Jacío House

We had breakfast on the patio every morning and got to know some lovely fellow travelers. The whole place has been restored with so much care, and although it looks brand new, it has loads of character. The beds were the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in at a hostel. I loved the stay and would definitely come back.

I kept extending my booking, two nights at a time, so that says plenty. The place is stylish, spotless, and furnished with quality fixtures, and the oversized single beds are comfortable. The other guests were respectful and interesting, and there are lots of pleasant outdoor spots. Public transport is easy to reach. It runs mostly as a DIY stay, so there isn’t much service involved, though the owner replies quickly by email if you have a question. I did miss having an indoor lounge, but that’s a small thing. A good grocery store is around 5 km away, a bit of a trek, though I had a bike.

The main drawback is how close the front of the building is to the coastal highway, about 2 meters away. My Nublo room faced it, so I had to keep the window shut at night. The courtyard and back patio are sheltered from the noise, but you can hear it in the southern front area, including the kitchen. The pool is inside the restaurant downstairs, which felt odd to me. I preferred the natural ocean pools, about an 8-minute walk away. Inside, the old building has been beautifully refurbished, with high ceilings and a nice cross-breeze. The bed was very comfortable, the kitchen and bathrooms were great, and the shared areas felt welcoming. Furnishings are new or good-quality antiques. Finding the front door is tricky, but the GMaps pin is right. If driving, use the free P about 80 m east of the hostel. You can only enter the lot from the westbound lanes towards Ageate, then walk along or behind the guardrail to the door.

The owner is really friendly, and I had a lovely stay. The old building has been restored with an amazing eye for detail, and I especially liked the inner courtyard and the facilities, particularly the kitchen. I’d move the pool up to the terrace on the upper floor.