Palenque Hostel's owners are a young couple called Gaby and Gatto, who are awesome! Also around the hostel you will always find baby Juan and their dog Jujuy, giving the place a really cool, at-home vibe.
The hostel is based on one of the major roads (Av.San Martin) which makes a nice short and direct walk into all the shops and to the bars. Buses run up and down the big road in front of the hostel. The sign outside the hostel is quite small, which can make it tricky to spot first time round.
Rooms and Bathrooms
There are a couple of smaller private rooms and then a range of six- to ten-bed dorms. The rooms are not lockable but inside each room are large lockable trunks big enough to get rucksacks in. The bunks are well spaced out and comfy. There are only two bathrooms in the hostel, which means there can be quite a queue at busy times. One bathroom has a shower/bath and the other is a wet room. Both have plenty of room to change and hooks for hanging things.
Common Spaces
In reception is a PC with free internet access as well as a well-stocked drinks fridge. At reception they can book trips and sky dives. Just off reception is a lovely lounge area with huge comfy sofas, a big TV, and loads of free DVDs to choose from. There is also a free book swap. The kitchen is large with lots of work surfaces and a huge oven and hob -- next to it is a dining area with lots of tables and seats. Off here are steps leading out to the terrace area, which again has more seating and being a couple of floors up is away from the noise of street level and gets loads of sun.
This is a really sociable friendly hostel where the staff are just as keen to go out and have fun as the travelers are! As well as going out some of the nights in here are great too as Gatto is an incredible cook who puts on asado (BBQ) nights with massive portions and a huge range of incredible food -- definitely try it! In addition he can sort out tickets and transport for football matches and it's great to head over as a gang and watch Gatto get very excited when his team is winning!
Summary
The main factor making this hostel such a great place to stay is the people that run it and how welcome they make you feel. It's great value for money, great people, and great times!
— Exklusive Hostelz.com Übersicht
July 2008