Viva Hostel Design

Wouldn’t usually write a review but feel this needs to be mentioned. The rooms have a serious black mould problem. Our bedding was damp, affected by the mould and you could smell it. The rooms are not very well ventilated and the air con doesn’t work which probably doesn’t help. There is a review on hostel world from 2 years ago stating this issue but this clearly hasn’t been resolved. Whilst some staff were very polite and patient with us (we are English speakers) others we felt were quite rude. On one occasion we walked in from a day out to be confronted immediately with some hostility over some confusion regarding washing. When myself and my companions approached the desk to speak with the member of staff we were given to gesture to move back as though we were ill. When you arrive the staff ask you to sign a document stating you will follow the hostel rules, which includes not smoking on the hostel premises and keeping noise down after 10pm. Of course, we had no issue with this, however on multiple occasions we saw other people smoking by the door leading into the common area and being loud long after 10 at night. We were unsure but it looked like some of the people may have been working at the hostel. This is our experience of a 4 night stay, they seem to have long stay and returning customers, but we felt largely unwelcome by many of the people. This may be due to the language barrier (which is understandable), or the fact we were short stay, but either way a very odd vibe in this place. It felt like the hostel was for staff rather than for guests, with most of the social area taken up by staff. Multiple were seen sleeping on common room sofas during our stay. We understand that night shifts can be hard but surely a staff member should be awake? Either way it felt as though a lot of the staff were living there.

This hostel offers welcoming amenities including a large kitchen, dining, and living area. The rooms offer spacious single and double beds with large, metal lockers. The beds are built into concrete bunks, and offer privacy. The price was 650 Brazilian Reais for 12 nights, and there is on-site laundry for 30 reais. There is even a ping-pong room with music and seating. This is a good hostel for groups of 4 to 8 people.

Nice location, walking distance to Batman alley. You do have to walk up and down hills but that is generally how São Paulo is. A lot of space for your sleeping area that includes a plug in and light. The plug-in for my locker wasn’t working (not sure if I was only my locker). I like how the common area and kitchen is spacious. I would give it 5 stars if they improved the kitchen utensils.

Viva Hostel design is probably one of the best hostels I've ever stayed in!||The staff are very friendly and helpful, and most of them speak English and even if they don't they do their best to help you.||The neighborhood is pretty nice and fairly quiet and safe. There are some restaurants/bars within walking distance but the main ones in Villa Madalena and are a bit far to walk. Sao Paulo and especially Villa Madalena have very steep hills, so even short walks are quite tiring. This includes the walk to Villa Madalena subway station. It's quite easy overall to get around on the subway, but the station is just a few stops from stations along Paulista Avenue.||The hostel overall is very clean and well kept. The commons area has a good amount of seating. The TV room with Netflix is a wonderful bonus, but obviously most of the time it's taken. There is a large kitchen with lots of storage space and cooking space to make your own food.||I stayed in the six bed mixed dorm. The pod style of the beds is innovative and provides a bit of privacy, and the individual sockets and bed light is great! There are individual lockers right in the rooms too. The beds are comfortable and clean. ||I would highly recommend this hostel!

I stayed here for two nights. The night I arrived they were giving out free caipirinhas from 7-9 - woohoo! The hostel space is beautiful and the dorms are cleverly designed. Dorm beds are built-in compartments in a cement block structure, the opening for the compartment is half the length of the bed, so there is some privacy and you don't bother the person below you getting up and down, etc. They could only improve the beds by putting a curtain to draw across the opening to max out privacy - a suggestion for the owners! Great idea putting electrical outlets in the bunks and the lockers. Hot hot hot shower. Nice breakfast. Wifi works in common areas, but not rooms. The staff is very friendly, especially Jobani who took a group of us to one of the popular samba bars in Vila Madalena to see a live samba band on Sunday. Highly recommended!

I loved my stay in Viva Hostel! It is close both to the Vila Madalena and the Sunset Square (which is pretty good to check out if you are lucky to have a sunny day in Sao Paulo). It was around 10 to 15 minutes walk to Aspicueta, the main Street of Vila Madalena.||||The bunk beds were phenomenal! They were made of cement, meaning they didn't shake, made noises and also had a good privacy. All the beds had their own light and Powerplug, which is always good for travelers!||||At night they had free caipirinhas and I have to give a shout out to Jovane, a chef working there who made the most amazing Santa Maria dishes! Delicious meals, strongly recommend!

I have been travelling for 6 months around South America and this was the WORST hostel I have stayed in during my time. Firstly, we arrived in the morning after travelling on a bus for 12+ hours. Even though our beds in the dorm were ready, we were made to pay extra for early check in (I have never experienced this). The bathroom in the dorm was DISGUSTING. I know people are supposed to take care of their own rooms etc. But it was never once cleaned during our 4 night stay, despite us asking the staff if they would clean it. This meant the bin was always full, there was no toilet paper and the shower was always GROSS! The dorm was also very dirty, also never clean. Makes me wonder if they ever changed the sheets on the bed. Another time, someone spilt a beer in the dorm and just left it. I asked the manager if I could have something to clean it up with (expecting him to offer to come and clean it). All he handed me was some paper leaflets to soak it up with, and he carried on watching TV. I wish I could put no stars on this review, but unfortunately I have to put one.

WARNING - lose your plastic keycard and get fined 50 reales ($10 usd) in an age where other hostels just print you a duplicate or new one and people don't even return it this seems exorbitant. Pro. Amazing comfortable beds inside stone looking walls. Large kitchen area to do work. Con. Bathroom faucet is annoying, keeps shutting off and drips onto your feet. Needs to be cleaned rusty floors and bar towel by bed. Wifi is super slow. Need walk up a giant hill to go back to more populous streets, super quiet area. Staff is very nice.