Edelweiss Hostel

We’d just arrived in Calafate and were lost at 11pm, so we went into this hostel. Even though our Spanish was very limited, the manager kindly called a taxi for us and let us wait in the clean, quiet common room. I wish we’d been able to stay and thank him properly. Thanks again, sir, for helping us.

The host was so, so lovely. She was friendly and helpful, and kept offering us tea or coffee. The building feels new, the whole place is clean, and the atmosphere is warm. It was warm at night, too. The main downside is that guests can’t use the kitchen, but it was still a really good place to stay.

We chose a nearby Airbnb at the same price because the rooms here looked dark and uninviting. Our tour company needed us to choose a nearby hotel or hostel as a pickup point, since they don’t collect people from Airbnbs, so we waited outside this place. An older woman came out and asked if we were staying there. When we said we were only waiting for the bus, she yelled that we couldn’t stay and she’d call the police, and told us to go to the bus station. We said we’d wait quietly on the public road, away from the hostel, and she went back inside. A few minutes later she came out again and threatened to call the police. We were still just standing there, causing no trouble. I told her it was a public road and she could call if she wanted. She stormed inside, then came back out when our bus arrived to bother the driver, saying he couldn’t pick us up outside and filming him on her phone. We’re glad we didn’t book a room here. This could have been handled very differently, and the whole experience was disappointing. From what happened, we wouldn’t expect decent hospitality.

There were several cockroaches in the kitchen and reception, which felt like a serious hygiene problem for the area. The rooms themselves were fine, but bring your own cups, plates, and toiletries if you stay here.