The Hostelz.com Review
La Brisa Loca is a stunning building; a restored mansion, it is impressively built up over three floors around the classic central courtyard and pool. With these foundations, it would be impossible for a hostel to lack ambiance, but there is still the feeling that there could be more.
The Location
La Brisa Loca is a taxi ride's journey from Santa Marta bus station but only a short walk to the beach. It's very central in the town -- one block away from the markets and only a few more from a large Exito supermarket. The beach in Santa Marta is not fantastic and can get very busy with locals at weekends and public holidays, so you'll have to travel outside of the town to visit a quintessential Caribbean beach.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Each bed has a small metal plaque on its frame on which you can place the "bed occupied" magnet you get -- along with your sheets and towel -- during check-in. This is a simple but brilliant system to eliminate the far-too-common confusion of which beds are taken and which need to be cleaned. The beds themselves are decent wooden bunks with ladders. The rooms have large fans, which are very much needed in this part of the world. The bedrooms aren't lockable, but do contain large wooden lockers under each bed for storing any valuables.
The showers and toilets are well maintained, nicely tiled, and painted in blue and white; the hostel provides liquid soap at the sinks. The showers are not warm, but a cool shower is exactly what you want in Santa Marta.
Common Spaces
The pool in the ground floor courtyard looks great and is nice for a dip, but is far too small and shallow to swim in. The space that's left in the tiled courtyard contains a couple of chairs and tables and a BBQ that is rarely used. There is a small television room with cable TV and a selection of DVDs on the ground floor as well. Next to this is the kitchen, which serves its purpose, but is too small for a hostel this size and the hostel owner's "clean up your own mess" policy clearly isn't working fantastically. Sure, the dishes get washed, but nobody lays claim to the accumulated dirt. There is free Wi-Fi and two computers in reception, although with a fifteen-minute limit per session.
On the first floor you'll find the bar -- a good place to drink that gets reasonably busy at night and has a cool little pool room attached to it. Outside are some sofas, which provide probably the most comfortable common area -- if there weren't so much human traffic passing all day. A lot of people chill out on the roof, which has a good view and a couple of chairs -- just make sure you have mosquito repellent if you go up to watch the sunset. The hostel offers several services, but avoid the door-to-door service to Cartegena. For much more than the regular bus and taxis to the station you get a cramped, vertical seated, minivan, which is often a few hours late -- with the time you've had to wait in reception, it takes longer than the regular bus anyway.
Summary
La Brisa Loca is a really nice hostel, but it has the potential to be so much more. The quirky signs about the place and the free welcome beer give the impression of fun and friendliness, but most of the staff are quite ambivalent to anyone's needs or wants -- not unfriendly, just lacking in effort. The lack of a comfortable common area plays a factor too. On the plus side they have a tortoise.
The Location
La Brisa Loca is a taxi ride's journey from Santa Marta bus station but only a short walk to the beach. It's very central in the town -- one block away from the markets and only a few more from a large Exito supermarket. The beach in Santa Marta is not fantastic and can get very busy with locals at weekends and public holidays, so you'll have to travel outside of the town to visit a quintessential Caribbean beach.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Each bed has a small metal plaque on its frame on which you can place the "bed occupied" magnet you get -- along with your sheets and towel -- during check-in. This is a simple but brilliant system to eliminate the far-too-common confusion of which beds are taken and which need to be cleaned. The beds themselves are decent wooden bunks with ladders. The rooms have large fans, which are very much needed in this part of the world. The bedrooms aren't lockable, but do contain large wooden lockers under each bed for storing any valuables.
The showers and toilets are well maintained, nicely tiled, and painted in blue and white; the hostel provides liquid soap at the sinks. The showers are not warm, but a cool shower is exactly what you want in Santa Marta.
Common Spaces
The pool in the ground floor courtyard looks great and is nice for a dip, but is far too small and shallow to swim in. The space that's left in the tiled courtyard contains a couple of chairs and tables and a BBQ that is rarely used. There is a small television room with cable TV and a selection of DVDs on the ground floor as well. Next to this is the kitchen, which serves its purpose, but is too small for a hostel this size and the hostel owner's "clean up your own mess" policy clearly isn't working fantastically. Sure, the dishes get washed, but nobody lays claim to the accumulated dirt. There is free Wi-Fi and two computers in reception, although with a fifteen-minute limit per session.
On the first floor you'll find the bar -- a good place to drink that gets reasonably busy at night and has a cool little pool room attached to it. Outside are some sofas, which provide probably the most comfortable common area -- if there weren't so much human traffic passing all day. A lot of people chill out on the roof, which has a good view and a couple of chairs -- just make sure you have mosquito repellent if you go up to watch the sunset. The hostel offers several services, but avoid the door-to-door service to Cartegena. For much more than the regular bus and taxis to the station you get a cramped, vertical seated, minivan, which is often a few hours late -- with the time you've had to wait in reception, it takes longer than the regular bus anyway.
Summary
La Brisa Loca is a really nice hostel, but it has the potential to be so much more. The quirky signs about the place and the free welcome beer give the impression of fun and friendliness, but most of the staff are quite ambivalent to anyone's needs or wants -- not unfriendly, just lacking in effort. The lack of a comfortable common area plays a factor too. On the plus side they have a tortoise.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
December 2011
Their Description
Located in an 80-year-old, new-republican mansion that has been restored to recover its genuine colonial, Caribbean feel, this is one hostel where you won’t feel like you’re still backpacking. While bringing comfort and convenience to your stay, we are also imparting history and style. The large, high-ceiling manor, with its thirteen dorms and suites houses up to 85 people and provides beverages for many more. Why not sink into a frosty Pilsen (the Colombians’ national pastime) in our full-size bar while enjoying a philly cheese steak, take a refreshing dip in our super chilling pool, if you’re missing your dose of “The Antiques Road Show” or your favorite football team, kick off your flip flops and relax on a comfy sofa in the TV room, play with our balls… in the billiards room, soak up some rays up on the rooftop terrace, or catch up with your friends on Facebook using our WiFi or free computers. Here at La Brisa Loca you’ll be spoiled with so many great choices.
Taking in the traditional style and color schemes of authentic Colombian Caribbean architecture, you will enjoy and appreciate the highlights of the region, not only out and about in the oldest colonial city in the Americas, but also comfortably in your hospedaje. From cooling off in the pool in the open-air colonial courtyard, (please no fruit revealing banana hammocks) or watching the bustling city streets from one of our balconies, to scouring the seven seas for salty sea dogs and pirates atop ye olde crows nest (well from our rooftop terrace anyway… g’arrr!)
At La Brisa Loca you can explore and discover Colombia in comfort and style…but then you must face the greatest task of all…
Taking in the traditional style and color schemes of authentic Colombian Caribbean architecture, you will enjoy and appreciate the highlights of the region, not only out and about in the oldest colonial city in the Americas, but also comfortably in your hospedaje. From cooling off in the pool in the open-air colonial courtyard, (please no fruit revealing banana hammocks) or watching the bustling city streets from one of our balconies, to scouring the seven seas for salty sea dogs and pirates atop ye olde crows nest (well from our rooftop terrace anyway… g’arrr!)
At La Brisa Loca you can explore and discover Colombia in comfort and style…but then you must face the greatest task of all…
La Brisa Loca Details
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La Brisa Loca Reviews on Other Websites
The guys were really friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was good. On site bar had good food and had a good vibe. Good location.
— Customer review (2011-12-31)
Hostelbookers
Great hostel and the owner makes sure you are more than satisfied
— Customer review (2011-12-04)
Hostelbookers
Although at first it seems like a bigger hostel, the constant involvement of the owners and the excellent customer service give it the feel of a more intimate experience. Especially John, Jonathan and Isabella from reception. The Restaurant/Bar had excellent food and service, also the mexican restaurant next door had the best mexican food I had had in Colombia... all at reasonable prices. Sure, you can get your party on at this hostel, but it is large enough that you can also chill out if you aren't feeling the fiesta that particular night. Its great for both.. awesome for making new friends. Also, Santa Marta as a city itself is a cool destination. I didn't see many other gringos out on the streets, which enabled me to strike up conversations with the locals, most of whom were extremely friendly. gotta check this place out.
— Customer review (2011-10-27)
Hostelbookers
The staff, especially in the bar, were amazingly helpful. Great tips for different places to go and different places in Colombia to see.
— Customer review (2011-10-10)
Hostelbookers
Beautiful colonial mansion! High ceilings, pool where u can watch DVDs, free beer, free coffee, Tortoise, roof garden, plants, meeting place for charitable folk of mariposas amarillas, book exchange, informative staff
— Customer review (2011-09-13)
Hostelbookers
The pool area is amazing and there is a nice bar upstairs!
— Customer review (2011-08-13)
Hostelbookers
Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Had a good time I had a great. Friendly staff, great lounge areas, cheap bear and food. Close to the beach and buses to either Taganga or Rodadero. The terrace is nice place to watch the sunset. We kept coming back after our trips to the Lost City and Tayrona National Park. — Anonymous , USA (2011-02-25)