Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviewsBalaio Hostel Ilha Grande is often celebrated for its remarkable location in the charming village of Abraão, making it an ideal base for exploring Ilha Grande. The hostel is conveniently situated just five minutes from the pier and near the main street, providing easy access to markets, bakeries, restaurants, and beautiful beaches. Despite this central position, Balaio Hostel remains a tranquil retreat thanks to its peaceful ambiance on a quiet street, complemented by a lovely garden that enriches the environment.
Guests consistently praise the exceptional staff for their warmth, friendliness, and attentiveness, creating an inviting atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. The manager and staff members, including volunteers like Richard and Nat, stand out for providing remarkable service, aiding guests in planning activities and ensuring a comfortable stay.
The cleanliness of Balaio Hostel is notably impressive, with facilities that are reliably maintained by diligent staff. The kitchen and bathrooms are frequently highlighted for their tidiness, contributing to the hostel's well-organized and welcoming setting. Rooms are appreciated for their cleanliness and regular maintenance, although some guests suggest improvements in the cleanliness of bathrooms and room decor.
The hostel offers a wonderful kitchen for guests to prepare their own meals, including breakfast, although coffee is available to start the day. While there is a restaurant across the street for breakfast, some guests feel that offering breakfast in-house could enhance the experience. The shared kitchen is commended for its organization and cleanliness, adding to the hostel's inviting atmosphere.
Room accommodations present a mixed experience, with many guests valuing the spacious and comfortable rooms, especially in dormitories with features like individual curtains and air conditioning. However, some reviews mention issues with hard mattresses and cramped spaces, impacting the overall comfort. Beds draw diverse opinions, with many appreciating privacy features like curtains and power outlets, while others highlight discomfort due to firmness or plastic coverings.
Wi-Fi at Balaio Hostel receives mixed feedback, with some guests experiencing good connectivity while others face challenges like weak signals or lack of access in certain areas. Despite these concerns, for many visitors, the Wi-Fi suffices for basic needs during their stay.
Overall, Balaio Hostel Ilha Grande provides a well-located haven with exceptional service and cleanliness, offering a largely positive experience with scope for minor improvements in certain accommodations and amenities. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Hostel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
This hostel features upcycled furnishings and eco-friendly amenities. It also participates in a tree-planting initiative.
Dog Friendly Hostel
This hostel welcomes dogs of any size without additional fees, and cats are also allowed. This makes it a convenient and budget-friendly option for pet owners. The hostel's inclusive pet policy ensures a comfortable stay for all guests.
Dogs Stay Free
Hostel near The Beach
Small Hostel
Hostel where Dogs Stay Free
Room Types
Double Room with Private BathroomThis double room features a private bathroom, air conditioning and garden views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Family RoomThe family room provides air conditioning, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 2 beds.
Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory has air conditioning.
SuiteThe air-conditioned suite has 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower. Guests can make the most of a patio and a balcony. The unit has 1 bed.
Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory features air conditioning.
Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
Guest Reviews
9.2
Excellent
Location
Nestled in the charming village of Abraão on Ilha Grande, Balaio Hostel offers a remarkable location that makes it an ideal base for exploring the island. Situated just five minutes from the pier, this hostel is conveniently close to everything travelers might need, including the main street with its diverse array of markets, bakeries, and restaurants. Its central position allows easy access to both the town center and a range of beautiful beaches, making it perfect for those keen to soak up the sun or dine at nearby establishments.
Despite being close to such amenities, Balaio Hostel enjoys a peaceful ambiance on a quiet street, offering guests a tranquil retreat after a day of island adventures. The hostel is complemented by a beautiful garden, creating a lovely environment to unwind. Guests frequently highlight the exceptional service, noting the friendly and welcoming staff who contribute to the vibrant atmosphere. Balaio Hostel stands out as a well-located haven with an incredible environment on the captivating Ilha Grande.
Breakfast
Balaio Hostel Ilha Grande offers guests a wonderful kitchen where they can prepare their own meals, including breakfast. While a typical hotel breakfast is not provided, coffee is available in the morning, allowing guests to start their day refreshed. The convenient location of the hostel also benefits guests, as there is a restaurant right across the street where breakfast can be enjoyed. Some guests expressed a desire for breakfast to be offered at the hostel, suggesting it could enhance the overall experience. Nonetheless, the hostel provides facilities for those who prefer to craft their own morning meal, complemented by a nearby dining option.
Rooms
Balaio Hostel Ilha Grande offers a mixed experience in terms of room accommodations. Guests frequently appreciate the cleanliness of both rooms and bathrooms, noting that they are regularly maintained. The rooms and dorms consistently provide ample space, with several guests highlighting spacious and comfortable bedrooms. In particular, the dormitory for eight guests is praised for its size and privacy features, such as individual curtains on the beds and air conditioning, which enhance comfort and personal space.
However, some aspects could benefit from attention. Although the beds in many rooms are described as super comfortable, other reviews mention hard mattresses and occasionally uncomfortable beds. Additionally, the hostel's older decor and some cramped dormitory spaces may detract slightly from the otherwise positive experience. Ventilation could also be improved, as humidity and odors sometimes accumulate in crowded rooms.
The shared kitchen stands out as a well-organized and clean space, contributing to the hostel's welcoming atmosphere. Despite a few critiques, guests find that the essential amenities are provided for a pleasant stay, and the private rooms, though simple and without a minibar, are often seen as perfect for a relaxing visit. Overall, Balaio Hostel presents a balanced mix of comfort, privacy, and cleanliness, with scope for minor improvements in certain room features.
Beds
The beds at Balaio Hostel Ilha Grande provide a mixed experience for guests, with many appreciating the comfortable beds, complimenting their design features such as curtains and power outlets that add a touch of privacy and convenience, particularly in shared dormitories. Some guests noted the inclusion of individual sockets and lockers, enhancing their stay. However, a few reviews mentioned issues with comfort, citing mattresses that were too firm or thin, and some even described them as slightly uncomfortable or hard. The plastic covering on the mattresses was pointed out as a downside, potentially causing discomfort through increased sweating. Noise was another concern; squeaking beds disturbed sleep in dormitories, and some found the proximity of beds a bit challenging despite the privacy curtains. Additionally, there were occasional mentions of beds being dirty or uninviting. Overall, while comfort is largely satisfactory, there are specific areas that might require attention for a more universally pleasing experience.
Cleanliness
Balaio Hostel Ilha Grande consistently impresses guests with its high standards of cleanliness. The hostel is praised for its immaculate and tidy environment, with facilities that are reliably maintained by the attentive staff. Both the kitchen and bathrooms are frequently noted for their cleanliness, contributing to a well-organized and inviting atmosphere. Guests appreciate the thorough cleaning of the rooms, which are tended to on a daily basis. While the cleanliness of the bathrooms is mostly acceptable, some feel there is room for improvement compared to local standards. The hostel's efforts to provide clear labeling for food storage enhance the overall sense of organization. The combination of a serene garden and diligent staff further enriches the guest experience, adding to the satisfaction of staying in such a clean and peaceful setting.
Staff
At Balaio Hostel Ilha Grande, guests consistently praise the exceptional staff for their warmth, friendliness, and attentiveness. The team is known for being incredibly welcoming and engaging, creating an inviting atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Visitors appreciate the helpfulness of the staff, who are always ready to offer recommendations and assistance, whether it's for planning hikes, boat trips, or ensuring a comfortable stay. The hostel's environment brims with good vibes, largely attributed to the caring and engaging nature of its people.
The manager receives particular commendation for effectively overseeing operations, reflecting the strong management positively impacting guest experiences. Staff members, including volunteers, are described as kind and attentive, contributing to the hostel's reputation as an accommodation that blends incredible service with cost-effectiveness. Exceptional staff members, especially Richard and Nat, are highlighted for their remarkable service. Overall, guests celebrate Balaio Hostel as a place with extraordinary people who contribute significantly to its welcoming atmosphere and outstanding service.
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi situation at Balaio Hostel Ilha Grande receives mixed feedback from guests. While some visitors found the connection worked well or even great, others encountered issues, particularly with stability and coverage. The front room seems to lack Wi-Fi access entirely, and some guests experienced weak connectivity, affecting video calls or resulting in nonfunctional internet at times. Despite these challenges, for some guests, the Wi-Fi was sufficient for their needs during their stay.
No, Balaio Hostel Ilha Grande doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Balaio Hostel Ilha Grande.
Yes, Balaio Hostel Ilha Grande welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Balaio Hostel Ilha Grande.