Nova Traveller's Lodge

After arriving in Chengdu, I compared several hostels online. For me, beyond cleanliness, I prefer older, more interesting places, especially those that have been around for over a decade. A hostel that's been open that long often has more character, and you might even run into old friends. I stayed at Le Fu many years ago, I can't remember exactly when. This time around, something felt a little off, but there was still that familiar feeling from before. Perhaps it's just that things have changed and people have moved on.

This hostel seems to have been open since 2010, quite a long time. I've stayed here many times years ago, and the environment was always pretty good. I've experienced it in every season. Time flies, and just like this hostel, I've grown older. I stumbled upon it again this time and still love its familiar charm.

This hostel has large transparent windows and an overall bright vibe. Sitting at the bar in the morning, enjoying the complimentary coffee, really sets a positive tone for the day. The staff even greet you with a cheerful "Good morning! Another energetic day!" 😂

This hostel's environment is exactly as good as the reviews say, no difference at all. On the first floor, there are several tables, offering spaces for relaxing and working, plus a large table that can be used as a dining area. You can order takeout and eat it there freely. There are drying racks on the first and third floors for clothes. Rooms also have air conditioning, but no toiletries are provided. You need to bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste for the dorm beds, or you can buy them at the front desk or a nearby convenience store (there's a 24-hour supermarket right across the street). The front desk service at this hostel was also excellent. I stayed for three days, and on my last day, I checked out an hour late, and the front desk didn't say a word. I'll definitely choose this hostel again next time I come to Chengdu!

I stayed here for about a week in total, choosing this place before and after my trip to Chongqing. The double room was quite quiet, and the atmosphere was good. There were a lot of locals, which gave it a more relaxed and comfortable local vibe. Every day, I'd see the guests playing board games together, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.

The common areas are really spacious. I've been staying here for 20 days now, and it's been great to play ping-pong with others when I'm bored, or just relax in the garden and play games. I've met some lovely people and had great conversations. I'll definitely be extending my stay! This is one of the more down-to-earth hostels near Chunxi Road, not as commercialized as some others.

I was worried a hostel might be noisy, but to my surprise, the soundproofing here is pretty good. The bed in the room was just right – not too soft, not too hard – and the bedding was clean and odorless. The locker was spacious enough for my luggage, and the shared bathrooms were cleaned daily and very fresh.

I booked this room during the May Day holiday, and it was already the cheapest en-suite room in the area. The location near Wenshu Monastery is great, with convenient transportation and lots of food options. Excellent value for money.