This collection of bottles is evidence of good times at the hostel Unests. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Guests Samantha Beyerlein (left), from Germany, and Margarida Correia Santos, from Portugal, catch up on the news with each other. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Baoshan district in Shanghai is home to a new style of hostel designed for young international professionals who appreciate a friendly atmosphere with their accommodation in China. Unests opened in 2013 and it has become a social center and accommodation haven for young people from all around the world.

Unests comprises four villas and six apartments split into two sections. "Tenants here can share the communal area and we regularly host parties and events at which everyone is welcome," explained Ding Ye, one of the hosts.

Guests relax in the hostel's communal area. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

The pool table is a popular haunt. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Since last July, the center has welcomed more than 500 guests, half of them foreigners and all aged from 20 to 28. "Guests from more than 40 countries have stayed here including people from every Southeast Asian country," said Ding.

When Ding was a salesman he traveled frequently and stayed in hotels where he found it difficult to wash clothes. He also missed company and often the only people he could talk to were the hotel reception staff. It inspired him to start thinking about a new mode of accommodation for travelers and he shared his ideas with a like-minded friend, 21-year-old Wang Chaowei, who was also a constant traveler and has visited more than 17 countries.

"When I traveled I found many young people preferred staying in hostels, because they could make friends there even though some of them could afford five-star hotels," Wang said.

The big attraction of the Unests is its communal area. Wang converted the ground floor of one of the villas into a communal area with a pool table, piano, bar and television.

Turkish visitor Tuygun Oruc enjoys her life at Unests. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

A piano sits in a corner of the communal area. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Paul Rosenzweig, from Boston, the US, arrived here in July for his fourth stay. "I like it! They have a good culture here, like a lot of living space. Some hostels are similar, but most are not like this at all. People here are very similar in that they come from different places and do similar things in China, so we get along very well." Although Rosenzweig can never be sure how long he will stay in China when he visits, his preferred accommodation will always be Unests.

As well as sharing cultures, guests can also find unexpected help. Last July, a young German man who came to Shanghai for an internship moved in. When Wang discovered the man was working in a remote place in Baoshan district, he bought a bicycle and a phone card for him and introduced him to xiaolongbao (stuffed steamed buns), which the German fell in love with.

Relaxing on her bed Anindya Miralaksmi, from Indonesia, is in Shanghai on a trip. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Exchange students, young people on internships or business trips constitute most of the guests. "You can sit with your friends here, watch movies and eat together - that's the most important thing for me. It feels like home," said Tuygun Oruc, a recently arrived girl from Turkey.

To stay here costs about 2,800 yuan ($455.57) a month, somewhat more than the average 2,000 yuan for a room in the area.