Gabriela F.
Google
For my first international solo trip and my first time staying at a hostel, I can confidently say I made the right choice choosing this place. I spent a lot of time reading reviews beforehand, and I’m writing this with the same honesty I looked for when booking.
The staff truly made the experience. Catherine and Rica were my absolute favorites. All the staff are great, but I interacted with these two the most and they consistently made me feel welcome. Catherine especially deserves a raise — she is always talking to someone, making people feel heard and included, no matter how busy things are. She was the first person I met at the hostel and set the tone for my entire stay. Rica also deserves major recognition for her informative and fun tours, and for knowing exactly how to get the energy going later in the day. You can tell they’re both genuinely passionate about what they do, and it shows.
I truly believe the people can make or break a hostel, and in terms of staff, you have nothing to worry about here. I met amazing people and felt like this hostel and I were a perfect match.
I did take a point off for safety due to an unfortunate incident with another guest who stole my crossbody bag while checking out. This isn’t on the hostel, but it’s a reminder to always keep everything locked in your locker, even for a moment. I also dinged one point for cleanliness because the first time I used the bathroom, I walked into a clogged stall, though I never experienced anything like that again. The showers were great with really nice water pressure.
While I don’t recommend it, I did walk to a self-service laundromat around 2am and personally didn’t feel unsafe, though I’m used to being out late in cities like New York — take that context for what it’s worth. I mention this only to say the hostel is in a generally good neighborhood near great spots in the city.
It was a bit pricey for New Year’s, but I don’t regret what I spent at all — the experience, people, and memories made it worth it. If you love to party, this place is a perfect match. The staff truly make it feel like a family, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to leave with a good story.