The Hostelz.com Review
The Location
Hostel Platypus is located in Central Bogota in the La Candelaria area and is close to the city centre´s main attractions including museums and famous squares. The location is safe at night and close to many bars. The hostel is run by an extremely helpful Colombian named Germann, who takes time to get to know his guests and offer them helpful advice on travel in Colombia. The hostel is secure and all guests have keys to enter. Otherwise the doors are kept locked. The hostel has a good reception area with internet access and a book exchange and the staff are very knowledgable. The hostel is located a fifteen-minute taxi drive away from the main bus terminal or thirty minutes by the Trans-mileno bus.
Rooms and Bathrooms
All three houses -- where the rooms are -- have kitchens, common rooms, and TV rooms for guests. The rooms are spacious and the hostel provides clean bed linen and towels. Blankets are also provided as the temperature is cool at night -- there is no heating system in the rooms. Rooms have private bathrooms but some of the showers have cold water only. There are security lockers in the reception area of the main building but you must provide your own lock. Quiet time is at 11 p.m. and the hostel has a beer fridge for guests to purchase beers. The hostel is run on a tab system, which is settled when you leave.
Common Spaces
There is a main common room in the main house which can be used by guests from all three houses and free coffee is always available in the main house. There is a good book exchange and much more travel information available in the reception.
Summary
This is an excellent hostel with clean rooms and a good location with excellent hostel facilities. Another high point is the hostel manager, Germann, who takes pleasure in helping his guests.
Hostel Platypus is located in Central Bogota in the La Candelaria area and is close to the city centre´s main attractions including museums and famous squares. The location is safe at night and close to many bars. The hostel is run by an extremely helpful Colombian named Germann, who takes time to get to know his guests and offer them helpful advice on travel in Colombia. The hostel is secure and all guests have keys to enter. Otherwise the doors are kept locked. The hostel has a good reception area with internet access and a book exchange and the staff are very knowledgable. The hostel is located a fifteen-minute taxi drive away from the main bus terminal or thirty minutes by the Trans-mileno bus.
Rooms and Bathrooms
All three houses -- where the rooms are -- have kitchens, common rooms, and TV rooms for guests. The rooms are spacious and the hostel provides clean bed linen and towels. Blankets are also provided as the temperature is cool at night -- there is no heating system in the rooms. Rooms have private bathrooms but some of the showers have cold water only. There are security lockers in the reception area of the main building but you must provide your own lock. Quiet time is at 11 p.m. and the hostel has a beer fridge for guests to purchase beers. The hostel is run on a tab system, which is settled when you leave.
Common Spaces
There is a main common room in the main house which can be used by guests from all three houses and free coffee is always available in the main house. There is a good book exchange and much more travel information available in the reception.
Summary
This is an excellent hostel with clean rooms and a good location with excellent hostel facilities. Another high point is the hostel manager, Germann, who takes pleasure in helping his guests.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
April 2008
Their Description
Platypus is the most popular backpackers hostel in Colombia. It´s located 300 mts away from the famous Gold Museum in Bogota and within walking distance from the main tourists atractions. We have a permanent feed back from tourists travelling all over Colombia, so our information desk is updated everyday and willing to help not only for our guests but anybody who could need it.
We do take reservations without any deposits but kindly ask travellers interested in staying with us to change/cancel reservations in case of any changes in their plans.
We do take reservations without any deposits but kindly ask travellers interested in staying with us to change/cancel reservations in case of any changes in their plans.
Platypus Details
Category: Guesthouse
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
This is how all hostals should be! A great place to stay, to meet people and most of all to get the best information on where to go in Colombia and even other parts of South America. I passed through Bogota several times on my trip and I always stayed here. The hostal has a very relaxed atmosphere, the staff are extremely helpful and friendly and gave me invaluable information for traveling when I wanted to go to some 'off the beaten track' areas. The owner speaks many languages and they even have a long stays and a lovely hotel. I am very grateful to all at Platypus for all the advice and help I received in Colombia! Muchisimo Gracias! — Sean Lovell , British (2011-10-26) We had a wonderful stay in this hostel. We visited it two time in one month. The owner of this hostel is such a nice guy. He helped us out. When we visit Colombia (bogota) again we will visit this hostel again. It became our second house in Colombia. — Andres/susanne/Rafael/Miguel/Nelson (2007-03-08) I stayed at Platypus 1 and then lived at Platypus 2 for three months when I was in Bogota over Christmas 2003/04. I loved living there. The staff and many friends I made became like a second family. I traveled all over South America and have to say that my experience at Platypus, as an openly gay "gringo," was by far the best! Herman and Camilo, you rock! — Greg (2005-02-08) Excellent hostel. The owner, Herman, is very friendly and very knowledgeable about Bogota and Colombia — and your first beer is free! — Craig (2004-12-29) Although the beds are, shall we say, saggy, this is the best hostel in Colombia, if not South America. Herman, the owner, is the friendliest guy you could ever meet and the best source of information for travelling around Colombia! Also, this hostel has a great location in the heart of La Candelaria. Check out Quibre Canto on Wednesday night for the best night in Bogota!!! — Simon (2004-12-27) Top hostel. Herman is a great host who has all your answers about Bogota and Colombia. — Mark (2004-07-23) I travelled for 2 years altogether, and Platypus was one of the top hostels I stayed at!! Herman, the owner, was a great presence, and the environment is very nice! — Cris (2004-07-07) I spent New Year's Eve here, and it was just great. The environement is great, and very relaxed. I traveled with my boyfriend, and I may say that the people at Platypus are very gay-friendly and very open-minded. — Néstor (2004-06-17) Absolutely fantastic hostel, and friendly owner. — Anonymous (2004-04-28)