Wassup Youth Hostel
by the TopOfHotel team
Wassup is a central George Town hostel with its own pool — cheap, social and aimed squarely at backpackers.
Wassup is a central George Town hostel with its own pool — cheap, social and aimed squarely at backpackers.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
A hostel with its own pool is rare in Penang, and that's exactly what makes Wassup Youth Hostel stand out. It sits in the middle of downtown George Town and leans hard into a social, backpacker atmosphere, with a review score around 7.8/10. There are both private rooms and dorm beds, so it works whether you're traveling solo or as a couple. Dorm beds start at roughly $9 a night — very cheap for a spot this central.
The honest part: quality is inconsistent. Some guests report bad smells in the room, and as a hostel you should set expectations to match — privacy and quiet are naturally limited here.
Food and amenities
The real draw is the outdoor pool, which you almost never get at this price, plus a games room, a pool table, an arcade and an in-house bar. That mix makes the place fun and easy to socialize in — you'll likely make new friends on the first night.
The flip side: the pool isn't always kept up, and because there's an in-house bar plus pubs nearby, nights can get loud. If you're a light sleeper, ask for a room away from the nightlife when you book.
Location and getting there
The hostel is in downtown George Town, near Chowrasta Market, one of the city's old wet markets. You can walk to the old-town sights — both the street art and the street food — so it suits anyone who wants to explore Penang on foot.
From the airport it's about 16 km, roughly 30-40 minutes by car.
Things to know before booking
This is a budget hostel, and it reads like one. The biggest knock is that quality varies: some reviews mention a cloudy pool and room odours, so the pool you picture may not always match what you find. There's an in-house bar and more pubs nearby, which means night-time noise is a real risk for light sleepers. And as a hostel, both amenities and privacy are limited — you're trading those for the price and the social scene.
Our take
Wassup is for backpackers and budget travelers who want a social atmosphere, want to meet new people, and care about having a pool at the hostel. If you can handle some night noise and uneven quality in exchange for very cheap beds and more to do than the average hostel, it's an interesting way to close out the list for true backpackers.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- It's a hostel with its own outdoor pool — genuinely hard to find at this price point.
- There's a games room, a pool table, an arcade and an in-house bar, so the atmosphere is social and fun.
- You get both private rooms and dorm beds, which covers solo travelers and couples alike.
- The location is central downtown, near Chowrasta Market and within walking distance of the old-town sights.
- Prices start very low, with dorm beds from around $9 a night.
- Quality is inconsistent — some guests report a cloudy pool and bad smells in the room.
- There are bars and pubs nearby, and some reviews flag noise at night.
- It's a hostel, so amenities and privacy are limited by nature.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Penang
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Insider Tips
- Ask for a room away from the bar and nearby pubs — some guests flag night-time noise.
- Use the games room and bar as your spot to meet other travelers; people connect here fast.
- Walk straight from the hostel to Chowrasta Market and the old-town street art and food.