I dont usually do write ups on hostels and just mention them in passing but this was a unique family atmosphere that invites you in as one of their own. They are not a real family but close friends who have all developed very close friendships. They really enjoy working here and meeting foreigners and make you feel part of their inner group.

They all speak good english which is a very big help. Two guides came with our group to the overnight grassland stay, Kwai and Zigi, who is actually from Ulaan Bator Mongolia and came to work in the hostel. She has visited San Francisco and London as well. As part of the evenings activities collecting the dried cow dung for the fire they spontaneously broke out into traditional folk songs as we walked thru the grasslands.

As well as airport pickup/drop off for 60Y ($9), they provide you with local maps and instructions on which buses to take to local sights, which stop to get off, and where the bus stops are. Internet is really cheap 4Y/hr (.60 cents) or 1Y per 15 minutes. Jessie (her english name) seems to be the base camp co-ordinator organizing trips and receiving guests. She also has a chinese name and her original mongolian name but she wouldnt tell me.

The bedrooms, lounge, and reception are decorated with many posters and artwork of traditional mongolian life and Ghengis Khan. The outside courtyard also has a wall mural of horses in the grasslands.

Rooms are quite nice and comfortable. I had a private double room with shared bathroom for three rooms for 160Y ($24) off hostelbookers although I think there was a price increase for new bookings. Dorm rooms also seemed to have quite nice bunk beds for 60Y ($9). Staff all live on site so it is well kept and doesnt take on the appearance of a well worn student dorm like some hostels.

They offer several out of town excursions. I did the overnight grasslands tour for 380Y ($57). Horseriding is an extra 65Y per hour ($10). The tour can be single day for 280Y ($42) or overnight with the Yurt stay. Lunch, Dinner, and Breakfast the next day is provided by a very hospitable local family. There are many 'tourist theme parks' nearby where you can stay, but this is authentic at a local family farm.

The yurt was very comfortable with a sleeping bag and two blankets per person, but you can take more if the yurt does not have the max six people staying. There was also electricity, a light bulb, and a power socket, although there is no running water or bathrooms so you can use the wide open grasslands. Bring your own drinking water and wet wipes.

Other tours include the Inner Mongolia portion of the Great Wall, and Gobi Desert Tours that include camel trekking, again with the option of one day or overnight. There was a desert tour leaving the next day after I left with five tour guides for the two guests going. It doesnt need five but again, the staff are such good friends and have so much fun together they all wanted to go.

The evening before I left there was a group dinner and singalong with the owner who also spoke english well. There was a mongolian hot pot and other dishes which they invited other guests to share with them even though it was their staff dinner for a local festival. They sang folk songs and taught us traditional games.

As I left everyone was hugging me, even the staff I didnt know. This was a really well run, hospitable stay, that really opened their arms to not just me but the other guests staying. I only ever had this experience once before at a family run hostel in Mostar, Bosnia where I felt like a distant relative come to stay.

A testiment to their hospitality is their entire stairwell and partial lounge is covered with graffitti of happy guests, a sort of guestbook, thanking the staff and sharing their farewell thoughts and memories. It was in several languages and people were happy to draw their flags of the many nations they had visited from.

Anda has a webpage at : http://andaguesthouse.com/
and I would highly recommend them for your stay in Hohhot and Inner Mongolia.