Hostel Reviews or ‘Where To Sleep Around The World’

As we head round the world and find places to lay our heads, we thought we’d tell you what they were like. If they were good, we’ll let you know, and if they should be condemned, we’ll mention that too. So if you need a place to stay, check here and see what we’ve experienced!

If you’ve stayed at a hostel you’ve loved or hated, please email us and we’ll be sure to add your review on to our list! Just let us know the following info. Country: City: Hostel name: Address or URL (the more specific the better): Price Rating: Budget, Midrange, Pricey (with price if you know it) I Stayed : (when you were there) Comments :

Brazil Hostel Reviews

City: Paraty
Hostel Name: Sereia do Mar Hostel
URL: http://www.sereiadomar.com
Location: Av Jabaquara 33
Price Rating: Budget (Dorm BRL25, Private En Suite BRL70)
We stayed: Late May 2012
Comments: This hostel is a little way out of town, around a ten minute walk from the centre. This is not too much of an issue, as the beachfront location is great – there’s plenty of bars, restuarants etc nearby.
The hostel itself has a bar and restaurant that actually feels like a proper bar, not just something that’s been added to a hostel. The bar is fairly reasonably priced – it’s not cheap, but it’s no more expensive than what you will pay in local restaurants. The food is also good – they have an all you can eat pizza option for 20 reais, which is a great deal if you’re hungry!
The dorms themselves are fairly nice, though they are a little cramped (especially if everyone has a large bag). There is lockable underbed storage for all of the beds, but this can only fit small bags. Each dorm also has fans, air con and automatic mosquito aerosols (very useful!)
Bathrooms are inside the dorms and are all very clean and spacious. The showers seem to have an endless supply of hot water. One disadvantage with the bathrooms is that the bath, shower, sinks etc are all in the same room (so, if someone is using the shower, no one else can use the toilet). This isn’t too much of an issue when it’s quiet, but could be a pain in the high season.
There is reliable, fast wifi throughout the building, plus a couple of computers in the bar for everyone to use. There is a TV and DVD player in the upper part of the bar, as well as a wide selection of board games and books.
There is a kitchen, but it’s fairly small and not very well equipped. It’s perfect for cooking a few simple things, but that’s about it.
The hostel has a free pickup service from the bus station if you give them a call when you arrive. They also rent out kayaks for the beach – the first half hour is free to all guests.

City: Rio De Janeiro
Hostel Name: Rio Nature Hostel
URL: http://www.rionature.com
Location: Travessa Dona Marciana 31 – Casa Principal, Botafogo
Price Rating: Budget (Dorm BRL20-29)
We stayed: Mid May 2012
Comments: This is a fairly good hostel, but for an outstanding price. You are not going to find anything close to this value in Rio!
The hostel itself is at the top of a hill and 140 stairs. It’s quite tiring to get up there, but it does give the whole place quite a secluded feel.
The dorms themselves are a little dated, but perfectly functional. The one we stayed in didn’t have any glass in the windows (only a curtain), but this is not too much of a problem. There are security lockers in the rooms that will fit an average sized rucksack, but there don’t seem to be enough for all the beds.
Bathrooms are okay. Water in the shower is fairly lukewarm, but this is generally quite pleasant due to the heat outside. They are cleaned once a day, which is probably not enough!
There is a kitchen upstairs, which has a hob, oven and two fridges. There is more than enough room for two or three people to cook at the same time. Breakfast is included in the price (fruit, cheese, ham, coffee), and is above average (especially considering the price!)
The common areas are outside balconies which surround the entire place. There are sofas, tables & chairs, and it’s a nice place to sit in the sunshine. There are also lots of little pygmy monkeys that tend to visit in the mornings (usually to grab a bit of breakfast themselves!)
Wifi is available throughout the building free of charge. There are also two computers for general use. Plug sockets in the dorms themselves are limited, so it is usually easier to charge gadgets in the common areas.
There is no laundry service, but there is a sink and washboard dedicated to laundry, and plenty of drying space on the lines.
The hostel does seem to attract a lot of long term guests (1 month plus), but they are all very welcoming, and this adds to an already great atmosphere.