La Casona Hostel

I booked three nights and wound up staying a whole week. The staff were welcoming and gave helpful advice on trails and walks based on your level and what you wanted to do. The lake view is beautiful, and there's a bus stop right outside for getting to the trails. The supermarket is a 15-minute walk away. Breakfast was good, with a freshly baked cake every day, and the rooms and bathrooms were clean. The common area was comfortable and cozy.

Natu and Charlie were terrific hosts, genuinely kind and friendly, with great advice for getting to nearby hikes. The bus runs right outside, heading farther west toward some great day hikes. Get a SUBE card in advance if you can, since it makes the bus easier. The bedrooms were clean and reasonably quiet, and the shower had good water pressure. The hostel is on the west side of Bariloche and has a shared kitchen and a big open dining table, so it's a good fit if you want company, but not if you're looking for privacy. I especially enjoyed swapping stories with Argentinian guests, sharing mate, and being welcomed with the traditional cheek kiss. There's also a friendly, cuddly dog called Malvina who patrols the hostel. I loved having her around, though it might not suit you if you don't like dogs. A fantastic social base for scenic hikes by day and good company in the evenings.

A friend and I stayed at La Casona, but we never felt welcome as guests. Throughout the week, staff friends who weren't staying there came in daily, sat in guest areas, used the kitchen, played music, and made noise. Animals also roamed freely, bothering people while they cooked and even ate, although the hostel hadn't said it was pet-friendly. On top of that, workshops let local residents into the hostel and into the guests' personal space. If you want an easy start to a trip in beautiful Patagonia, stay as far away from La Casona as possible. It only made us want to fly home.

The staff were amazing and so welcoming, and the hostel's vibe is one of the best I've come across. I often ended up staying in the common room until the early hours. Beds are comfortable, the place is clean, and the bathroom's in good shape. There's a big supermarket about a 10-15 minute walk away. The back garden has beautiful views too. Highly recommend this lovely little hostel.