Socialtel Provenza Medellin

The location is excellent, and breakfast was good and enjoyable. Miguel at reception and the event coordinator, whose name I unfortunately can't remember, were kind, respectful, and professional. They showed the sort of hospitality I expected. But the stay as a whole was a complete disappointment. The rooms are very old and need serious renovation, and the service didn't live up to the SocialTel brand we trusted. We booked three nights as a couple because we'd had a professional, modern, welcoming experience at SocialTel in Koh Samui, Thailand. Check-in here went badly. I entered first with our luggage and went to reception. My wife came in a few steps behind me, casually filming a short video on her phone for her YouTube channel. The receptionist was a more mature woman, not the younger woman with glasses. She was already cold, rude, and uninterested while speaking to me. When she saw my wife with her phone, she shook her head and gave her a dismissive, judgmental look, apparently making an inappropriate assumption. Once it was clear my wife and I were together, she seemed shocked and realized she'd been mistaken. Still, she didn't apologize or change her manner. She stayed rude and unwelcoming, and answered even simple questions in the same unpleasant tone. We later read other guest comments and found several describing similar problems with this staff member. That makes it seem like an ongoing issue for management to address, rather than a one-off. Another odd experience was asking for a hair dryer. Although I'd completed check-in, staff wanted us to leave a passport, driver's license, or other ID in exchange. That felt excessive and unnecessary. We've stayed at many hotels and SocialTel properties, and had never encountered that. It didn't seem professional or in keeping with an international hospitality brand. There were some positives: the breakfast and location, and those two staff members. The check-in behavior, especially from a senior staff member, was concerning and inappropriate for hospitality. The first impression, disrespectful treatment, lack of apology for the mistaken assumption, unnecessary ID request for a basic amenity, reports of similar staff behavior, and outdated rooms left the stay far below expectations.

The room review is based on my stay in the days before the booking problem. Internet in the rooms was patchy, around 10-20 Mbps at times, and not good enough for work or video calls. There was a router extender in the hallway. The Provença side was very noisy, with loud music late into the night. The building felt large and almost empty, with hardly anyone around. Reception charged 8000 for a small water, and there weren't nearby options. Laundry was self-service, but detergent cost extra. For a place meant to be coliving and coworking, nickel-and-diming little things gave it a bad vibe. I think most of the reviews are fake. The ratings don't add up when you look at them. I've stayed in most hostels in medellin, and would choose Los Patios or Viajeros instead. They seemed more serious and social, with better standards and value. Sociatel was a complete mess. Don't be lured by lower prices. The hotel knew it was full but left my booking confirmed in the app and didn't cancel it. When I arrived, they asked me to cancel it myself by contacting the booking service. What? There was no accountability for their mistake in choosing a booking platform and managing rooms. They shouldn't overbook when they're already full. My booking was confirmed and paid, but they had no room, gave no refund, and offered no help or contact to sort it out. They accepted later bookings after mine even though I had booked earlier. At the very least, shouldn't they cancel in order? I was left trying to find a last-minute place in a fully booked Medellín and spent a day of my vacation sorting it out, packing, and riding around in an Uber.

The private room was spacious, clean, and great, and the housekeeping staff were friendly and helpful. Their schedule seemed inconsistent, though: some days the room had been cleaned, and other days they hadn't come by before we got back. We didn't use the coworking space, but it seems to cost extra, which is definitely a no for me. The food wasn't great, but there are plenty of places just outside. Poblado is a popular tourist area, with restaurants and bars lined up along the streets.

The booking process was messy, and the staff weren't helpful. There was hardly anyone around, and loud music played at night. The building is old and needs renovation, while the WiFi in the rooms was unreliable. Basic place, poor value even at the lower prices. This could have been managed much better. Other hostels offer better value, standards, and chances to meet people.