The Hostelz.com Review
El Hostal is a simple, clean, and fairly small hostel conveniently located a five-minute walk from the Parque Central in Antigua. If it´s a party vibe that you are looking for, then it´s probably not the place for you (except for the loud bar across the road). However if you´re after a tranquil place to recharge while taking in the sites of one of Guatemala´s favourite cities, then it has all you need.
The Location
El Hostal is near the south side of 1ra. Avenida Sur about a five-minute walk from the Parque Central. There are a number of restaurants, cafes, and small shops in the area and one particularly loud bar across the street, with live music. Everything within Antigua is within walking distance and the town is pretty safe so walking back from the central plaza, where most of the restaurants and bars are, shouldn´t be a problem even at night. Most shuttles should drop you at the door, but if they take you to Parque Central it´s only a short walk to the hostel. The bus station, on the other hand, is pretty much on the other side of the town and it would be a long walk if you have lots of luggage.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms at El Hostel are very clean and basic and some of them are a bit cramped (although this seemed to vary depending on where beds are needed). If possible it is definitely better to get one of the dorms away from the road because the traffic and the aforementioned bar can be really loud until quite late. The bathrooms are also clean (the entire place is thoroughly cleaned daily) with all that you need, including nice hot showers.
Common Spaces
The entire hostel is set up around two courtyards. The first has a fountain, the breakfast tables, couches, and a hammock and is most likely where you would spend most of your chill time. The second courtyard is where the kitchen, laundry, luggage storage, and other hostel administrative areas are. The courtyard is a great place to have breakfast (included) which is a choice from about eight things. Most of it is pretty good, but the "panqueques" (pancakes) stand out as being especially delicious. Cheap drinks are available at the reception and lounging in the hammock is a perfect way to rest weary feet after a volcano climb.
The staff members are friendly and helpful, although their fairly limited English may hinder too much conversation unless you know a bit of Spanish. There is no internet available at the hostel and very little tourist information, which means you will have to rely on one of the plentiful internet cafes or travel agents around the town.
Summary
El Hostal may lack the atmosphere of some of the other hostels in town, but it is a great place to chill out and relax while taking in the sights of Anitgua -- and the breakfasts are delicious!
The Location
El Hostal is near the south side of 1ra. Avenida Sur about a five-minute walk from the Parque Central. There are a number of restaurants, cafes, and small shops in the area and one particularly loud bar across the street, with live music. Everything within Antigua is within walking distance and the town is pretty safe so walking back from the central plaza, where most of the restaurants and bars are, shouldn´t be a problem even at night. Most shuttles should drop you at the door, but if they take you to Parque Central it´s only a short walk to the hostel. The bus station, on the other hand, is pretty much on the other side of the town and it would be a long walk if you have lots of luggage.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms at El Hostel are very clean and basic and some of them are a bit cramped (although this seemed to vary depending on where beds are needed). If possible it is definitely better to get one of the dorms away from the road because the traffic and the aforementioned bar can be really loud until quite late. The bathrooms are also clean (the entire place is thoroughly cleaned daily) with all that you need, including nice hot showers.
Common Spaces
The entire hostel is set up around two courtyards. The first has a fountain, the breakfast tables, couches, and a hammock and is most likely where you would spend most of your chill time. The second courtyard is where the kitchen, laundry, luggage storage, and other hostel administrative areas are. The courtyard is a great place to have breakfast (included) which is a choice from about eight things. Most of it is pretty good, but the "panqueques" (pancakes) stand out as being especially delicious. Cheap drinks are available at the reception and lounging in the hammock is a perfect way to rest weary feet after a volcano climb.
The staff members are friendly and helpful, although their fairly limited English may hinder too much conversation unless you know a bit of Spanish. There is no internet available at the hostel and very little tourist information, which means you will have to rely on one of the plentiful internet cafes or travel agents around the town.
Summary
El Hostal may lack the atmosphere of some of the other hostels in town, but it is a great place to chill out and relax while taking in the sights of Anitgua -- and the breakfasts are delicious!
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
May 2010
Their Description
El Hostal Details
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Nice, but Noisy The hostal is very clean with fresh sheets and spotless bathrooms. There are backpack sized lockers in the dorm rooms. The location is within walking distance of the main plaza. There is a bar across the street, which was noisy. We stayed on a Friday night, so maybe on a weekday it would not be as loud. — Anom , USA (2008-07-10)