Writing about hostels was not part of my original plan (for the blog). But then I started asking myself, "Why not?". I love hostels so why not collect them as well? And voila, here's my first post about hostels and I will call them my Accommodation Archives. A homely hostel in Karakol, the fourth largest city in Kyrgyzstan, is a property called Duet Hostel.
Location in Karakol
3-kilometer away from the Northern Bus Station, the hostel is located next to the Karakol Meeting Point (Karakol Meeting Point is closed during my visit). Pobedy Park and Holy Trinity Cathedral are close to the hostel and a 24/7 supermarket is on the adjacent side of the road.
I'm not sure if it's because I stayed during an off-season but the nearby coffee shops and restaurants are all closed. So I have to walk a little further whenever I want to eat something. Not that I mind walking but this is something to consider if you prefer having nearby establishments.
Hostel Facility
Let me get it straight, the property doesn't have an out-of-this-world facility. However, it exudes a homely feeling because it's simple. Not that it means bare or basic and boring. It's a modest (and family-run as I heard) hostel with superb cleanliness (I saw the kind lady who cleans the hostel every morning).
From a receiving area, kitchen, and dining area, it has everything you may need. It is enough to hold a few guests for meals and socializing. There are also reminders that the hostel is not a 'Party Hostel' which I find nice. I haven't been to a Party Hostel (thank God) and I liked that there's a reminder to be a little sensitive to others who want to rest early at night.
Oh, and I love those windows! I can't tell you how I enjoyed watching locals passing by and filling their cars with petrol in the gas station on the other side of the road. People-watching has been my thing since my South Korea trip, now you know. ๐
Anyhow, going back to the topic, let's move inside. Further inside are the bunk beds and a comfort room with two sinks, two shower areas, and two toilet rooms. No bidet spray but don't worry it's not a squat toilet but a western one.
The hostel provides towels and lockers too if you need one and you can borrow a bucket if you want to wash your clothes by hand. I didn't notice/ask about the washing machine since I don't need to do any laundry. But from the level of service I experienced (from K mostly - K is the name I got from the gentlemen who assisted me in everything), they can probably help you with that.
Upon checking in August 2024, it seems that the hostel expanded its property and I can now see private rooms as options. It seems that the property has now a garden and spacious dining area too!
Hostel Cost
As a heavy user of Booking.com, I prefer booking in advance so that's where I booked my hostel. I expected to pay around $21 for 3 nights upon my arrival (May 2022).
Upon conversion into local currency, I paid SOM 1,700 in person before checking in. And that amount is a steal, especially for 3 nights!
Travel & Hiking Resources
What got me hooked on this hostel is the amount of travel and hiking resources they share with everyone. When I contacted them through WhatsApp about Altyn Arashan, they responded right away. They even shared their BLOG forward for other travel inspirations.
Even at the property, some resources are lying around for use.
While I wanted to do the Altyn Arashan hike up to Ala-Kul Lake, I was advised that the lake was still frozen and wouldn't recommend it.
In the receiving area, you can find these small notes with instructions on how to reach the nearby tourist attractions from Karakol. I took two notes (Skazka Canyon and Jeti Oguz) and used their information on how to go to Skazka Canyon by Marshrutka as well.
Despite being a little far from all the action of the town, the Duet Hostel in Karakol made my trip a comfortable and memorable one. And that's all folks! Ciao!
Read to book your stay? Book the hostel through Booking.com!
