Clayton B
Google
Having spent a week in the Calilegua National Park (0 facilities!), I really wanted a half decent hostel to sort out my gear and relax for a dew days. Having had some up and down experiences with HI Hostels, I was pleasantly surprised with this one. If this hostel was the benchmark of all their hostels, few people would have anything but a good time. ||||Stayed in one of the dorms (2x triple bunks). Beds were OK, comfortable enough - if barely long enough to fit a 6'0 person in. Bathrooms were clean, although the toilets and showers were interesting. Shower is very small and also doubles up as the bidet... Toilet, well - lets say in all my life I have never seen one with the hole in front allowing for unintended examination of the business.||||There is a pool/jacuzzi although I didn't make use of it. While pretty dirty (sand from the multitudinous dust storms), it was cleaned the next day - definitely a first for me in Argentina. Outside are next to pool has reclining chairs - area is a little small, so if more that 4/5 people are out back it could get crowded. ||||Kitchen is par for the course, cutlery as with most places could do with some new arrivals. Large breakfast area doubles up as the entertainment area with a decent sized TV. Breakfast was on the better side so far, fresh bread, coffee, Dulche de Leche etc. Prices for beer and cold drinks were very reasonable. Staff were fantastic, I told them I had little interest in tours etc - what I really needed was some of the more mundane stuff sorted out like a decent laundry service. Most things a bit of a walk away (laundromat is 8 large blocks). I also needed some major components for my bicycle before heading into Bolivia. Again, I was pointed to a shop that would have fitted in comfortably anywhere in Europe/USA for the quality and variety of gear available. (pricey though!). ||||Get yourselves a copy of 'Get South' asap, this hostel knocks 10% of the already low rates on submission of said book (as do many hostels featured in it).