Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviewsHostal Forest enjoys a stellar reputation for its prime location in the heart of Santiago de Compostela, just minutes from the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and Plaza del Obradoiro. Guests appreciate the accessibility to key landmarks, dining options, bars, cafés and public transport. The hostel strikes a balance between centrality and tranquility, providing a peaceful retreat without compromising convenience, making it a favorite among those completing the Camino de Santiago.
The rooms at Hostal Forest present a mixed bag with some guests commending their coziness, bright interiors, charming decor and cleanliness. Private balconies and pet-friendly policies add to the appeal for certain travelers. However, the rooms vary greatly in quality; many are described as small, cramped, outdated and occasionally not matching online photos. Cleanliness is another inconsistent aspect with some guests encountering mold, dampness and issues with bathroom maintenance.
Cleanliness feedback is similarly varied. While some visitors find the hostel impeccably clean, others raise concerns about hygiene, particularly regarding old and worn-out fixtures, dirty towels and mold. The contrast suggests a need for more rigorous upkeep and regular maintenance to ensure a consistent experience.
The staff at Hostal Forest consistently receive high praise for their exceptional friendliness and helpfulness. Guests often mention the welcoming atmosphere cultivated by the staff, particularly notable individuals like Avelina and Monse who go out of their way to ensure a comfortable stay. The team's dedication to service and personal touch stands out, contributing significantly to positive reviews.
Wi-Fi service at the hostel receives mixed reviews with many guests finding it satisfactory and reliable, though there are reports of connectivity issues, weak signals and the challenge posed by the thick old walls. Despite these hiccups, the hostel's overall accommodating environment remains largely unaffected.
The comfort of the beds also receives mixed feedback. Some guests find the beds cozy and equipped with warm blankets, while others criticize the lack of comfort due to saggy, worn-out mattresses and bed linen cleanliness issues. Improvements in bed quality could enhance the sleeping experience for future guests.
Lastly, Hostal Forest is celebrated for its pet-friendly policy, welcoming pets, including larger dogs without extra charges. Pet owners particularly appreciate the accommodation's inclusivity, making it a convenient option for those traveling with their furry companions, despite occasional minor disturbances from barking dogs.
Overall, Hostal Forest stands out for its unbeatable location, friendly staff and pet-friendly policies, though potential guests should be prepared for variability in room quality, cleanliness and bed comfort. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Dog Friendly Guest House
This hotel welcomes pets, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests traveling with animals.
Guest House with Free Wi-Fi
This guesthouse includes free Wi-Fi. Located on Rua de Abril Ares, it provides internet access for guests.
Cheap Guest House
Small Guest House
3-Star Guest House
Room Types
Budget Twin RoomThis twin room has a desk, a balcony, city views and a private bathroom. The unit has 2 beds.
Deluxe Single RoomThis single room features a private bathroom, parquet floors and city views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Double RoomThis double room has a balcony.
Twin Room with Private BathroomThe unit offers 2 beds.
Single Room with Private BathroomThe unit offers 1 bed.
Standard Single Room with ShowerThis single room features a private bathroom, and a game console. This single room provides a TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
6.4
Rated
Location
Hostal Forest's location receives rave reviews from its guests, who frequently highlight its central position and proximity to key landmarks. The accommodation is described as being just a few minutes' walk from the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, placing guests in the heart of the historic center. This unbeatable location makes it highly convenient for exploring the city's rich history, dining at nearby restaurants and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Santiago de Compostela.
Guests appreciate the hostel’s immediate access to Plaza del Obradoiro, as well as the easy reach to various bars, cafes and shops. Many reviewers mention how ideal the location is for resting after completing the Camino de Santiago with the cathedral just steps away. Additionally, the peaceful setting within such a central area is frequently noted, providing a quiet retreat without sacrificing the convenience of being close to major attractions.
The hostel's prime location is also praised for its accessibility to public transport options, making it a practical choice for travelers arriving by bus or train. Overall, Hostal Forest is celebrated for its fantastic positioning, offering great value for money and providing an excellent base for visitors seeking to immerse themselves in the historical and cultural charm of Santiago de Compostela.
Rooms
Hostal Forest offers a variety of rooms that receive mixed reviews from guests. Positively, several guests appreciated rooms for being cozy, clean and functional. Some rooms are described as comfortable with charming decor, bright interiors and private balconies that add a nice touch. The central location near the main square and Santiago’s attractions is a major advantage, making it convenient for guests to explore the city. The hostel is also noted as pet-friendly, which is a bonus for those traveling with their furry friends.
However, many reviews highlight significant downsides. A recurring issue is the size of the rooms; many are described as extremely small, cramped and sometimes not as expected based on online photos. Cleanliness is another concern with reports of mold, dampness and generally outdated and worn furnishings. Some rooms face inner courtyards with little to no view, contributing to a dark and cold atmosphere. Noise can be a problem due to thin walls and a lack of proper soundproofing, sometimes exacerbated by street noise and nearby facilities.
Bathroom situations vary but are often criticized. Some rooms have private bathrooms, but these are sometimes located outside the room in the hallway. The size of the showers and general bathroom upkeep are often mentioned negatively with some bathrooms flooding quickly or lacking curtains, making them impractical.
While Hostal Forest presents a budget-friendly option with some charming, clean rooms, potential guests should be prepared for variability in room quality and size and the possibility of outdated and worn facilities.
Beds
Hostal Forest received mixed reviews regarding the comfort of its beds. Some guests found the beds to be cozy and equipped with warm blankets, describing them as super comfortable. A few mentioned comfortable and good mattresses, providing a satisfactory sleeping experience. However, many guests expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the beds. Common complaints included saggy, worn-out mattresses that sink in the middle, noisy and squeaky beds and issues with cleanliness, such as traces of hair and stains on bed linen and towels. Beds were often described as too soft or too hard and in some cases, so uncomfortable that sleeping on the floor was deemed better. Despite a few positive mentions, the overall sentiment indicated that the comfort of the beds could be significantly improved.
Cleanliness
Visitors to Hostal Forest have expressed a wide range of opinions regarding the cleanliness of the hotel. While some guests praised the establishment for being impeccably clean, fragrant and having very clean rooms, others highlighted significant issues pertaining to hygiene. Positive comments included descriptions of clean, quiet and tastefully decorated rooms, as well as clean bed sheets and towels. Several reviews reaffirmed that everything was fairly clean or spotless.
However, a notable number of reviews painted a less positive picture. Concerns included dirty rooms with hair on sheets and pillowcases, old and worn-out fixtures and bathrooms in need of renovation and mold removal. Complaints also cited instances of damp, dirty towels, moldy shower curtains and spider-webs in corners. Additionally, some guests pointed out that certain facilities looked run-down, giving an impression of neglect despite regular cleaning efforts.
Overall, while there are certainly strong aspects regarding the cleanliness of Hostal Forest, it appears that improvements in maintenance and more rigorous cleaning would enhance the experience for all guests.
Staff
Hostal Forest garners considerable praise for its exceptionally friendly and helpful staff. The overwhelming sentiment from guest reviews highlights a welcoming atmosphere cultivated by the team. Visitors frequently mention the kindness and attentiveness of the lady in charge, often named Avelina or Monse, who go out of their way to make guests feel at home. The staff’s politeness and eagerness to assist are consistent themes throughout the reviews, contributing to a comfortable stay.
Notably, the hostel is praised for being pet-friendly and accommodating, enhancing its appeal to a broad range of travelers, including those on pilgrimages. Specific staff members, such as a notably charming elderly lady who is described as approachable and helpful, receive individual commendation for their exceptional service and personal touch. While a few reviews cite less friendly interactions with certain members of the management, the overall consensus underscores an excellent level of service, characterized by sincere hospitality and a thorough attentiveness to guest needs.
From swift check-ins to assisting with luggage and ensuring that every guest feels cared for, the Hostal Forest team seems dedicated to delivering a pleasant and memorable experience. This dedication to service not only highlights the hostel's strong personal treatment but also leaves guests recommending the place highly due to the warm and friendly atmosphere fostered by its staff.
Wi-Fi
Guests at 'Hostal Forest' have shared mixed feedback regarding the Wi-Fi service. Many reviews highlight that the Wi-Fi is very good with some noting it works well and is fast. There were mentions that the connectivity is as expected and despite challenges, it is generally reliable. Nonetheless, a few guests reported significant issues, including Wi-Fi that never worked, weak signals and intermittent connectivity. Additionally, the thick old walls of the hostel seem to hinder mobile data reception, adding another layer of complexity. Despite these connectivity challenges, the hostal's overall environment remains accommodating, especially for those traveling with pets, as it is dog-friendly.
Dog Friendly
Hostal Forest is a pet-friendly haven, warmly welcoming guests traveling with their furry companions. Pets, including larger dogs, are accepted and allowed to stay in the room, providing much-needed rest for travelers after long journeys. Guests appreciated that their pets were treated just as well as they were, reflecting a genuine pet-friendly ethos.
While pets are not permitted on the beds, they are welcomed upon request and accepted at no extra charge. Many guests mentioned the friendly reception of their pets, highlighting the hostel's accommodating nature. This is especially valuable for those completing endeavors like the Camino de Santiago with their pets.
A few challenges were noted, such as occasional disturbances from barking dogs, but overall, the hostel’s acceptance of pets makes it a convenient option for pet owners on the move.
No, Hostal Forest doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hostal Forest.
Yes, Hostal Forest welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Hostal Forest.