovered it myself. The location is good tho. I like that it’s not directly on the highway, less noise from the traffic. Plus, there’s a fruit shop just outside the walkway to the hostel and it’s cheap. It’s also just a stone’s throw away from JJ’s and the other bars and...

I've based my lists on experiences that exceeded my expectations.

Safety: Throughout my entire stay, I felt completely safe. They even added extra security measures for valuable items. The local neighborhood is respectful, friendly, and quiet.

Location: The hostel has its own beachfront and is conveniently located near essential amenities like a convenience store, fruit stand, and restaurants. It's also nomad and work-from-home (WFH) friendly, with stable internet and power.

Staff: The reception and housekeeping staff are well-trained. I really appreciate their efforts in maintaining a clean and spotless environment.

Activities: They constantly engage guests with various activities, which they are always developing and improving. They can also assist with bike rentals.

Room for Improvement: While they actively clean the premises, I would really appreciate a small faucet near the entrance to wash off sand and dirt...