Casa Aldea

The beds were so comfortable I passed right out, and I really liked how clean and organized everything was. The staff were friendly, easy to communicate with, and very helpful. I appreciated the roomy locker too: my whole backpack fit, with space left over, and I could secure it with my own lock while I went out. It's a great place near the buses if you're starting out in San Jose. I was only at this hostel for two nights, but really enjoyed the stay.

Getting around by bus was easy: there's a westbound stop just across the street at the corner, and another down the block along Paseo Colon. The lobby is beautiful, and the old cottage architecture is curious. The place was surprisingly peaceful and quiet. My room felt dark behind the deep red velvet curtains, and it took some effort to open them for more sunlight. There was no hot water showerhead. I couldn't find a patio kitchen, and nobody showed me where one might be. I had no access to a microwave, hot water for coffee or tea, or boiling water for instant food like ramen or Cup of Soup. We had to ask the staff in the kitchen for those things, which didn't feel fair to them. A mini fridge in the room would help keep drinks, insulin, or formula cold. The grounds could use plants and landscaping.

The location is decent, about a fifteen minute walk to the city center. There's a restaurant/bar attached, plus a nice outdoor seating and smoking area that isn't part of the restaurant. Staff were friendly, and the room was a decent size. But it smelled musty as soon as we walked in. A shower handle came completely off and had to be pushed back into place, the main light was barely brighter than being off, and city traffic was very audible from the room. The doorway is tiny, and I'm not a large person. It wasn't a terrible stay, but I wouldn't recommend it for more than a night or so.

This was my second stay here. It's an awesome hostel, easy to find and well located in the center, with a really cool property. The room was clean and comfortable, staff were very friendly, and the food was great too. I'd highly recommend it to anyone staying in San Jose.