HI - Jujuy - Tilcara - Malka Hostel

I was in this hostel for five days in January 2005. The place itself is gorgeous, a group of small wooden cabins scattered up above a hill, facing the village of Tilcara. I stayed in spacious room for three — well heated, with private bathroom and the most comfortable wooden bed with cozy mattress and warm blankets I've ever slept in when staying in a hostel. However expensive for a hostel, the facilities are worth the money, especially considering the lavish breakfast included in the price. Now, the big question is what you're looking for. If you long for fun, party, or at least socializing with fellow travelers, forget this place. There are no common spaces at all, and nothing there encourages one to meet other people. The place is as quiet as a library, and I would say it's more like an ordinary hotel than a hostel; there's no kitchen, no Internet access and not even a fridge!!! The front desk closes at ten o'clock, and the staff vanishes until the following morning. I wonder how it belongs to Hostelling International lacking these basic facilities. The hostel is run by a polite though quite unhelpful management. They're kind and they'll do their best to help you if you need something, but they have little idea when it comes of suggesting what to do in Tilcara. You have to pay in advance through a bank deposit and tell them beforehand how long you're staying, which is rather unusual as well as inconvenient when talking about hostels. I stayed there after a week in Backpacker's hostel in Salta and the difference was shocking. But of course it all depends on what you're looking for.