30 Jalan Tun H S Lee, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | (888) 616-5829
Relaxed atmosphere and funky, industrial design
Convenient city location near transit stop and tourist sites
Variety of dormitories and private rooms available
Beds have personal compartments and individual outlets
Common areas for guests to hang out, including courtyard and TV room
Kitchen facilities and a simple, free breakfast
Well-reviewed coffee shop next door, plus free coffee and tea all day
Individual lockers and extra storage space available
Organized group outings such as food tours
Computers and printers for guest use, as well as laundry facilities
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Occasional flooding occurs in ground-floor rooms
Rooms facing the street may pick up noise
Free breakfast is limited
BackHome is an above-average hostel in the historic district of Kuala Lumpur, within walking distance of a train station and Chinatown. It has a relaxed vibe, as opposed to the party atmosphere found at Reggae Mansion across the street, as well as multiple common areas and friendly staff that organize group outings such as food tours. The property has a funky, cool design and is kept clean, although lower-level rooms have experienced flooding when it rains. Both dorms and private rooms are available, all air-conditioned and with personal compartments. The hostel offers free Wi-Fi throughout, a simple free breakfast, and extra space to store luggage. It also shares a courtyard with a well-reviewed coffee shop next door.
Scene
Modern hostel with industrial design and sunny courtyard
BackHome is a bit more expensive than other nearby hostels, but guests appreciate its laid-back vibe, organized activities, and thoughtful design. The property consists of six old shophouses that went through extensive restoration to be transformed into a hip, industrial-like hostel. Common areas include a sunny courtyard with seating and a TV lounge with low-level seating and retro posters. Expect a mix of concrete, brick, wood, and metal, plus pops of color from artwork and guests' towels hanging over railings. For people not interested in partying at their hostel, BackHome is hard to beat for travelers on a budget.
Location
In historic district of Kuala Lumpur close to transit stop and Chinatown
BackHome is located in the historic district of Kuala Lumpur, convenient to public transportation and tourist attractions, so there’s no need for a car. Masdid Jamek transit stop is a four-minute walk away, as is the Telekom Museum. Guests can walk to Chinatown and the historic landmark Merdeka Square in 10 minutes. In addition to the coffee shop right next door, there are loads of restaurants in the immediate area. The KL International Airport is just over an hour away by car, and only slightly more by public transportation.
Rooms
Well-maintained rooms, individual lockers, and communal bathrooms
In typical hostel style, the majority of rooms at BackHome KL are dormitories with bunk beds, all of which are well-maintained. There are plenty of room options depending on group size and privacy preference, though, from private spaces to a dorm with double beds for couples. All rooms are air-conditioned and have a washbasin, built-in wardrobes, and personal lights and power points to charge electronics next to each bed. There’s plenty of storage space, too, with individual lockers in rooms and luggage lockers available for guests to store bags while they’re off traveling. The private Double Rooms are spacious, outfitted with a queen-sized bed, big windows, and artwork. Communal bathrooms have powerful showerheads and hot water; guests rave about the showers, which are larger than most hostels. Some guests might not like that the shower facilities are coed, with no separation by gender. Hairdryers are available upon request and toiletries can be purchased on-site. Note that some of the ground-floor rooms have suffered from flooding due to rain and rooms facing the street may pick up noise.
Features
Free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and all-day coffee
BackHome offers more than the average budget hostel. Plenty of spaces to lounge include a courtyard with seating and a television room with a selection of movies. The simple, free breakfast consists of toast, cereal, and fruit, and there is free coffee and tea available all day. There's also a well-reviewed coffee shop, LOKI Coffee Co., directly next door to the hostel. BackHome has 24-hour security, space to store luggage, and laundry facilities. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout and computers are in the front lobby for guests to use. Guests also praise the staff for friendly service, and they organize group outings such as food tours and pub crawls.