The Hostelz.com Review - Genuine, independent review you can trust.
Hostal Plantas y Blanco is advertised as a party hostel and it certainly is one of the livelier hostels in Baños. On weekends, the rooftop provides a great spot to grab a few drinks with other travelers before heading out to the bars. On weekdays or during low season there are fewer people, so those searching for a party hostel may be disappointed, although even at less popular times the hostel attracts a fairly sociable crowd.
The Location
Baños is a small town, so most hostels are within walking distance of everything. Plantas y Blanco has the disadvantage of being one of the further hostels from the bus station, although it’s still only a ten-minute walk. The area has many tour agencies, cafes, and restaurants, and feels lively and safe. One block away is the main square with a church, small park, and street food stalls. Bars and nightlife are just a few minutes' walk away, and there are some thermal baths at the end of the street. The bus stop for Casa del Árbol -- with its famous swing -- is around seven minutes' walk from the hostel.
Rooms and Bathrooms
This is a large hostel with numerous dorm and private rooms available. The dorms at Plantas y Blanco are clean and pleasantly decorated. Some dorms have bunk beds, although you may be lucky like we were and get one without bunks. Small lockers are available (bring your own padlock). Good Wi-Fi is available in most (perhaps all) rooms. There are many showers and toilets spread throughout the building. They are basic but clean. Showers produce hot water, albeit somewhat unreliably!
Common Spaces
Plantas y Blanco stands out for its awesome social spaces. The rooftop has indoor and outdoor seating spaces and views over the town, surrounding hills, and a waterfall. There is a rooftop bar, although it is often closed during low season or on weekdays. Outside alcohol is supposedly not permitted in the hostel, although when the bar is closed, most people bring their own alcohol up to the roof. Breakfast is served on the roof each morning (at an extra cost). After breakfast time, the rooftop kitchen becomes available for guest use, although the guest fridge is inconveniently located on the ground floor. Good Wi-Fi is available.
Other common areas include a games area with pool and table football and a film room with Netflix and PlayStation. There is an associated restaurant adjoined to the hostel, which serves drinks and food in the evenings.
Summary
Plantas y Blanco is one of the most sociable hostels in Baños and has great common areas, including a rooftop with fantastic views. Whilst the bar might not always be open, the hostel tends to attract people who want to socialize, and there is generally a fun atmosphere on weekends and in high season. Rooms and bathrooms are basic but clean.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
+6
DondeScarlet
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Aug 30, 2018
Location and Contact
Location
• Plantas y Blanco is located in Baños, a small town in between Ambato and Puyo City, 3,5 hours from Quito. • The hotel is close to the thermal baths, two blocks from the main church in town. • From the terminal bus, just take a taxi which cost 1 to 1,5 USD (the ride).