Casa Balmaceda Backpaquers

We made good use of the well-equipped kitchen to try cooking with local ingredients, which was a big plus. The hostel also does laundry and lets you separate clothes that should be dried from those that shouldn't. Our room was comfortable and had its own bathroom. The location was handy, close to the city center and some nice bakeries. We really enjoyed staying here and can highly recommend it :)

It's a backpackers' hostel kind of place, but you do get a private room with an attached bathroom, and the beds are comfortable with good water pressure. The location is the biggest plus, just a 10-15 minute walk to the main square. There's also a fully stocked kitchen, handy if you'd rather cook than pay the absurd prices at nearby restaurants. For the price, it's a good place if you keep expectations low. The narrow stairs to the first floor, poor soundproofing, and creepy floors are the main drawbacks. Keep expectations low and you should enjoy your stay.

We stayed overnight before catching a flight from Balmaceda airport. The neighbourhood felt quiet and safe, with the plaza de armas and restaurants only a few minutes' walk away. The house was warm and welcoming, full of interesting little corners. Our room was comfortable and had the basics, and there was a shared kitchen and fridge plus a common area with tables, chairs, and mostly spanish books. There were friendly neighbourhood dogs outside and a few cats. One quirky thing: an old clock seemed to chime every 15-20 minutes :D Other residents could make the house a bit noisy, but it didn't bother us.

A clean room, a well-equipped kitchen, and a very nice host. Great value for the money, I'd definitely recommend it.