Tropical Hostel Santa Marta

The facilities are good, and the rooms are very clean. The photos show a terrace, but it isn’t in use and they don’t even let you in because it’s locked. The pool is unusable too.

The facilities look nice and the place is clean, but the service and amenities need a lot of work. If you’re after somewhere to relax, this isn’t it. We stayed in the Yellow Room right beside reception, and had a terrible night. It has no soundproofing, so we could clearly hear conversations at the desk, cars, people walking by, and other street noise. It wasn’t set up well for two people either. We got a thin single sheet for a double bed, just two flimsy pillows, and no towels. We had to ask for things whenever we needed them. The curtains don’t give you full privacy because people outside can see in. Once the AC is on, they move and make it easier for anyone walking past to look inside. Everyone passes that room on the way by reception. We also weren’t given clear instructions about using the accommodation through Booking.com or when we arrived, beyond the check-in process. We came to see it because the hostel photos looked promising, but left frustrated. With all these problems, we couldn’t get any rest.

I got a lot of use out of the Wi-Fi, which worked perfectly whether I was working in my room or up on the terrace. The staff were warm and welcoming, too. I stayed in the yellow room, which had loads of space and thoughtful touches like a little sofa and reading light. It and the private bathroom were in excellent condition and very clean. The terrace was a great place to hang out, with music and videos on the TV, water to relax in, and games like frog toss, pool, and darts. We also had delicious pizza with an incredible view over the city and mountains. There was natural light throughout the facilities. The neighborhood was a highlight as well, relaxed, safe, and easy to walk around, with restaurants, main roads, hospitals, and shopping centers just a few blocks away.

The terrace was divine, with an incredible view. I also appreciated having my own bathroom despite staying in a shared room. The beds had curtains for a bit of privacy, plus a reading light and USB port each, which came in handy. The shared rooms are a 10/10, and I really enjoyed the facilities. Highly recommended.