we sayed at the hotel, not the hostel. The staff has very poor English. Breakfast is mostly chinese. one of our rooms had aproblem with the toilet and a man was sent from maintanance to fix it 3 times! they refused to change the room. We came back to the same room 2 weeks later for 1 night and the problem was still there! Location isn't central, although they claim it's 15 minuties walk from the center it's more like 30 min.

Stayed here twice, about 5 days apart. Our first room seemed in need of a good vacuuming and the shower curtain was covered with mildew. However, during our second time there a few days later our room (just a few doors down from our previous room) was immaculate, including the shower curtain. So it seems to depend on the room you get. Friends were traveling with us and their room was fine both times. We paid 480 CNY (about $74) a night, and buffet breakfast was included, though more Asian choices than Western. The women working the front desk were extremely helpful and most spoke English. We also used the travel agency located in the hotel to book bus and plane tickets and they were wonderful, especially since we had learned that sometimes at airports and especially bus terminals English is not spoken.

Please note that the "massage" place that seems to be connected to the hostel part of this hotel was a little seedy and should be avoided.

This is a typical Chinese low budget hotel. It had its good days long ago. Hotel lacks motivated staff, poor English. Restaurant is dirty with poor quality food and a lot of mosquito's. Rooms have very hard beds. For us the type once but never again. There must be better places in Kunming.

Camellia Kunming Hotel has been quite a popular choice among budgeted Western travellers. It now has web-bookings available. It's cheaper to book via their website or by calling their sales department. No point talking to the front desk, whose attitude has always been 'take it or leave it' type.
Unfortunately, recently they put up this subway construction thing right in front of the front gate of the hotel, making it very inconvenient to catch a cab. The bus stop has however shifted nearer to the hotel.
Pro :
1. Provides free breakfast (7-10am), with coffee, toast (butter, jam too!), and a variety of chinese dishes.
2. Also provide transport to the airport at 10rmb/person @designated timings. Only for departure and no arrival pickup though.
3. Has luggage deposit @1rmb/30days.
4. Free unlimited wireless internet and also some English TV channels.
5. As long as rooms are available, they do allow early check-in, even at 10am in the morning!