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Summary of reviewsHostal 1811 is widely celebrated for its prime location in Cartagena, situated at the intersection of the vibrant Getsemaní neighborhood and the iconic walled city, making it a perfect base for exploring local attractions and landmarks. Guests enjoy easy access to a wealth of cultural and historical sites, as well as the rich culinary and nightlife scenes, all within walking distance. The hostel's location is particularly convenient for visiting notable spots like the Clock Tower, Centenario Park and San Felipe Castle, combined with the lively and safe neighborhood setting.
The breakfast served at Hostal 1811, though simple, is frequently praised for its taste and completeness. Featuring items like eggs, bread, fruit, juice and coffee, many guests find it delicious and satisfying, often highlighting the fresh seasonal fruits. The breakfast staff earn commendations for their friendliness and excellent service, contributing positively to guests' experiences.
Rooms at Hostal 1811 are described as clean and functional, albeit small and often lacking natural light and ventilation. Cleanliness is a standout feature with high marks from guests for overall hygiene. The air-conditioned rooms and comfortable beds add to the appeal. Balcony rooms are particularly favored for their views and atmosphere. However, minor maintenance issues, occasional noise and basic decor are noted as areas needing improvement.
The hostel staff are highly regarded for their friendliness, attentiveness and professionalism. Guests frequently praise specific staff members for their outstanding service, which significantly enhances the overall experience.
Free Wi-Fi at the hostel receives mixed reviews. While some find the signal strong in the lobby, many report inconsistent coverage and weak signals in the rooms, indicating the need for better overall Wi-Fi performance.
Hostal 1811’s location in the heart of Getsemaní is perfect for nightlife enthusiasts, offering vibrant streets filled with bars and clubs. However, the bustling environment also brings high noise levels, which may disturb light sleepers.
Bed comfort receives general approval with guests appreciating clean and comfortable beds. However, some guests find the beds too hard or small and note occasional issues such as thin sheets and lack of blankets.
Overall, Hostal 1811 is a budget-friendly, adult-only accommodation that offers good value for money, especially for those prioritizing location, cleanliness and friendly service. While some minor inconveniences exist, many guests find the hostel a practical and enjoyable choice for an economical stay in Cartagena. Show more
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Categories
Cheap Hostel
Located in Cartagena, this hostel offers budget accommodation. Its location is convenient for accessing city attractions, making it a practical choice for cost-conscious travelers.
Hostel near Nightlife Spots
Hostel for Adults Only
Small Hostel
Room Types
Double Room with BalconyThis air-conditioned double room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with city views. The unit has 1 bed.
Small Double RoomThe double room provides air conditioning and a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The double room features a tiled floor. The unit offers 1 bed.
Small Single RoomThe single room provides a private entrance and a tiled floor, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Quadruple RoomThe quadruple room provides air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The quadruple room features a tiled floor. The unit offers 2 beds.
Standard Double Room with Air ConditioningThis air-conditioned double room includes a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom. The unit offers 1 bed.
Standard Twin RoomThis air-conditioned twin room includes a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom. The unit offers 2 beds.
Quadruple RoomThe quadruple room offers air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The quadruple room features a tiled floor. The unit offers 3 beds.
About Hostal 1811
License: 40947
Guest Reviews
7.9
Good
Location
Nestled in a prime spot, Hostal 1811 is celebrated for its strategic and central location, making it an ideal base for exploring Cartagena. Positioned right at the juncture between the vibrant barrio of Getsemani and the iconic walled city, it offers unparalleled access to a plethora of attractions. Guests find it especially convenient to wander through the historic streets, bustling squares and cultural landmarks—all within walking distance. The hostel's proximity to renowned sites such as the Clock Tower, Centenario Park and San Felipe Castle further enhances its appeal. Beyond historical exploration, the rich culinary and nightlife scenes of Getsemani are just steps away, ensuring visitors can effortlessly soak in the local ambiance. Hostal 1811's location not only facilitates easy movement to must-visit spots but also provides a safe and lively neighborhood setting, perfectly melding convenience with the vibrant spirit of Cartagena.
Breakfast
Hostal 1811 has garnered mixed reviews regarding its breakfast offerings, yet guests have consistently highlighted numerous positive aspects. The breakfast, which costs around 12,000 COP (~$3) if not included in the room price, typically features a combination of eggs, bread, fruit, juice and coffee. Guests often rave about the taste, describing the breakfast as delicious, satisfactory, balanced and very complete. Many reviews specifically mention the inclusion of fresh, seasonal fruits which adds a delightful touch to the meal.
Feedback often notes the friendliness and excellent service provided by the breakfast staff, who are respectful and warm-hearted in their approach. The traditional Colombian breakfast offered is seen as very good with some travelers considering it to be one of the highlights of their stay. Despite its simplicity, many find the breakfast to be excellent in both quality and quantity and it fulfills its purpose well.
However, there are mentions of the breakfast being repetitive with little variation, making it lackluster for some guests, especially those staying for multiple days. Some find it to be modest and basic with the occasional issue of running out of items or starting service a bit later than preferred. Nonetheless, the overall value for the price is often acknowledged positively and the simplicity of the meal doesn't seem to deter most visitors from appreciating their morning start at Hostal 1811.
Rooms
Hostal 1811, situated in a vibrant and central location, offers a mix of room options that cater to varying preferences, although overall guest feedback points to several common themes. Most notably, rooms are often described as very small and lacking in natural light and ventilation with many featuring no windows at all. Despite their size, the rooms are appreciated for being clean and functional with comfortable beds and working air conditioning being notable positives.
Some rooms come with a private bathroom and air conditioning, adding to the comfort, while those with balconies receive praise for offering great views and a more pleasant atmosphere. Cleanliness is generally marked high with numerous guests noting the overall clean state of the hostel, though some reviews mention occasional issues with stale smells and maintenance needs.
It's worth noting that some rooms can be quite noisy due to their proximity to busy streets or communal areas like reception and the breakfast area. Furthermore, several reviews cite problems with water pressure and the absence of hot water in showers. The decor is often mentioned as basic and lacking with many guests suggesting improvements, especially in terms of providing more furniture or space for clothes.
All in all, while Hostal 1811 excels in location and basic amenities, potential guests should be prepared for smaller, simpler accommodations and may want to request a room with a balcony to enhance their stay.
Beds
Hostal 1811 offers a diversity of bed experiences that have garnered both praise and critique from its guests. The consensus leans towards positive remarks with a notable frequency of guests highlighting the comfortable nature of the beds. Many found the beds clean and paired with good bedding and towels, which contributed to an overall comfortable stay. Airbnb enthusiasts have appreciated the combination bed options including double beds and bunk beds, which add flexibility to the accommodation.
On the other hand, some reviews pointed to issues such as beds being too hard, small or built against the wall leading to discomfort, particularly for couples or taller guests. Thin bedsheets and the absence of blankets were also noted with some guests waking up with back pain. Despite these drawbacks, numerous guests consistently praised the cleanliness and comfort of both the beds and sheets. In summary, while there are a few reservations regarding bed comfort at Hostal 1811, many visitors still attest to having a restful and clean experience.
Cleanliness
Hostal 1811 is noted for its impressive dedication to cleanliness with many guests frequently commenting on its spotless rooms and well-maintained facilities. The hostel is consistently described as clean, comfortable and well-organized. Guests particularly appreciated the hygiene standards, from clean sheets and thoroughly cleaned rooms to well-kept common areas. The cleaning staff received commendations for their kindness and attention to detail, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere.
However, the reviews also underline some inconsistencies. While many rooms were deemed very clean, others were occasionally reported to suffer from dust, hair in the bathrooms and damp towels. Some guests expressed dissatisfaction with the frequency of room cleaning and noted instances of rooms not being cleaned despite requests. There were also mentions of minor maintenance issues, such as leaks and the absence of daily cleaning.
Overall, despite a few hiccups, Hostal 1811 managed to maintain a reputation for excellent cleanliness and organization, making it a reliable choice for travelers prioritizing hygiene on a budget-friendly stay.
Staff
Hostal 1811 is highly praised for its exceptional staff, consistently described as friendly, attentive and helpful. Guests frequently commend the staff's kindness and the warm welcome they receive upon arrival. Many reviews highlight specific employees, such as Maria and Juana Valentina, for their outstanding service and attentiveness. The receptionists, housekeeping and kitchen staff are often noted for their professional and courteous demeanor, always ready to assist with any queries or issues. Although there are occasional mentions of less satisfactory experiences, the overall impression is one of a dedicated and caring team that goes above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay for their guests. The excellent customer service significantly enhances the overall experience at the hostel, making it a recommended choice for those visiting the area.
Wi-Fi
Hostal 1811 offers a mixed experience when it comes to Wi-Fi. While some guests praise the Wi-Fi signal as good and even flawless in certain areas, many others highlight significant shortcomings. The Wi-Fi is reported to be most reliable and strong in the lobby or reception area. However, issues such as instability, weak signals or the internet not reaching the rooms are recurrent concerns. Some guests have experienced no Wi-Fi at all during their stay, describing the connection as non-existent or terrible. This indicates that while the Wi-Fi can work well in specific parts of the hostel, its performance is inconsistent and less reliable in the guest rooms, suggesting a need for improvement in overall coverage throughout the property.
Nightlife
Hostal 1811 benefits from a prime location in the heart of Cartagena's vibrant nightlife scene. Situated in the lively Getsemaní neighborhood, it is nestled close to a plethora of bars, clubs and entertainment venues, making it an ideal spot for those looking to immerse themselves in the party atmosphere of the city. The street comes alive with colorful lights and bustling activity, providing a festive ambiance throughout the day and night. For those who enjoy the nightlife, its proximity to the party scene and local attractions like Centenario Park and San Felipe Castle is unbeatable.
However, the central location comes with a significant drawback: noise. Numerous reviews highlight the high noise levels that persist throughout the night, often until the early morning hours. Guests have reported issues with traffic sounds, ongoing road repairs, loud music from nearby nightclubs and general street noise, including honking cars and party buses. Staying on a quieter street provides some respite, but earplugs are highly recommended for a more peaceful sleep. The energetic milieu of Getsemaní justifies the noise for some, but light sleepers might find it challenging to rest.
In summary, Hostal 1811 offers an exciting and dynamic environment at the heart of Cartagena's nightlife, perfect for party-goers but potentially disruptive for those seeking tranquility during their stay.
Adult Only
Hostal 1811 offers an adult-only experience that appeals to those seeking good value for money. As an economical accommodation option, it stands out for its affordability and central location. Many guests find it to be one of the best cost-benefit choices in the area. The hostel is good for the price, providing a practical solution for budget-conscious travelers. However, it is worth noting that additional fees apply if you bring a guest, even if you book a room for two. There are also reports of noise disturbances from rappers shouting until dawn and invitations to bars with free drinks, which might detract from the overall experience for some visitors.
No, Hostal 1811 doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hostal 1811.
No, Hostal 1811 doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Hostal 1811.