# Hostelworld Reviews — Ratings & Text (`bakos_bence/hostelworld-reviews`) Actor

Scrape Hostelworld public reviews by property URL — rating scores, stay dates, and traveller-type aggregates. Review text is opt-in. Unofficial; not affiliated with Hostelworld. Drop-in input for easyapi/hostelworld-reviews-scraper.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/bakos\_bence/hostelworld-reviews.md
- **Developed by:** [Bakos Bence](https://apify.com/bakos_bence) (community)
- **Categories:** Travel
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $0.03 / 1,000 results

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).

# README

### What does Hostelworld Reviews Scraper do?

**Scrape Hostelworld public reviews** by property URL — **rating scores, stay dates, room/group aggregates**. Review **body text is opt-in** (`includeReviewTexts`, default off). **Reviewer identities are never scraped.** Export **JSON or CSV** via Apify API, schedule, or MCP.

**Unofficial.** This Actor is **not affiliated with, endorsed by, or maintained by Hostelworld Group.** It reads **public** review listings only.

**Dashboards:** connect **Power BI**, **Tableau**, **Looker Studio**, or **Qlik** to the dataset API — see *Export to Power BI, Tableau, Looker Studio & Qlik* near the end. **AI agents:** paste this Actor’s Store page URL into an Apify-capable agent (MCP / Claude / Cursor with Apify), create an Apify account and API token once, and the agent can run the Actor and wire up the output.

**Hostel research stack:** a Hostelworld listings Actor in the same account discovers city-search prices (Store page after publish). Pair flight fares from [Ryanair Fare Scraper](https://apify.com/bakos_bence/ryanair-fares) or [Wizz Air Fare Calendar Scraper](https://apify.com/bakos_bence/wizzair-routes-fares).

#### Why use this Hostelworld reviews scraper?

- ⭐ Multi-category rating breakdowns without reviewer names
- 🏨 Property URL in → review rows out (`hostelUrls` + `maxItems`)
- 🔑 Drop-in input for `easyapi/hostelworld-reviews-scraper` (`hostelUrls`, `maxItems`)
- 🛡️ Reviewer nickname / user id / age / gender always null

#### How to scrape Hostelworld reviews

1. Open this Actor in [Apify Console](https://console.apify.com/).
2. Click **Start** on the prefilled Tokyo hostel URL (`maxItems` 5). Review text stays **off**.
3. Paste more hostel details URLs with `display=reviews`. Leave stay dates out of the URL.
4. Turn on `includeReviewTexts` only if you need public review wording (identities still stripped).

```json
{
  "hostelUrls": [
    "https://www.hostelworld.com/pwa/wds/hosteldetails.php/CITAN-Hostel/Tokyo/274237?display=reviews"
  ],
  "maxItems": 5,
  "includeReviewTexts": false
}
```

#### How much does it cost?

**PPE:** Actor start + each review **result**. About **$4.29 / 1,000** on Free; lower on paid plans (see Pricing tab).

#### Input

| Field | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| `hostelUrls` | Hostelworld property detail URLs |
| `maxItems` | Cap on reviews per property (prefill **5**) |
| `includeReviewTexts` | Default **false** — omit review body text |
| `proxyConfiguration` | Apify Proxy when needed |

#### Sample output

Default run (`includeReviewTexts` false) — ratings and stay metadata, no body text, no identities:

```json
{
  "hostelUrl": "https://www.hostelworld.com/pwa/wds/hosteldetails.php/CITAN-Hostel/Tokyo/274237?display=reviews",
  "id": "12345678",
  "date": "27 Jan 2026",
  "notes": null,
  "rating": { "value": 9 },
  "user": { "id": null, "nickname": null, "gender": null, "nationality": { "code": "US", "name": "USA" } },
  "groupInformation": { "age": null },
  "recommended": true
}
```

#### Related Actors

| Actor | Use together when… |
|-------|-------------------|
| [Hostelworld Listings Scraper](https://apify.com/bakos_bence/hostelworld-listings) | City search → hostel listing rows |
| [Ryanair Fare Scraper](https://apify.com/bakos_bence/ryanair-fares) | You build a **flight + hostel** trip panel |
| [Wizz Air Fare Calendar Scraper](https://apify.com/bakos_bence/wizzair-routes-fares) | You add **Wizz** fare calendars to the same feed |
| [Hostelworld Reviews Scraper](https://apify.com/bakos_bence/hostelworld-reviews) | *(this Actor)* — property URLs → review rows |

Profile: [bakos\_bence on Apify](https://apify.com/bakos_bence)

**Actor ID:** `bakos_bence/hostelworld-reviews`

#### FAQ

##### Is this official Hostelworld software?

No. It is unofficial and not affiliated with Hostelworld Group.

##### Do you scrape reviewer names or photos?

No. User id, nickname, gender, image, and age are always null. `includeReviewTexts` only toggles public review wording.

##### Do I need a Hostelworld account?

No — public review listings only.

##### Something broke?

Open the **Issues** tab on this Actor’s page.

#### Export to Power BI, Tableau, Looker Studio & Qlik

After a run, rows live in an Apify **dataset**. You can download JSON/CSV/Excel from the Dataset tab, or point BI tools at a **CSV URL** that refreshes when you scrape again.

**Prefer the token in the URL** (`token=`) — most tools only need “open this link as CSV”, with no custom headers.

##### Build a refreshable CSV URL

1. In Apify Console, open **Settings → Integrations** and copy an API token.
2. Save this Actor as a **Task** (optional but best for dashboards), run or **schedule** it once so there is a successful run.
3. Use the **latest successful task run** URL (replace `TASK_ID` and `YOUR_TOKEN`):

```text
https://api.apify.com/v2/actor-tasks/TASK_ID/runs/last/dataset/items?format=csv&clean=true&status=SUCCEEDED&token=YOUR_TOKEN
```

Or, from any finished run, open the **Dataset** tab, copy the dataset ID, and use:

```text
https://api.apify.com/v2/datasets/DATASET_ID/items?format=csv&clean=true&token=YOUR_TOKEN
```

Anyone with that URL can read the data — treat it like a password. For recurring dashboards, prefer the `actor-tasks/…/runs/last/…` form so refresh always hits the newest successful scrape.

##### Power BI

1. Open Power BI Desktop → **Home** → **Get data** → **Web**.
2. Paste the CSV URL (including `token=`).
3. When asked how to sign in, choose **Anonymous** → **Connect**.
4. Confirm the preview is a table (CSV). **Load** or **Transform data** as needed.
5. Publish / schedule refresh in the Power BI service using the same URL (task `runs/last` keeps it current after each scrape).

`401`: token missing/wrong, or you did not pick **Anonymous**.

##### Tableau

1. Install Tableau’s **REST API** connector from Tableau Exchange (Desktop **2023.3+**).
2. **Connect** → **To a Server** → **REST API**.
3. Paste the CSV URL (including `token=`). Set response format to **CSV**.
4. If the connector asks for auth and the token is already in the URL, leave credentials empty / anonymous; otherwise paste the same token as a Bearer access token.
5. Create an **extract**. Refresh the extract after scheduled Task runs (or point at `runs/last` so each refresh loads the latest success).

Plain **Text file** connect still works if you download CSV from the Dataset tab once — use REST when you want repeatable refresh.

##### Looker Studio

Looker Studio has no strong built-in “private CSV API” connector. Use Google Sheets as the bridge:

1. Create a Google Sheet. In **A1** enter:

```text
=IMPORTDATA("https://api.apify.com/v2/actor-tasks/TASK_ID/runs/last/dataset/items?format=csv&clean=true&status=SUCCEEDED&token=YOUR_TOKEN")
```

2. Wait until columns fill (Sheets refreshes IMPORTDATA periodically).
3. In Looker Studio → **Create** → **Report** → **Google Sheets** → select that spreadsheet / tab.
4. Build the report. After each Actor/Task run, refresh the Sheet (or wait for IMPORTDATA) then refresh the Looker data source.

One-off alternative: Dataset tab → download CSV → Looker Studio **File upload**.

##### Qlik

**REST connector** (refreshable):

1. In Qlik Cloud / Qlik Sense → **Add data** → **REST** (or create a REST connection in the Data load editor).
2. URL = the CSV URL including `token=`. Method **GET**.
3. Set the expected response type to **CSV** (or use `format=json` and JSON mode).
4. **Test connection**, pick the table, **Add** / **Load**.
5. **Reload** the app after scheduled scrapes; with `runs/last`, each reload pulls the latest successful dataset.

**Files:** Dataset tab → download CSV → **Add data** → upload the file (fine for a single snapshot).

#### SEO keywords

hostelworld reviews scraper, scrape hostelworld reviews, hostel review api, hostelworld ratings export

# Actor input Schema

## `hostelUrls` (type: `array`):

Paste Hostelworld hostel details URLs (display=reviews). Leave stay dates out of the URL.

## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):

Cap how many reviews to return per hostel. Leave at 5 for a cheap first run.

## `includeReviewTexts` (type: `boolean`):

Leave off to omit review body text (ratings and stay metadata only). Reviewer identities are never scraped.

## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):

Enable Apify Proxy if your egress is blocked.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "hostelUrls": [
    "https://www.hostelworld.com/pwa/wds/hosteldetails.php/CITAN-Hostel/Tokyo/274237?display=reviews"
  ],
  "maxItems": 5,
  "includeReviewTexts": false,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `overview` (type: `string`):

Dataset items

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "hostelUrls": [
        "https://www.hostelworld.com/pwa/wds/hosteldetails.php/CITAN-Hostel/Tokyo/274237?display=reviews"
    ],
    "maxItems": 5,
    "includeReviewTexts": false,
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": false
    }
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("bakos_bence/hostelworld-reviews").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "hostelUrls": ["https://www.hostelworld.com/pwa/wds/hosteldetails.php/CITAN-Hostel/Tokyo/274237?display=reviews"],
    "maxItems": 5,
    "includeReviewTexts": False,
    "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": False },
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("bakos_bence/hostelworld-reviews").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "hostelUrls": [
    "https://www.hostelworld.com/pwa/wds/hosteldetails.php/CITAN-Hostel/Tokyo/274237?display=reviews"
  ],
  "maxItems": 5,
  "includeReviewTexts": false,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  }
}' |
apify call bakos_bence/hostelworld-reviews --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,bakos_bence/hostelworld-reviews"
        }
    }
}

```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/2dBpKSIc0QX9ttw6e/builds/gFpI4vhDBNKYXp5mp/openapi.json