Green Sky Hostel — Hotel in Dubai

If you’re looking for a place to stay, take my advice and don’t book here. It is dirty, unhygienic, and the host completely lacks professionalism and hospitality. I had an extended stay for a few weeks so I was able to make note of things that a person would miss if they had only stayed a few days. I had such a nightmare of stay and I will explain.

First, the place has a SEVERE black mold problem. For those of you that don’t know, black mold has to be PROFESSIONALLY removed and can lead to SEVERE and adverse health effects. After about 2-3 weeks into my stay, I noticed that I began to feel sick and had a chronic cough that would not go away. Other guests started feel these “cold” like symptoms as well so we all got COVID tests but they were negative. The symptoms didn’t go away for another few weeks so, again, we all got tested. It turns out it wasn’t from COVID but from exposure to BLACK MOLD!!! The host, Mona, had been aware of the issue for weeks after other guests complained then left but her only response was that it “was not a big deal” because she would rather save some money than prioritize the health of guests. No one could leave at the risk of losing the money they paid upfront as the host has a strict no-refund policy even for legitimate reasons so beware before booking. The mold covered all the vents including in the bedroom, kitchens, and bathrooms so we were inhaling it directly.

As if the black mold was not bad enough, the facilities are disgusting. The entire apartment had a nauseating musty scent that permeates the entire place due to the mold and the bathroom is also full of mold but has a ceiling that is swollen, yellowed, and leaks on your head as if it is about to cave in. The bathroom has no ventilation so it is absolutely DRENCHED after a shower. I don’t mean damp, I mean that there are entire pools of dirty water on the ground and the host, despite numerous complaints, refuses to fix it. You can see my attached video for more.

Additionally, something I noticed towards the end of my stay is that the host will charge each person different prices based on how much money they look like they have and where they are from. I guess she just assumed that the guests did not communicate with one another but, for the same month, she would charge the Asian women 4000 AED, the American women 4300 AED, and a woman from Brazil who frequently wore designer clothing 5000 AED. She would charge the men 3200 AED. For the same month, she would charge different people different prices and nothing was ever in writing either as this is an unlicensed illegitimate and unregulated business. Everything is at her will (the host, Mona) and if you tried to challenge her she would throw a tantrum.

If all of this was not enough to warn you of booking, understand this. Many many times throughout my stay, it was common practice for Mona to OVERBOOK the hostel. When you book, you rent a bed space. Mona, I guess as an attempt to make more money, would oftentimes accept more reservations than there were bed spaces available meaning that guests who had been staying longer would oftentimes have to sleep on the couch or the balcony without question because she had allowed someone else to sleep in their bed. No, seriously. I walked in the hostel one night to find a different woman who I had never seen before sleeping in my bed and, upon questioning Mona as to how this could be when I reserved my bed months in advance, she told me to sleep on the couch (with NO privacy) and that if I had problem with it to just leave her hostel with no refund. When I told her I had a right to the bed space I paid for, she screamed in my face, “you have no rights in my hostel!” repetitively until I dropped the subject.

This was the worst stay I could have ever booked and the host makes her money issues your problem and you do not get what you pay for. In fact, according to the host, even with payment you apparently “have no rights” so there’s that. Go somewhere clean and professional and don’t waste...

Stayed here a few nights because I was in town for the Dubai EXPO 2020. Would NOT recommend staying here due to the issue of black mold, leaky ceiling/dirty bathroom facilities, and also roaches as a couple of other reviews mentioned. I literally had a roach crawl over my foot as I was using the bathroom and another crawl past me as I was in the kitchen (photo attached). Very disgusting so don't book unless you are willing to look past such filth. The shower was practically unusable due to the dirty black liquid that covered the floor before and after every shower. Mold also covered the walls, doors, and ceilings of the bathroom. It was perpetually soaking in there and you have over two dozen people sharing one toilet and shower. Also, there is a no-refund cancellation policy to make note of before booking and there is limited room for luggage if you are bringing extra or large pieces.

Additionally, there are no COVID-19 safety protocols in place. There is no one to greet you upon arrival so it was confusing, the host does not answer her phone. Once I got settled, I was not asked for proof of vaccine or a negative PCR which is concerning for a hostel that has a capacity of 15 different people at any given moment. Additionally, the hostel is simply an unmarked apartment in a residential building which made it even more confusing to locate.

That being said, some pros about this place are definitely the location (Dubai Marina area, close to metro/tram) and the view from the balcony. It's very beautiful outside but unfortunately due to the poor cleanliness of the place and disorganized management I would advise against staying here. I also witnessed the host, Mona, be aggressive with some of the guests and have a full-blown argument in the common area which made for a not-so-peaceful environment. Don't be deceived by the photos, I wish I had known better before wasting my money.

The price point of the hostel (a single bed space you share in a tiny room with 5 other people breathing in your face) is overpriced in my opinion and can easily get you your own hotel room somewhere else in Dubai. All things considered, I wouldn't stay here again but the location and view from the balcony are the only positives...

Really amazing days in this place. Mona is super friendly with the guests. She give us advices to do in Dubai. Helping me to feel at home and pacient with all the questions as a New foreigner. Amazing area that everything is close beach, Restaurant, tram, taxis. marina walk with amazing restaurants and close to jbr amazing shops and cafes. The WiFi is perfect even with many people always is working. The space is really big, and it’s cleaning every day. amazing balcony with view you can smoke or drink a coffe. The kitchen has everything for who wants to cook. Is really safe all around. Despite of the place is in a current location inside the apartment is quite. And people respect your space. The environment is super warm. Also for the decoration is colorful and have many activities to do like a games good tv. Also you can meet people from a lot of countries and make new friends. ||Definitely I recommend this place to...