Bagan's BEST Pool Party Hostel? Ostello Bello's Paradise Awaits!

Bagan's BEST Pool Party Hostel? Ostello Bello's Paradise Awaits!
Bagan's BEST Pool Party Hostel? Ostello Bello's Paradise Awaits! – A Review That Actually Gets It (and Maybe Loses It Along the Way)
Okay, so let's be honest, finding the perfect Bagan hostel is like finding a specific grain of sand on the beach. There's a LOT of choice. But I think I stumbled into something special at Ostello Bello's Paradise Awaits! and guys, I'm still buzzing about it. This isn't just some cookie-cutter hostel; it feels like a vibrant, slightly chaotic, but absolutely loveable little world. And yes, the pool party is a BIG deal.
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First Impression: The Vibe (And the Buzzing Mosquitoes)
The first thing you notice? It's alive. Forget sterile hotel lobbies; Ostello Bello is buzzing. The common areas are a riot of activity: people chatting, playing cards, furiously typing on laptops (more on that later). The decor is a quirky mishmash (shrine! check; random artwork, check; well-placed mosquito nets, double check). It's…unpretentious. And honestly, that’s what you want when you're backpacking.
The Stuff You Actually Need (And How Well It's Done)
Accessibility: Didn't personally need this, but I noticed there are Facilities for disabled guests. More importantly, the staff seem genuinely helpful and ready to assist. It's good to know even in such a place.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, You Know, Hygiene is Important): A+ here folks. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Like, everywhere. They have Anti-viral cleaning products and it feels like they're constantly wiping things down. Rooms are cleaned daily, and I even saw them doing professional-grade sanitizing services between stays. Made me feel, you know, safe. They also have a first aid kit available.
- Anecdote: I'm a bit of a germaphobe (don't judge!), and the sheer cleanliness put me at ease. Even the common toilets (yes, there’s one in every hostel, let's be honest) were properly clean.
Internet Access (Because, Instagram!): Okay, so Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! sounds great on paper! But, and this is a big but, the internet can be spotty. Internet [LAN] is available, which is good for the serious workers (me, occasionally), but it does fluctuate. Public areas fare better, with Wi-Fi in public areas. Still, the struggle is real in Myanmar. The frustration of waiting on the internet did not feel like a deal-breaker, as many of our group were able to get things done.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Fueling the Fun): Holy. Moly. This is where Ostello Bello really shines.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Included, with a mix of Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, and everything in between. Fuel up for the day, and they offer a Breakfast takeaway service if you're an early riser.
- Restaurant and Bars: They have Restaurants, a Poolside bar, and a Snack bar. Happy hour is a must-do; seriously, factor it into your budget. I loved the Asian cuisine in the restaurant. Always good food options for my friends.
- Quirk Alert: The coffee shop is decent, but be warned, you're in Myanmar, not Milan. Don't expect barista-level perfection.
- Extra Points: Cashless payment service. No fumbling for lost kyat in the dark.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax (Because, Downtime is Crucial):
- The Pool (and the Pool Party!): Let's be real. The Swimming pool, the Swimming pool [outdoor], the Pool with a view – that's the main draw. The pool party is legendary. Good music, fun people, and the overall vibe is just…joyful. You might make friends, or lose your sunglasses. The pool is a great place for pictures. I'm not much of a swimmer, but I loved watching and taking pictures.
- Other Options: They have a Spa/sauna. I didn't try it, but they have a Massage service, and Fitness center.
- Anecdote: I somehow ended up doing a beer chugging contest at the pool party and lost. Badly. I was hungover the next day, but had no regrets.
Services and Conveniences (Making Life Easier):
- Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safe deposit boxes, Car park [free of charge], Airport transfer. They thought of everything!
- Contactless check-in/out - This is a huge perk during after Covid-19.
- Quirk Alert: I needed to do Dry cleaning and it was a pain, and it took a long time to get done.
The Rooms (Where You Rest Your Weary Head)
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Coffee/tea maker, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector
- My Take: Comfortable, clean, and they get the job done. Wi-Fi [free] worked surprisingly well in my room. I had a Window that opens and I was lucky enough to have a View. They aren't fancy, but they're comfortable, and that's what matters after a day of exploring temples and boozing at the pool.
The Staff (The Heart of the Operation)
This is where Ostello Bello truly excels. The staff are genuinely friendly, helpful, and seem to genuinely care about your experience. They're fun, and they know how to create a great atmosphere.
The Verdict: Should You Book?
YES. Absolutely. If you're looking for a fun, social, and affordable hostel in Bagan, Ostello Bello is the place to be. Yes, the internet can be a pain, and yes, you might lose your sunglasses. But that’s part of the adventure, right? This hostel has got a lot of the bells and whistles.
Final Thoughts (And Maybe a Few Tears):
I usually don't write reviews, but I had to share this place. It's more than just a hostel; it’s an experience. Honestly, I'm already planning my return.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to embark on a virtual trip with me, a truly imperfect human, to Ostello Bello Bagan Pool. And trust me, it'll be less "Lonely Planet perfection" and more "drunken bus ride towards enlightenment" (hopefully with less projectile vomiting).
ITINERARY: Bagan, Myanmar - A Messy, Glorious Adventure
Day 1: Arrival and the Immediate Panic
- Morning (7:00 AM): Arrive in Bagan via… well, let's just say a bus. Not the most glamourous experience, especially after trying to sleep upright on a lumpy, rickety seat. My back feels like it's been tangoing with a rhino. Stepping out of the bus, the heat hits you like a brick wall. First thought? "Dear God, did I actually pack enough sunscreen?" (Narrator: She did not). Second thought: "Is that a temple? Already? This is going to be overwhelming, isn't it?"
- Morning (8:00 AM): Drag myself and backpack into Ostello Bello. The pool looks amazing. I repeat, looks amazing. Right now, all I want is a shower. And maybe a hug. And a nap… and a cold beer.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Check-in. Success! My dorm room is (thankfully) air-conditioned. But wait, that guy is snoring already? Seriously? The audacity of this guy! I swear, some people have a built-in decibel meter that immediately calibrates to "highest setting: sleeping." Unpack, mentally prepare for the day. Realizing pretty quickly that I can't unpack as I am too lazy to do that.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Explore the hostel. Finding the free breakfast buffet is a victory. The coffee is… well, let's call it "rustic." But the banana pancakes? Divine. Absolute perfection. Makes up for the snoring guy!
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Walk to the nearby restaurant, because walking is a great way to see the place and to earn my food. I'm a bit grumpy, I'm hot and I'm tired. I order the most popular dishes and eat them, then the heat makes up for it and I'm sweating again.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): The Real Battle Begins. The first temple visit! Forget the "well-planned itinerary." I hopped on an e-bike (which I nearly crashed within the first five minutes – those potholes are vicious), and started exploring. My god, the temples. They’re everywhere! I mean, everywhere. Like, imagine a city exploded, and instead of rubble, you get centuries-old, magnificent structures. I was immediately overwhelmed, but in the best way possible. It took my breath away. Literally. The heat made my lungs feel like I was breathing through a hairdryer.
- Afternoon (5:00 PM): Found a perfect spot on some temple to catch the sunset. The feeling of being surrounded by ancient temples, with the sky painting itself in fiery hues of orange and purple, was just… breathtaking. I could have cried. I almost did. But there were crowds of tourists, and I would look dramatic. So I held it together.
- Evening(7:00 PM): Dinner back at the hostel. I meet some other travelers. The hostel really helps you socialize. I have some beer, I laugh and talk, and I make new friends.
- Evening (9:00 PM): Fall into bed. Pass out. Dream of temples and endless horizons.
Day 2: The Sunrise and the Struggle Bus
- Sunrise (5:00 AM): Woke up to the alarm, not because I wanted to, but because I felt I had to. Got on and e-bike and went to the temple to see the sunrise. Everyone was there. A beautiful sight. And an e-bike ride is a lot of fun at that time.
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast. I feel like I am on a diet of banana pancakes, but is is fine.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Second temple visit, and this time I focused on the story of the place. The guide was super awesome. I learned a lot.
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Trying new lunch place and food now.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): I get a massage. Oh, pure bliss.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Back to the temples. Exploring more.
- Evening(7:00 PM): Dinner with new friends.
- Evening (9:00 PM): More beer. More talking. More laughter. Fall asleep with a smile on my face.
Day 3: Farewell, Bagan (And My Sanity)
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast. Final breakfast.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Do some final temple visits.
- Lunch (12:00 PM): I say goodbye to my new friends.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): The long ride to the next destination.
Quirky Observations and Afterthoughts:
- The E-bikes: Hilarious. A constant danger, but also the best way to explore. I swear, I saw a guy in a full suit riding one. Respect.
- The Dust: It's everywhere. Accept it. Embrace it. You'll be covered in a fine layer of red dust by the end of the day. Consider it a souvenir.
- The People: The smiles! Every single person I met was unbelievably friendly and helpful. Myanmar has a special place in my heart because of the kindness of the people and the beauty of the place.
- The Food: So damn good. Everything. Eat everything.
- Regret: I wish I had stayed longer. Three days weren't enough to explore everything. But, hey, it's an excuse to come back, right? Also, should have learned some basic Burmese phrases – my attempts at "hello" and "thank you" were embarrassing.
Emotional Reactions:
- Overall? Absolutely, unequivocally amazing.
- Worst moment? The bus ride. The snoring guy. The potholes.
- Best moment? The sunrise, hands down. And those banana pancakes. And the feeling of just being there.
- Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Bagan, you beautiful, dusty, temple-filled enigma, I'll be back for you.
So, there you have it – a slightly chaotic, utterly human account of my time in Bagan. It wasn't perfect, definitely wasn't glamorous, and I ran into some problems, but it was real. It was wonderful. And it’s a trip I suspect I’ll be reminiscing about for a very, very long time. Now go, explore. And remember to bring sunscreen!
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Bagan's BEST Pool Party Hostel? Ostello Bello's Paradise Awaits! (Or Does It?) Frequently Asked Questions - Raw & Real
Okay, so, Ostello Bello's *actually* a paradise? Or is that just marketing hype?
The pool party… is it *really* a party? Or just a bunch of awkward dudes on laptops?
What about the actual *hostel* part? Is it clean? The dorms… survivable?
What's the food like? I'm starving. And slightly hungover.
Is it noisy? I like sleep, actually.
What's the crowd like? Is it a bunch of obnoxious frat bros?
Can you book tours through the hostel? Are they a rip-off?
What's the Wifi like? Essential for those Instagram moments.
Okay, so, overall – would you recommend it? Spill the tea!


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