Hostel 41 Below

I got sick near the end of my four-day stay, and the staff were so helpful, bringing me extra blankets and tea. The hostel is also right in the center, and its atmosphere is great for solo travelers. The communal dinners every night make it easy to meet other guests and the staff. I had a great stay at 41 below and highly recommend it.

The common area was nice, and the staff were friendly, but I don’t really know why this place is rated so highly. Maybe it’s the vegan aspect. The four-bed dorm was dark, the sheets kept coming off, and the pillow was poor. The women’s bathroom felt like a public toilet, and one toilet wouldn’t flush. The place could use an update. The kitchen is small, and its hours are limited because the staff cook vegan dinner every night. A dorm room costs the same as Penthouse 1004, 490.

The location was the best part, right in the center. We stayed two nights, but the room was worn: the curtains were broken, and the old mattress sagged like a hammock. Breakfast was homemade and vegan, with porridge, marmalade, and bread, but it wasn't to our taste, so we went around the corner for breakfast on the second day. We chose the hostel for its ratings and location, but left disappointed. We also couldn't pay by credit card, despite that being advertised, only cash or PayPal.

The showers were among the best I've had in hostels in Argentina, and breakfast was great too. Leo made me feel comfortable in Bariloche, and he and the other staff had really useful advice about the best hikes and how to get to them.