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Summary of reviewsKali Hostal offers travelers an inviting retreat with its prime location, blending convenience and tranquility. Nestled just off the main street, it provides easy access to El Tunco's beach, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife within a short walk, while maintaining a peaceful setting away from the hubbub. Guests value this strategic position, situated on the busier side of the river, enabling them to enjoy the local attractions while indulging in a serene atmosphere.
The hostal's simple yet clean rooms are generally well-received for their basic comfort, despite some discrepancies in mattress quality and room standards. While air conditioning and TVs add comfort, occasional damp smells and concerns over cleanliness detract somewhat from the experience. The hostel presents a mixed performance in cleanliness, with frequent mentions of a musty odor and issues like the condition of the shared bathrooms and pool cleanliness affecting guest satisfaction.
Interactions with the staff at Kali Hostal vary, with some guests praising the warm and helpful demeanor of certain employees, creating a positive atmosphere. However, others have encountered instances of inattentiveness, reflecting room for improvement in service consistency. Despite these variances, friendly and professional staff contribute positively to the overall guest experience.
The hostal is noted for being dog-friendly, with its resident dogs, including the memorable Toro, adding a charming touch to the visitor experience. Their friendly and affectionate nature generally enhances guests' stays, offering a delightful element to the hostal.
While the hostal's pool, shaded and inviting, has had mixed reviews due to maintenance concerns, the close proximity to the beach remains a major draw for visitors, promising an easy, relaxing coastal retreat. Overall, Kali Hostal serves those prioritizing location and basic comfort, though potential visitors should be prepared for occasional service and facility variances during their stay. Show more
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Categories
Homestay near The Beach
Located in Playa El Tunco, this hostel is near the beach. It provides affordable accommodations for travelers interested in surfing and beach activities.
Homestay with Free Wi-Fi
This is a homestay that provides free Wi-Fi. This amenity allows guests to stay connected and work remotely if needed.
Dog Friendly Homestay
Homestay with Swimming Pool
Private Pool Outdoor Pool
Homestay with Parking
Homestay with Outdoor Pool
Homestay with Private Pool Rooms
Room Types
Guest Reviews
7.0
Good
Location
Kali Hostal enjoys a prime location that has captivated its guests with the perfect balance of convenience and tranquility. Nestled just off the main street, it offers a peaceful retreat away from the bustling noise, yet remains within a short walking distance to the beach, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife of El Tunco. Guests appreciate its proximity, being just a few minutes’ walk from key attractions, while also providing a serene escape thanks to its quieter surroundings. The hostel’s strategic position on the busier side of the river means visitors are never too far from the action but can still enjoy the calming atmosphere when desired. Additionally, amenities like a refreshing pool, available air conditioning, and a well-equipped kitchen further enhance the guest experience, making Kali Hostal a standout choice for travelers seeking both relaxation and easy access to local hotspots in El Tunco.
Rooms
Kali Hostal presents a mixed experience when it comes to its accommodations, often highlighted by its simple yet clean rooms. Travelers appreciate the comfort of the beds, though opinions diverge on the quality of the mattresses—with some finding them comfy, while others feel they are decidedly hard or saggy. The diversity of room setups includes double beds and bunk beds, but some guests find the absence of a ladder for the bunk beds challenging, particularly in compact spaces. While equipped with amenities like air conditioning and TVs, the rooms sometimes fall short of expectations based on online representations.
The cleanliness of the facilities is generally satisfactory, but a recurring issue for many guests is the persistent musty and damp odor in several rooms, accompanied by occasional mold concerns. This is complemented by issues with private bathrooms, which are detached from rooms and may be less than pristine, at times becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Despite these challenges, the staff at Kali Hostal is frequently noted for being friendly and helpful. Moreover, its favorable location near El Tunco beach provides easy access to local attractions, adding a positive element to the overall experience. However, some guests faced unexpected charges and booking discrepancies, which led to dissatisfaction.
Overall, simplicity and value characterize the accommodations at Kali Hostal, appealing to those who prioritize location and basic comfort. However, potential guests should be prepared for occasional variances in room standards and the possibility of logistical issues during their stay.
Beds
Kali Hostal seems to offer a mixed experience when it comes to its beds. Several guests appreciated the comfort of the beds, highlighting instances where they were deemed comfortable, with especially fluffy pillows adding to the relaxation factor. However, the hostal's beds have received criticism regarding their condition and comfort levels. Some visitors found the mattresses to be hard, uncomfortable, or sagging, which affected sleep quality. Another point of concern was the assembly of bunk beds, which lacked ladders and posed a challenge for guests. Despite these negatives, the hostal's bedding has also drawn praise in some reviews, providing a cozy haven for travelers amid the bustling locale.
Cleanliness
Kali Hostal presents a mixed experience when it comes to cleanliness and upkeep. While the overall cleanliness of the bed linen is commendably decent, the hostal faces significant challenges in maintaining its facilities. The shared bathrooms, which are located outdoors, can be inconvenient during rainy weather and have been noted for not feeling particularly clean. Guests often mention a pervasive damp smell within the premises, likely indicating ongoing mold issues. The kitchen, which comes with an additional charge for use, also lacks the desired standard of tidiness.
The most consistent feedback revolves around the state of the pool, with many describing it as dirty and unswimmable due to its murky appearance and questionable maintenance. This detracts considerably from the experience, as a pool is often a key amenity guests look forward to using.
Additionally, interactions with the staff have been less than satisfying, with guests feeling ignored after being briefed on rules during check-in. There are also reports of dog feces on the grounds and an ant problem, further highlighting cleanliness issues that need addressing.
Overall, while there might be isolated areas of acceptable cleanliness, the hostal struggles with significant challenges that overshadow these positives.
Staff
Kali Hostal appears to evoke mixed feelings among its guests, with a particular focus on the experiences with the staff. The reviews reveal a noticeable divide: while some visitors report encountering unfriendly and inattentive behavior, others highlight the warmth and helpfulness of certain staff members. There are mentions of a sweet check-in experience from one staff member and consistently lovely interactions with others, depicting a team that is both welcoming and attentive. Guests frequently praise the staff as being very friendly and helpful, creating a positive atmosphere in some instances.
On the other hand, certain guests had less favorable experiences, encountering rude behavior and a lack of warmth, which affected their overall perception of the hostal. Instances of staff focusing excessively on monetary aspects were mentioned, alongside inefficient interactions that detracted from the overall guest experience. The lack of signage at the entrance added to the confusion and discomfort for some visitors.
In summary, it seems that while Kali Hostal boasts a number of staff members who enhance the guest experience with their friendliness and professionalism, there are some inconsistencies in service quality that may require attention to ensure a more uniformly positive experience for all guests.
Pool
Kali Hostal invites visitors with a convenient location near the city center and a lovely communal space. However, the swimming pool, while shaded and refreshing when the sun is up, presents a mixed experience. Some guests found it refreshing, while others noted it could benefit from a deep clean, with issues such as murky water and a lack of visibility at the bottom. The venue may need to address the appearance and cleanliness of the pool to ensure a consistently pleasant experience.
Beach
Kali Hostal boasts an enviable location just a short walk from the beach, making it an ideal choice for travelers eager to enjoy the coastal vibes. Guests appreciate the proximity, with distances ranging from less than five minutes to a ten-minute walk, ensuring easy access to El Tunco Beach. Despite its closeness to the beach, the area maintains a peaceful atmosphere with little noise, providing a relaxing environment. The hostal also offers a refreshing pool, perfect for unwinding on hot days when not out surfing. While the surroundings and amenities are favorable, it's noted that some aspects of the accommodation, like the false ceiling, may not be modern but remain functional. Overall, Kali Hostal stands out for its convenient location near the sea, offering a great spot for beachgoers.
Dog Friendly
Kali Hostal presents a welcoming atmosphere with its dog-friendly features that are frequently highlighted in guest reviews. The presence of the hostal's dogs adds a charming touch to the stay, with guests appreciating their friendly and affectionate nature. Among the canine companions, Toro stands out as a memorable highlight, often described as providing company to guests during their visit. The animals at the hostal contribute positively to the overall experience, as they are typically seen as inviting, friendly, and sweet by many. Despite occasional concerns about specific breeds, most guests find the interaction with the dogs to be a delightful addition to their vacation. While the hostal is praised for its dog-friendly environment, guests should note that the dogs may at times be energetic and playful, possibly causing minor disturbances. Nevertheless, their friendly demeanor seems to outweigh any inconvenience.
Yes, Kali Hostal has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Private Pool, Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Kali Hostal.
Yes, Kali Hostal welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Kali Hostal.