Shanti Hostel

A nice place to stay while visiting San Rafael.

The outdoor space is generous, with a grill, covered patio, and hammocks for kids and adults. There’s shaded parking, and the breakfast is homemade. The kitchen was pretty poor, though. We rented two rooms: the quadruple was clean and spacious, with a piece of furniture for our things. The double had a double bed and a bunk bed, but its window could only be opened from outside. The shower pressure was so weak that water came out at the bottom, so washing your hair meant bending down. We mentioned it to the owner, Elio, who said that was how it worked and offered the shared bathroom if we didn’t like it. The owner and both hostel employees were very friendly throughout our stay. They invited us to eat with them, but we went out to explore the city and surrounding area instead. It was acceptable, and yes, I’d recommend it. The bathroom in the first bedroom could use a little TLC. Price in relation to service...

The owner is friendly, and there’s parking on site, though maneuvering a large vehicle is difficult. It’s okay for a short, no-frills stay. The TV didn’t work, the toilet tank wouldn’t refill, and the bathroom’s hot water was only a trickle. After leaving the tap running for an hour, it would finally get warm enough for a shower, but there still wasn’t pressure. There’s no air conditioning. The mattress was flattened, and the outlets were awkwardly placed down on the floor.

Elio made me feel welcome from the start, and that warmth set the tone for the whole stay. The hostel’s shared recreational spaces made it easy to have nice conversations with the other guests. I had a fantastic time.