Ciao Cacao Hostel & Cafe, Flores

Ciao Cacao is a small and cosy hostel located in Flores, where everything is charming, cute, and close.

The Location

The hostel is located on the Isla de Flores, or Flores Island, which is so small, you could walk the entire place in twenty minutes. The location of the hostel itself is down a side street off the second ring road that rings the town. It can be quite difficult to find, even with maps. The sign saying "Ciao Cacao" hangs high and is small, so you really need to keep your eyes peeled for it. It sits around halfway up the street on the lefthand side. Everything -- shops, restaurants, and a supermarket -- is nearby. You can find the boats to cross the island just nearby as well. Most buses will drop you at the start of the Island, and from there the hostel is about a five-minute walk.

Rooms and Bathrooms

This hostel is quite unique in the fact that is is a house with a somewhat low-hanging loft that has been converted into the dorm room, and then there are a couple of private rooms below, and only one shower and toilet.

The dorm room sleeps nine and is simple and spacious, although very simple. It consists of mattresses on the floor, a small table, locker next to it, and a small standing fan for everyone, which is necessary in the heat of the loft, especially if it is running at full capacity. There is plenty of floor space to keep bags and belongings without encroaching on other people's space. The main problem is the wooden floor, which could become very loud when people are walking around the room; it's the same with the noise from the kitchen and lounge below. Essentially it is the kind of place that you probably aren't getting to sleep until everyone else in the hostel retires for the night.

The bathroom situation could be an issue, as there is one shower room, and a toilet room. This could cause a problem if everyone is wanting to depart or get ready at the same time. They has enough space, shelves, and hooks to keep your belongings as well as hot water if you can master the shower.

Common Spaces

This hostel does give off homey vibes; it's small and cosy and makes it easy to interact with other travelers, and they even have a small fully stocked kitchen for guests to use. There is a lounge room as well as outdoor seating and some hammocks hanging in the cool courtyard, but just watch out, as it can become mosquito central! The owners are helpful but almost a little too subdued; they have a lot of recommendations and are giving it their all to get this little hostel perfect.

Summary

Ciao Cacao is a chilled-out, small hostel that's set in a traffic-free area of Flores so it's quiet and calm. The dorm is large enough, but does have some slight problems with noise, and also there is a hostel kitten who will not hesitate to join you in the mornings. The owners are onto a good thing, and it is most certainly a unique space here in the city.