I stayed at Shalom Backpackers, McLeodganj for 4 days, and unfortunately, my experience was disappointing from the very first day until I checked out. Based on my stay, I would not recommend this hostel to anyone looking for a pleasant and comfortable experience.
The biggest disappointment was the management and customer service. Both the staff and the management were unhelpful and showed very little interest in addressing guest concerns. Whenever I needed assistance or had a request, it was either ignored, delayed, or handled with an indifferent attitude. Good hospitality was completely missing throughout my stay.
The cleanliness of the hostel was also below expectations. The rooms, washrooms, and common areas were not maintained properly, making the overall environment feel unhygienic and poorly managed. Basic cleanliness should never be compromised, especially in a hostel where many travelers share the same facilities.
The facilities did not justify the price being charged. Several amenities were either poorly maintained or not functioning as expected, and the property clearly lacked proper upkeep. It felt like guest comfort was not a priority.
Another major issue was the poor communication. Important information was not communicated clearly, and whenever questions were asked, the responses were vague or unhelpful. Instead of making guests feel welcome, the overall attitude made the stay frustrating and unpleasant.
Even after spending 4 days at the hostel, nothing improved. The same poor service, lack of professionalism, and disappointing hospitality continued throughout my stay. I expected a much better experience based on the hostel's reputation, but it failed to meet even basic expectations.
Overall, this was one of the most disappointing hostel stays I've had. Poor customer service, lack of cleanliness, unprofessional management, and inadequate maintenance made the experience completely unsatisfactory. I would not recommend Shalom Backpackers, McLeodganj to fellow travelers. There are much better hostels in the area that provide cleaner facilities, better hospitality, and genuinely care about their guests.
We were here with our 2 yrs old and it's our first trip with baby and we were v nervous but tbh the hospitality over here was beyond perfection. Mr. Manish was so cooperative and friendly . They helped us in everything no matter what the time was. Cherry on top is the food they provide. The food is delicious and can customize as per our need ( we needed light food for our baby).
Highly recommended. We got perfect parking just outside of the property . No mess only relaxation.
Writing this review on 02/06/2026 at 09:30
Sorry for the wait guys was kind of busy yesterday so couldn't give an update.
Now for the review, This is the shalom hostel, kind of cheap compared to other hostels but still way out of my price range, still I booked a dorm for 1 day.
For the booking I would recommend go to the reception desk, that way u can bargain otherwise prices online r kind of on the higher side and they r hard to negotiate, as that is easy to track and trace and this will have negative effect on their reputation.
I have visited verious other guest houses and hostel, like hostellers, zostel, EDM, etc and I can guarantee that price range here is the best.
Now about the service, there is common area on ground floor as well as first floor. On ground floor common area there is reception desk, waiting area, garden and games like table tennis, carrom, chess, etc. On first floor common area, there is cafe, outer sitting area with came fire, cafe (it's manu has been uploaded in photos) kitchen, washroom and some rooms.
The service here is good the guy at reception was friendly and kitchen staff was also very friendly.
For the rooms and food tase I will update this review so stay tuned.
They have everything that is required for a good stay so I would highly recommend you to stay here.
Had an amazing stay at Shalom Backpackers McLeodganj! The location is beautiful, surrounded by the Himalayas and close to Bhagsu Nag Waterfall. The hostel is clean, well-maintained, and has a very friendly atmosphere. The staff were helpful and welcoming throughout my stay. The rooms and common areas were comfortable, Wi-Fi worked well, and the café was a great place to relax and meet fellow travelers. Perfect for solo travelers, backpackers, and anyone looking for a peaceful stay in McLeodganj. Highly recommended!"
The best thing about the stay is the view. the view from the room is fabulous. the food is good and the service is quick. however there is sometimes electricity issues. the overall hostel vibe is good. they host bonfire every evening which feels good in cold weather.
