Palm Tree Hostel, Medellin

Palm Tree Hostal claims to be the first hostel in Medelln, yet it couldn't be criticised for being dated. Sure, the hostel has a bit of a retro feel, but this creates a character that the newer hostels elsewhere in the city can't match.

The Location

Only a five-minute walk from the Suramericana metro station, Palm Tree Hostal is within touching distance of all the major landmarks of the city. Literally facing the hostel is a huge Exito supermarket, which is ideal to pick up all your supplies. There are also a number of small, locally owned eateries only a block away where you can sample the local cuisine.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The dorm rooms are of a good size and there is adequate room for all backpacks even when the dorm is full. The dorms are made up of four wooden bunk beds that are pretty small for the average western traveler. The mattresses are also pretty hard and probably need replacing.

Bathrooms are regularly cleaned. The retro shower provides lukewarm water (with some heat but it cannot be classified as "hot"). In spite of there only being two showers on the second floor, we never had to endure a wait.

Common Spaces

While the common spaces are not particularly large, they make up for this in character. The small bar looks out onto a small (very small) garden. There hang two hammocks along with a number of wooden chairs and tables that create a laid-back feel. Up the spiral staircase is a roof terrace with chairs and a table and another hammock. Very small lockers are available in front of reception and are operated by a padlock. They will fit your passport, phone, or camera but are not big enough to fit a netbook. In front of the lockers are two communal computers with free internet access. A free breakfast is included in the price, but this is in reality two eggs and two slices of bread that they apportion out and ask you to cook yourself. Free coffee is available all day.

Summary

Palm Tree is a small, intimate hostel that promotes interaction between its guests. The staff are all friendly and really make the place feel like a home away from home. While the majority of Medelln hostels are centred on El Poblado, the Palm Tree allows you to escape the gringo lifestyle and get a more authentic view of the city.

Really good Hostal!

Excellent Hostal!!!! We stayed there a couple of nights. I loved to celebrate my birthday there. got a little present from the Hostal. really nice and friendly people!!! And we came back two times more!! Clean kitchen, internet, little terrace, really good place to stay!!!

I can only recommend this place!

I recently stayed 4 nights in the Palm Tree Hostal and was very impressed! The hostal is very well located, 400 metres away from Metro station Suramericana, and in close neighbourhood to a gigantic Exito supermarket and lots of small restaurants offering local food. The hostal itself offers all the backpacker requires: washing machines, free internet (incl. wifi), beer for a resonable price, and a clean kitchen and 3 bathrooms. Last but not least the staff is tremendously friendly and very willing to help and to give advice on all sorts of questions. If in doubt, ask Luz (the hostel maid) who seems to know everything about the town. When i come back to Medellin, this will be the hostel of my choice!

Excellent hostel

I really liked this hostel. We had a wonderful time at Palm Tree Hostel in medellin. It's spotless clean, very clean, safe place, and the colombian owner couldn't have been more helpful, the place is nice, you feel almost as home, good dorms, very comfortable and clean. Close to cheap restaurants and next door to massive supermarket has everything. Free internet, communal kitchen, free breakfast, hammocks, BBQ, bar area.

A lot nicer than any hostel we've stayed...

The owners and staff of this hostel provide outstanding assistance adjusting to arrival in a new city. Upon arrival you are greeted warmly, then presented with a sheet of paper outlining the many offerings of Medellin. Best hostel in colombia, very clean, a lot nicer than any hostel we've stayed at during our 5 month trek through South America. I really liked this hostel. It is centrally located. Plus, there is a free breakfast, an Amazingly clean hostel. Safe place!!!

Be aware -- your money could disappear

This hostel has a serious security problem. There is no safebox. Recommendation of the staff -- take your belongs with you if you go out (funny). So the administration do not mind about, also (as they told me) it wasn't the first time that things get robbed. Also the wash service is from extremely poor quality -- it will be better to do it yourself or you will pay for nothing. (And some of my clothes disappeared as well).

Unsafe

We stayed in Palm Tree Hostal for four nights. Friday is the free BBQ night, however it seems that when people join the BBQ they get robbed in their rooms (or latest when everybody goes out for a drink). Had a double room and the door was locked. When we came back we had to realize that a certain amount of money was missing. To make it more difficult to realize the longfingers did not take all the money and neither notebooks. We are sure that some people don't even realize that they have been robbed as nobody counts the money exactly. But we did as we had to go to the ATM the day after again. In our opinion the only people who could have done this is somebody of the staff. As only they do have a key for all rooms. Another longfinger would have taken everything in the room as he wouldn't care! In addition another guy in a dormitory got robbed as well. The hostel lacks of security as they don't provide lockers. Moreover the double rooms are the smallest rooms we ever had on our long trip. These rooms do not deserve the title "double" but shoebox.

Excellent! The people who run the hostel are very nice and kindly.

From far one of the best Hostels in Colombia. The people who run the hostel are very nice and kindly. They always give you directions and advices for everything you need. They also organize events and parties. The place is nice, you feel almost as home, and the dorms are very comfortable. the owners are nice and help you in everything you need.