The Hostelz.com Review - Genuine, independent review you can trust.
Selina Montañita is a huge hostel located in downtown Montañita. It lives up to the expectations of the Selina brand -- a prime location (next to the beach, bars, restaurants, and Montañita’s biggest club); fantastic range of common areas (including a beachfront bar and swimming pool); and clean, bright bedrooms (dorm beds have individual lights and plug sockets).
It has rooms to suit all budgets, and hence it attracts a range of clientele from solo backpackers, groups of friends, and even families. Although it's calmer during the week, there is certainly a lively atmosphere on weekends, when the party starts in the Selina bar before heading to nearby clubs.
The Location
Located in the busiest part of downtown, Selina Montañita is in the centre of the action. The area is buzzing with people, and on weekends it's the location of the parties. In fact, the party often starts in the Selina bar before moving to one of the nearby clubs later in the night. The hostel bar and restaurant opens right onto the beach. The hostel is within five minutes' walk of the main road where buses stop -- this location cannot be beaten if you want to be in the centre of the action!
Rooms and Bathrooms
Selina Montañita is a very large hostel, so large that some of the rooms are actually located in a separate property, which is about thirty seconds' walk from the main Selina location. All rooms are bright, clean, and well-designed. Dorms contain bunk beds with clean white sheets, their own lamp and plug sockets, and panels to give privacy. Secure lockers are available within the rooms but they require your own padlock. Bathrooms are clean and modern with hot showers.
The cheapest are the eight-bed dorms. These are all located away from the main property. This building is several stories high and has no lift, so you may get a workout if you’re staying on one of the top floors! Plenty of communal toilets and showers are located on each floor.
Six-bed dorms are located in the main property. Each has their own bathroom and opens onto a balcony/walkway with views to the pool. Four-bed dorms and private rooms are also available. Not all are located in the main Selina property, so check before booking if this is important to you.
Wi-Fi is widely available in all bedrooms, although some guests experienced a poor/nonexistent connection in their rooms. Staff informed us that this only affects a minority of phones and they are working to improve it.
Common Spaces
As those familiar with the Selina brand would expect, Selina Montañita has a fantastic range of communal areas including a bar/restaurant, communal kitchen, outdoor pool, TV/chill-out room, film room, and library. All communal areas are modern and brightly decorated. The bar/restaurant opens directly onto the beach, where you can purchase breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a range of drinks. A communal workspace can also be used for an extra cost. Wi-Fi is available throughout common areas.
Luggage can be stored in a room next to reception, but people are often coming in and out and it is rarely locked.
Summary
Selina Montañita has clean, well-designed rooms; modern facilities; and an excellent range of common areas including a beachfront bar and pool. The downtown location is right on the beach and is the heart of the party on weekends. Those traveling alone or in small groups should note that the variety of common areas and sheer size of the hostel can make it harder to meet new people. Stay here if you like big hostels and want to be in the liveliest part of town, but avoid if you're looking for something more relaxed or intimate.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
+4
DondeScarlet
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Sep 1, 2018
Location and Contact
Location
• From The Airport • You can drive from Quito (10 hour drive) or you can come from the Quito airport which is only a 40 min trip away. Taxi will charge you from $80 to $120 from Guayaquil airport or $250-$300 from Quito. • From Another Selina • Book a shuttle with us in the Explore Tab. • Public Transportation • Take the bus to Guayaquil and then transfer to the Montañita bus.