Hangzhou Travel Forum

I'm planning a short trip to Hangzhou from Shanghai. I have heard read very good things about the Jiangnanyi hostel--but I get the impression from what I've read that none of the staff speak English there? I have also read many good reviews for the West Lake Youth House, where apparently English is spoken. My Mandarin is very minimal and I'll be traveling on my own, so I'm thinking it might be a good idea to stay in a hostel where some English is spoken, in case I encounter a problem on my trip. Any recommendations?
Also, if you get a private room at a hostel, at what time are you usually able to occupy it? (Don't want to be in the situation of hauling my bags around because I arrived too early.)

I have a maximum of three days for my trip -- considering staying either two or three. Are two days not enough for someone who wants to really take in the sites in Hangzhou?

thanks for the info!

I was at the Hangzhou West Lake Youth House at the end of the May holiday 2007. You can leave your bags there if the room is not avaiable. They will let you check in anytime the room avaiable. But they don't always know when people are leaving. You can call, they told me to call back at noon but I called again way before noon and got a private room.

The best thing about this hostel is the location. The private rooms are clean and ok. People I met who stayed in the dorm said they were ok.

PS, there is a very loud disco near one end of the Hostel. Try to get a room at the other end. We got a room at the other end but could still hear the noise. The dorms are far away from the disco.

I would highly recommend the Hangzhou IYH on Nanshan Lu opposite the Art Academy. They have English speakers for sure and also a pretty good breakfast. Excellent location.
I would probably spend 2 days in Hangzhou and 1 (including overnight) in Xitang.

What is the email address of Hangzhou IYH?

Sorry, no idea. I'm not an email directory.