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Summary of reviewsEl Barrio Hostal in Cartagena emerges as a highly regarded accommodation choice, especially noted for its excellent central location. Nestled in the heart of the historic city center, the hostel is highly praised for its proximity to key tourist attractions, shops and restaurants, making it an ideal base for exploring Cartagena's rich cultural heritage. Despite its bustling surroundings, guests appreciate the tranquil and safe atmosphere it provides.
The hostal receives numerous positive remarks for its breakfast offerings, served in a charming first-floor café. Visitors commend the variety and quality of the food with options including fruit, coffee, waffles, scrambled eggs and toast. Though improvements in variety and portion sizes are suggested, the overall consensus is that the breakfast is delicious and satisfying, accompanied by prompt and pleasant service.
Rooms at El Barrio Hostal are described as clean, cozy and well-maintained with necessary amenities such as air conditioning contributing to a comfortable stay. While the small size and lack of windows in some rooms pose challenges, guests appreciate the cleanliness and practical amenities, including balconies and access to a shared kitchen. The exceptional cleanliness extends to all areas of the hostel with consistently spotless private and shared spaces, creating a hygienic and pleasant environment for all.
The staff at El Barrio Hostal stand out for their exceptional hospitality. Guests describe the team as incredibly friendly, polite and helpful with specific praise for staff members like Laura and Juli. The warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the attentive staff significantly enhances the overall guest experience.
El Barrio Hostal also scores high marks for its reliable and fast WiFi, a standout feature compared to other accommodations in Colombia. Comfortable and spacious beds further contribute to a restful stay, though some improvements could be made regarding bunk bed noise and occasional inconsistencies in room preparation.
Overall, El Barrio Hostal offers excellent value for money with its strategic location, fantastic staff, tasty breakfast and immaculate facilities, making it a top choice for travelers wishing to explore Cartagena. Show more
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Categories
Hostel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Cheap Hostel
Hostel for Adults Only
Small Hostel
Room Types
About El Barrio Hostal
License: 62622
Guest Reviews
8.7
Very Good
Location
Nestled in the heart of Cartagena, 'El Barrio Hostal' boasts an unbeatable location that truly stands out among its many attributes. Residing within the historic center of the city, it offers guests the convenience of being within walking distance to numerous tourist attractions, shops and restaurants. The hostel's proximity to the walled city and its iconic landmarks, such as the Clock Tower, offers an exceptional base for exploring the cultural treasures of Cartagena.
Reviewers highlight the ease of access to the hostel and the tranquility it provides, despite its central position. Many point out that you can return to your room multiple times a day without hassle. The lively yet serene atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for both relaxing and embarking on adventures around town.
Moreover, the area is praised for being exceptionally safe and clean, allowing visitors to feel comfortable as they stroll through the historic streets. With everything from historical sights to dining spots just a stone's throw away, 'El Barrio Hostal' indeed offers excellent value for money.
Coupled with welcoming and helpful staff and comfortable rooms often equipped with necessary amenities like air conditioning, this hostel is a gem within Cartagena's vibrant old town. Its strategic and central location means that guests need not spend extra on transportation, making it a practical and economical choice for visitors eager to immerse themselves in the city's rich history and charm.
Breakfast
El Barrio Hostal seems to consistently impress its guests with its breakfast offerings. The breakfast is often described as very good, tasty and delicious. It is typically served at the café on the first floor, which guests find convenient and charming. A variety of options exist, such as fruit, coffee, waffles, scrambled eggs and toast, which cater to different tastes.
Guests appreciate the quality and the freshness of the food, noting that the breakfast is simple but satisfying and sometimes even quite abundant. Some specific mentions include the preparation of eggs to order, the inclusion of tropical fruits and the generally high quality and quick service.
Despite the majority of positive feedback, a few guests pointed out that there could be improvements in terms of variety and portion size. Additionally, some felt the breakfast service could start earlier to accommodate early risers and those with scheduled tours.
Overall, the breakfast at El Barrio Hostal is well-received with many guests complimenting its taste, quality and the pleasant service accompanying it.
Rooms
El Barrio Hostal receives mixed reviews regarding its rooms, but many guests noted positive aspects of their experiences. The rooms are described as very clean, cozy and well-maintained with everything necessary for a comfortable stay. Those who stayed appreciated the air conditioning, which worked perfectly and mentioned rooms being comfortable enough for resting and exploring the city and nearby beaches.
However, it's evident from the feedback that the rooms are generally very small and some lack windows, which affects ventilation and daylight. Certain reviews highlighted issues such as cramped spaces, making it difficult for two people to move around and a lack of practical bathroom design. Despite these drawbacks, the rooms served their purpose for guests whose primary plan was sightseeing rather than spending time indoors.
Guests praised the clean and pleasant smell of the rooms and appreciated amenities like having a balcony in some rooms and access to a shared kitchen, although noise from the kitchen was noted as a downside. Overall, if visitors don't mind the small size and occasional lack of windows, El Barrio Hostal offers a sufficient and comfortable stay for travelers looking to explore the locale.
Beds
El Barrio Hostal offers a mix of experiences when it comes to the beds available to guests. Generally, the beds are recognized for being comfortable with many guests praising their super comfortable and spacious nature. Positive remarks highlight the large, clean and cozy rooms that come equipped with very comfortable mattresses. The comfort of the bedding had a significant number of mentions, contributing to a comfortable stay.
However, there are a few areas that could use improvement. Some reviewers noted that the bunk beds can be quite noisy and uncomfortable, detracting from an otherwise pleasant experience. Additionally, a few guests mentioned issues with room size and ventilation, particularly pointing out small rooms lacking windows and the resulting musty smell. There were also occasional comments about dirty bed linen and non-functioning bed lights which suggest inconsistencies in room preparation.
Overall, while El Barrio Hostal generally offers a comfortable sleep experience with spacious and clean beds, potential guests might want to be mindful of room type and specific features like bunk beds when making reservations.
Cleanliness
'El Barrio Hostal' stands out for its exceptional cleanliness, consistently praised by guests. Numerous reviews highlight the spotless state of both private and shared areas, including bathrooms, showers, kitchens and balconies. The hostel’s spaces are described as impeccably maintained, tidy and hygienic, contributing to an overall comfortable and quiet ambiance. Guests frequently commend the high standards of cleanliness, remarking on clean and well-kept facilities. The hostal not only fulfills but exceeds expectations in maintaining a pristine environment, making it an excellent choice for those valuing cleanliness during their travels. Despite some isolated mentions of occasional lapses in bathroom cleanliness, the overwhelming consensus points to a very clean organized and beautifully decorated hostel, enhanced by friendly and helpful staff.
Staff
The reviews of El Barrio Hostal paint a clear picture of a place where hospitality takes center stage. Guests consistently praise the kindness and helpfulness of the staff, describing them as incredibly friendly, polite and attentive. Receptionists are particularly noted for their exceptional support, whether assisting with excursions or handling any inquiries. The staff's prompt and courteous service extends to all areas of the hostel, creating an environment where visitors feel at home and well taken care of.
Guests frequently highlight the excellent customer service, noting how staff members go out of their way to accommodate needs, provide information and ensure a pleasant stay. The reception team, especially Laura and Juli, receive numerous commendations for their attentive and supportive behavior. Additionally, the hostel stands out for its simple yet thoughtful amenities, such as free filtered water and loaner water bottles, which enhance the overall guest experience.
Despite a few mentions of communication issues, the overwhelming consensus is that the staff's friendliness and eagerness to assist more than make up for any shortcomings. The warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the team is a recurring theme with many visitors specifically recalling the genuine kindness and attentiveness that made their stay memorable. Whether it's the impeccable service at breakfast or timely responses to every question, the staff at El Barrio Hostal truly excel at making guests feel valued and comfortable.
Wi-Fi
El Barrio Hostal has received numerous positive comments about its internet quality with several guests noting the strong and fast WiFi available throughout the property. The internet access is described as reliable and significantly better compared to other places in Colombia. Besides the excellent WiFi, the hostel features well-maintained and clean facilities, providing additional amenities like very good air conditioning in the rooms and a cold drinking water machine in the kitchen. Overall, guests have been pleased with the good internet connection and the well-kept environment at the hostel.
No, El Barrio Hostal doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at El Barrio Hostal.
No, El Barrio Hostal doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at El Barrio Hostal.