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Summary of reviewsRepública Hostel Cartagena is an outstanding choice for travelers due to its prime location in the heart of Cartagena’s historic center. The hostel is ideally situated within the walled city, making it an excellent base for exploring key attractions, markets and vibrant local spots on foot. Proximity to restaurants, cafes, bars and essential services adds significant convenience and guests appreciate the safety and welcoming atmosphere.
Guests generally appreciate the breakfast for its tasty, delicious and freshly prepared dishes that change daily, providing good value. However, some guests feel that the portions are small and the selection could be improved with particular attention needed during busy periods to ensure better organization.
The rooms are often praised for their comfort and cleanliness with air conditioning providing relief from the tropical heat. Private rooms with balconies are particularly noted for spaciousness and added amenities. Though dormitories can feel compact, especially those with 12 or more beds, the clever layout and additions like curtains around dorm beds enhance privacy and comfort. However, there are some concerns about noise, limited ventilation and occasional maintenance issues.
Cleanliness is another strong point with daily cleaning services ensuring tidy common areas and private rooms. The staff is highlighted for their friendliness, attentiveness and ability to foster a vibrant and welcoming social environment. Although occasional lapses in politeness and organization are noted, most guests find the staff to be a standout feature.
While the modern and stylish facilities receive high marks, the hostel’s Wi-Fi can be inconsistent, especially in the bedrooms. The connection tends to be better in common areas, which might be an issue for those needing reliable internet.
The pool areas, particularly the rooftop pool, are praised for being refreshing and well-maintained, providing a great spot to relax and socialize. Despite some concerns about size and access times, the pool remains a beloved feature.
In summary, República Hostel Cartagena offers a comfortable and vibrant stay with standout location, friendly staff and well-maintained amenities, making it a popular choice for travelers looking to explore Cartagena’s rich cultural and historical offerings. Show more
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Categories
Cheap Hostel
Located in the historic center, this hostel provides a budget-friendly stay within the walled city. Its central location offers easy access to restaurants, bars, and various activities.
Hostel with Swimming Pool
Outdoor Pool
Hostel for Adults Only
Small Hostel
Hostel with Outdoor Pool
Room Types
Bunk Bed in 14-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory has a balcony, air conditioning and seating area.
Single Bed in Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory features a balcony, tile/marble floor and air conditioning.
Double Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room This bed in dormitory has a tile/marble floor, air conditioning and seating area.
Double Room with Private BathroomThis air-conditioned double room has a seating area, an outdoor dining area, pool views and a private bathroom. The unit has 1 bed.
Bed in 12 -Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory features a seating area, air conditioning and tile/marble floor.
Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory has air conditioning and seating area.
Deluxe King RoomThe double room offers air conditioning, a minibar, a balcony with city views as well as a private bathroom boasting a bath. The unit has 1 bed.
Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory has air conditioning and seating area.
Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory has a seating area and air conditioning.
About República Hostel Cartagena
License: 46848
Guest Reviews
8.3
Very Good
Location
República Hostel Cartagena enjoys high praise for its outstanding location, ideally situated in the heart of Cartagena’s historic center. Guests consistently highlight the hostel’s central position within the walled city, making it perfect for those looking to explore key tourist attractions, markets and vibrant local spots on foot. The proximity to restaurants, cafes, bars and essential services like pharmacies and supermarkets adds significant convenience. Safety within the central locale is another appreciated aspect. The hostel is not just well-placed for sightseeing but also benefits from a welcoming atmosphere created by the staff and social areas. Overall, its enviable location and accessibility make it a prime choice for visitors wanting to immerse themselves in the rich cultural and historical offerings of Cartagena.
Breakfast
República Hostel Cartagena is a popular lodging choice with mixed reviews about its breakfast offerings. Guests generally agree that the breakfast served is good with many describing it as tasty, delicious and very nice. Freshly prepared dishes that change daily are a highlight for many, offering a level of variety that appeals to long-term guests. Options often include pancakes, eggs with bread or arepas, yogurt with muesli and other simple yet satisfying choices.
The breakfast is included in the price for those who book it, which many find to be a good value. Despite the positive remarks, some guests feel that the portions are small and the breakfast could offer more variety. The lack of fruits and limited options caused some disappointment with a few guests suggesting improvements in both the selection and the organization of service, noting that the process can sometimes be slow.
The atmosphere during breakfast is often noted as pleasant with friendly and attentive staff enhancing the experience. However, there are occasional mentions of unpolite service and poor workflow management when the hostel is busy.
While the breakfast has its critics, many guests find it to be a great start to their day. The positive aspects such as taste, freshness and friendly service seem to outweigh the negatives for the majority of visitors, making it an overall nice feature of República Hostel Cartagena.
Rooms
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Cartagena's historic center, República Hostel Cartagena offers a unique blend of comfort and conviviality. The rooms are generally praised for their comfort and clean conditions with air conditioning providing a reprieve from the city's tropical heat. Many visitors appreciate the added privacy of curtains around dorm beds and individual fans, noting that the layout cleverly separates shared spaces to enhance tranquility.
Private rooms, particularly those with balconies, receive high marks for their spaciousness and added amenities such as seating areas. This thoughtful design extends to larger private suites featuring minibars and hot water facilities.
However, some guests noted that the dormitories tend to be compact, especially those housing 12 or more beds with limited ventilation and storage space. Noise from the street can be an issue for rooms facing outward, but interior air-conditioned rooms provide a quieter alternative. It's important to note that air conditioning often only operates during the night, which might leave the rooms warm during the day.
The hostel's charming décor and daily cleaning services contribute to a welcoming ambiance, although some maintenance issues like noisy doors and broken lockers have been reported. Bathrooms in shared rooms generally lack hot water, a common gripe among visitors.
Location-wise, guests rave about the hostel's proximity to key attractions, eateries and vibrant nightlife, making it an excellent base for exploring the city. Despite minor drawbacks like occasional cleanliness lapses and small shared spaces, República Hostel Cartagena remains a popular choice for travelers seeking a blend of comfort and a lively social scene in Cartagena.
Beds
República Hostel Cartagena offers a mixed experience when it comes to the beds in its accommodations. On the positive side, many guests have praised the beds for being very comfortable with several reviews specifically mentioning the cozy and private feel provided by the curtains around each bunk, which is a thoughtful addition for privacy. The individual lights and fans for each bunk bed also add to the convenience, making it easier for guests to settle in comfortably without disturbing others.
Numerous reviews highlighted the comfort of the mattresses with some guests noting that the beds were cozy, clean and even spacious in certain dorm layouts. The private cubicles provided good separation, which many guests found ideal for ensuring some personal space in shared dorm rooms. There were consistent mentions of the structure being good with curtains, personal plugs and lockers as well-thought-out inclusions.
However, the experience wasn't universally positive. Some guests found the mattresses to be old, uncomfortable, thin and even bug-infested in rare instances. The top bunk beds were particularly critiqued for being difficult to access and uncomfortable due to their height. A notable number of guests found the rooms, especially the dormitories, to be quite cramped, which could contribute to a sense of claustrophobia.
Apart from the beds, the cleanliness was another point of contention with some reviews mentioning dirty beds and outdated bedding. Small lockers, lack of sufficient storage space and issues with the dorm layout were also points of criticism. Upper beds without curtains and the difficulty of climbing to them added to the list of concerns for taller or less mobile guests.
In summary, while República Hostel Cartagena generally provides comfortable beds with good privacy features in a well-located setting, there are areas that need improvement to ensure a consistently pleasant stay for all guests, especially concerning mattress quality and dormitory layout.
Cleanliness
República Hostel Cartagena offers a mixed experience with cleanliness as highlighted by guest reviews. On the positive side, the hostel features clean and comfortable rooms with daily cleaning services ensuring a tidy environment. The common areas, including the well-kept swimming pool and beautifully decorated spaces, are often noted for their cleanliness. Guests frequently mention that the cleaning staff are diligent, often seen maintaining cleanliness throughout the day, which ensures areas like the main common rooms remain pleasant and organized.
However, the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers has room for improvement. Some guests reported dirty and poorly maintained facilities with clogged toilets and uncomfortable layouts affecting their stay. While efforts are made to clean these areas regularly, the high number of guests can sometimes overwhelm the maintenance efforts. Additionally, concerns about stained sheets, cobwebs and occasional pests like ants have been noted, suggesting that deeper cleaning routines could be beneficial.
Overall, while the República Hostel Cartagena maintains a generally clean environment, particularly in the common areas and private rooms, the bathroom facilities require more consistent and thorough attention to meet all guests' expectations.
Staff
República Hostel Cartagena has garnered mixed reviews regarding its staff with a predominant focus on positivity. The team, including permanent employees and volunteers, is frequently praised for their friendliness, attentiveness and helpful nature. Many guests highlighted individuals such as Mateo, Gaby, Ronny, Gabriela and Danna, noting their exceptional service and warm welcomes. The reception and bar staff are repeatedly mentioned for their sociability and professionalism.
Guests appreciated the vibrant atmosphere and the staff's enthusiasm in organizing social activities and events. The combination of a great location and the dedication of staff members like Sandra, Daniela and Jesus contributed to a pleasant stay for many visitors.
However, a few guests had less favorable experiences, describing some staff as unhelpful or uninterested. These instances seem to be exceptions in an otherwise positive reception.
Overall, the staff at República Hostel Cartagena is largely celebrated for creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment, making it a standout feature of the hostel.
Wi-Fi
República Hostel Cartagena features modern and stylish facilities that are well-maintained, clean and updated. The decor is contemporary, aesthetically appealing and user-friendly, contributing to a charming and comfortable atmosphere for guests. Despite these positive aspects, the hostel's Wi-Fi has received mixed feedback from guests. While some enjoy a strong, reliable connection in common areas and find the internet service good enough to work from the hostel, others report issues with the Wi-Fi not reaching the bedrooms, being slow or unstable in certain spots. Free Wi-Fi is available, but its performance seems to vary with better connectivity in communal areas like next to the bar. For travelers who require a consistent and strong internet connection in their rooms, this variability may be a drawback. Nonetheless, the overall facilities of República Hostel Cartagena receive high praise for their cleanliness, modernity and attractiveness.
Pool
República Hostel Cartagena garners a variety of feedback about its pool facilities, which are generally viewed positively by guests. The pool area, often described as refreshing and well-maintained, offers a welcome respite from the heat of Cartagena. Many guests appreciate the pool's cleanliness and inviting atmosphere, noting that it's a great spot to chill out during the midday heat. The pool is also praised for its sociable and lively environment, making it a perfect place to relax and meet new people.
Some guests mention the pool being smaller than expected, though still adequate for a quick dip and relaxation. It is particularly liked for being a refreshing and aesthetically pleasing feature in the hostel's common areas. The rooftop pool also receives favorable remarks for its lovely setting, despite its small size.
However, there are mixed reviews about the pool's maintenance. While some guests find it well-kept and clean, others have faced issues with cleanliness, excess chlorine and occasional neglect. The limited access to the pool before 3 pm is also noted as a downside.
Overall, the pool at República Hostel Cartagena stands out as a significant plus for guests, enhancing their stay with its cooling waters and social ambiance amidst the city’s heat.
Adult Only
República Hostel Cartagena provides a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere aimed at adult customers, making it a great option for mature travelers. The environment is well-organised and inclusive, ensuring a welcoming experience for everyone. The hostel's clean rooms with careful attention to detail enhance its appeal, particularly for solo travelers. It is recognized as a perfect and safe place for those traveling alone, offering a fun stay for solo adventurers. This adult-friendly hostel is an excellent choice for solo adult travelers looking for a comfortable and secure experience.
Outdoor Pool
República Hostel Cartagena features a variety of pools that are consistently praised for being clean and refreshing, making them a perfect retreat during the super hot days in Cartagena. The hostel offers both a lovely rooftop pool with a divine view of the city and smaller pool areas that maintain a serene and relaxing atmosphere. The pool area is highlighted as a beautiful setting and a notable addition to the hostel's amenities, often described as a place to chill and unwind.
Guests frequently enjoy the sociable and vibrant atmosphere around the pools, where lively activities such as pub crawls and other social events are organized. This creates a fun and engaging environment for travelers looking to connect and interact with others. Despite some mentions of the indoor pool being unavailable at times, the outdoor pool remains a cherished feature, appreciated for its cleanliness and the overall experience it provides. The pool area supports a good social vibe, adding to the hostel’s appeal as a lively and friendly destination in Cartagena.
Yes, República Hostel Cartagena has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at República Hostel Cartagena.
No, República Hostel Cartagena doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at República Hostel Cartagena.
No, República Hostel Cartagena doesn't have a gym.