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Yaarl Hostels

Yaarl Hostels

4.0(10 reviews)  ESPN, 12 Stanley Rd, Jaffna

About Yaarl Hostels

Yaarl Hostels is a business in Jaffna. Address:  ESPN, 12 Stanley Rd, Jaffna. Phone:  077 720 4847. Average rating: 4.0 out of 5 from 10 customer reviews on Review Guru.

4.0

Based on 10 reviews

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  • Olivera L.

    Great base for exploring Jaffna

    I really hope Jaffna gets better promotion and attracts more tourists since I loved my time there. For anyone visiting, Yaarl serves as an excellent base. Like many hostels in Sri Lanka, it has some plumbing and cleanliness issues. Nevertheless, you still get a lot for your money, and the warmth of the hospitality compensates for any infrastructural shortcomings. The staff is very solutions-oriented; for example, they shared their phone's Wi-Fi with guests when the hostel's internet went down. The team members are fantastic individuals with a variety of interests, and they can share a wealth of information on different topics. I also liked that they served local food for breakfast and changed it up every day.

    Food
    4
    Service
    5
    Value
    4
    Ambiance
    3
  • Ana Z.

    Disappointing Hostel Experience

    The only positive note about this hostel was that one of the receptionists was very friendly, but that’s where the good news ends. They claimed to have lockers available, but when we arrived, all were in use. They promised to resolve it, but it never happened—so no lockers for us. We were given upper bunk beds, even though a lower one was vacant, which puzzled us until we got to point five. The bathroom was filthy; I noticed a fly stuck in a spiderweb alongside wet toilet paper on the floor, which indicated a lack of cleaning. They didn’t even replace the toilet paper when it ran out, which is quite telling of their hygiene practices. At 5:00 AM, the light in our dorm flicked on—not by a guest, but by the same receptionist who had checked us in. He came in with a couple of friends who took the 'available' lower bed together. Then, around 9:00 AM, they decided to play music while others were still asleep, once again initiated by the receptionist. The breakfast offered could have been decent—I didn’t have high expectations—but at the very least, I expected some coffee. There was none available, though the kind receptionist did go out later to get some; by then, we had already gone out for breakfast. I had booked through Booking.com, while my friend also made a reservation for me via WhatsApp. I attempted to cancel my Booking.com booking about four hours prior to check-in to inform them of my friend's reservation, but they wouldn’t allow it. Honestly, I could have just skipped the stay entirely without a penalty since they don’t require a credit card upfront, but instead, I had to pay the Booking.com rate, which was 200 rupees higher.

    Food
    2
    Service
    2
    Value
    2
    Ambiance
    1
  • Somali G.

    Great value for girls' trip

    The hostel is clean and feels safe for girls. The host is fluent in English, which adds to the comfort. Yaarl hostel made our girls' trip from India possible at a very affordable rate.

    Service
    4
    Value
    5
  • Marc M.

    Basic hostel with helpful staff

    My stay at the hostel was mostly positive, though it was quite basic. I didn’t receive a blanket, but I suppose I could have requested one. The staff were great at assisting me with planning activities. On the downside, I was misinformed about the laundry cost (1500 instead of the 500 I was told), and my clothes were returned late, well past the 24-hour mark. They ended up coming back damp and actually dirtier than before, so I’ll have to wash them again. Additionally, they lost one pair of socks and some underwear.

    Service
    4
    Value
    2
  • ravishankar M.

    Convenient hostel with great hospitality

    Yaarl Hostel is situated right in the center of Jaffna city, just a five-minute walk from the main bus stand, making it super convenient for backpackers. It's an excellent value for the money, and the staff truly enhance the experience. Preman at the reception provided exceptional customer service, and the rest of the staff were also very friendly and welcoming. The only aspect that could be improved is the washroom facilities, but given the price, this is still reasonable. Additionally, the complimentary breakfast was a nice bonus. All in all, it's a budget-friendly hostel in a great location with fantastic hospitality.

    Service
    5
    Value
    4
  • T.K. R.

    Great location but poor facilities

    One of the worst hostels (Dorms) I've experienced in Sri Lanka. The cleanliness of the washroom is unacceptable, with a shower that doesn't function properly and a toilet tank that fails to refill. I ended up having to flush with a bucket of water. After I complained, they allowed me to use the girls' dorm washroom, which thankfully wasn’t occupied during my two-day stay. The location is fantastic, and that's its only advantage. The staff provides decent service, but they lock the gates at 10:00 PM without informing guests. I found out about it only upon checkout when I saw a note on a whiteboard. Fortunately, I returned at 11:30 PM and had to call several times before a staff member finally came down from the third floor, looking quite put out. This hostel should allow 24-hour access for all guests. If they insist on locking up, they need to modernize and implement an access control system with cards for guests. Location definitely deserves a 10-star rating.

    Service
    3
    Value
    2
    Ambiance
    5
  • Abs_solotravel

    Comfortable hostel with minor issues

    The dorm at the hostel costs 1,500/- per day, while single rooms for more privacy are available for 4,500/- per day. Check-in is at 2 PM and check-out is by 11 AM; if you check out before 11 AM, it will count as a two-day stay. The dorms are fully air-conditioned and quite quiet, and breakfast is offered in the common kitchen on the ground floor. The rooms are decent, but the washrooms could be more comfortable. Yarl Hostel is conveniently located near the double petrol set in Jaffna, with separate dorms for girls and boys, in addition to two family rooms.

    Food
    3
    Service
    4
    Value
    4
    Ambiance
    3
  • Mehane H.

    Great stay with friendly staff

    I genuinely enjoyed my time at this hostel. The staff were incredibly helpful when I arrived at 4am and continued to assist me throughout my stay. They provided all the necessary information for planning my trip in Jaffna, and everyone was very friendly. I had some good conversations and shared laughs, which made my experience even better. The location is also great, being close to the bus station, making it very convenient. The rooms and bathrooms are basic but sufficient for a good night's sleep. Thanks again!

    Service
    5
  • B5350FQalexr

    Great hostel experience in Jaffna

    The staff is very friendly and the hostel offers excellent value for money. Breakfast is served from 7:30 AM to 10 AM, and the rooms are both clean and spacious. This is definitely a fantastic place to stay in Jaffna. It's not only centrally located, but the hostel spans three floors with quiet rooms, a kitchen on the top floor, and even a fitness room.

    Service
    4
    Value
    4
  • Ankita A.

    Convenient location but some drawbacks

    Yaarl Hostels Jaffna is perfectly situated in the market area, close to the bus stand, making it easy to explore on foot. We were given a spacious family room with two double beds, which was overall quite comfortable. Although there was air conditioning, it didn’t function well due to the high humidity. The bathroom was acceptable but had a strong odor, which was a downside. The water supply was reliable. Unfortunately, the breakfast didn’t stand out, and we experienced some issues with the internet—Wi-Fi was not very dependable. Overall, it was a decent stay, but the bathroom smell and the unreliable internet were notable concerns.

    Food
    2
    Service
    3
    Value
    4
    Ambiance
    3

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Frequently asked about Yaarl Hostels

What is Yaarl Hostels's phone number?
You can contact Yaarl Hostels on  077 720 4847. The number is also shown on this page along with directions and reviews.
Where is Yaarl Hostels located?
Yaarl Hostels is located at  ESPN, 12 Stanley Rd, Jaffna, Jaffna. Tap "Get directions" on this page to open it in Google Maps.
Is Yaarl Hostels any good?
Yaarl Hostels has an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 from 10 reviews on Review Guru. Read them on this page to see what customers say.