The Hostelz.com Review - Genuine, independent review you can trust.
Hostal Villa Esthela is a nice little hostal hovering on the other edge of Antigua. Comfort seems to be king here, as a relaxed, chill vibe lures you in to spend maybe just one or perhaps two more days in Antigua.
The Location
This place has a solid location, a bit south of the historic centre of the city where pretty much all of Antigua's attractions are located, but this gives you better access to less-tourist-focused restaurants, bars, and shops as well as getting away from the ever-present salespeople hawking their goods. Most people seem to arrive in Antigua by either shuttle or tourist bus, and these either take you directly to your accommodation or drop you off in the centre. Those coming by chicken bus will have a brisk, fifteen-minute walk to the hostel. The chicken bus station is also where Antigua's farmers market and the closest supermarket are located.
The hostel could be better marked, as the only indicator of its presence is a small sign on the inward-swung doors of the alleyway down which the hostel is located, so make sure you have a good bearing on where you are going, as it is very easy to miss. Some parking on the street.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Dorm rooms are four- and six-person rooms with bunk beds, and privates are single-, double-, and triple-bed rooms, all with shared bathrooms. Dorms are on the small size, but each bed has two electrical plug sockets and there are lockers and coat hooks behind the door. All rooms, private or dorm, are lockable.
There are two bathrooms/showers and one more free standing of each. The bathroom/showers are spacious with plenty of shelving and hooks to hang clothing. The separate shower and bathroom are located under the stairs and are a bit cramped, but clearly a level of thought and effort has gone into the situation to make it work, as the shower has an elevated shelf where clothes can be stored out of reach of the water (we stand more than six feet tall and are able to make this work comfortably, so most people should be fine). Bathrooms are clean.
Common Spaces
This place has nice and varied common areas; the kitchen is a bit small and understocked in terms of equipment, but there is enough to make it work and it is kept clean. Attached to the kitchen there is a sort of dining room/extension of the kitchen, and attached to that there is a TV room with movies. Upstairs there is a few nice areas with tables and chairs and couches as well as a book exchange and info centre. The balcony is very pleasant in the right weather with hammocks, picnic tables, bar, and a killer view.
A fun and friendly vibe permeates this hostel; there's no crazy party antics, but neither is it completely sedate. There's room to hang out and meet other backpackers or find your own little piece of peace.
Summary
This is a solid option, especially for those seeking to be close to the touristy stuff but not stuck in it.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
Candy
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Jan 1, 2019
Location and Contact
Location
• On foot: • Walk in southern direction (towards the volcano Agua) down the 2nd Avenue south (2a Avenida Sur). After you get to 9a Calle it is about half a block further on the right side. Number 48 is located between #40 and #44, right across from pharmacia El Precio Bajo. #48- A-3 is not on the side of the street but at the end of a little driveway about 10 meters from the streetside. • By Car: • Drive in southern direction (towards the volcano Agua) down the 2nd Avenue south (2a Avenida Sur). After you get to 9a Calle it is about half a block on the right side however by car you will have to drive around the block because otherwise you will go against traffic. To drive around: at 9a Calle take a left. At hotel Los Pasos take a right and then the next two rights. We are right accross from pharmacia El Precio Bajo, not on the side of the street but at the bottom of a driveway about 10 meters from the streetside.