Santa Maria Hostel

Jenny is a great host, and the mostly backpacker crowd gives the place a good vibe. The location is really convenient, with aspi wall and other bien venues within walking distance. The private AC room’s washroom window isn’t covered, which is the one downside. Please add a cover. The Wi-Fi connection on the 2nd floor also wasn’t great. Apart from those things, everything was good.

The staff are really nice, and I liked the decoration. But this is a party place, so it works if you’re tipsy and looking for company. A good night’s sleep or a calm atmosphere isn’t guaranteed. Music from downstairs was still loud at 1 a.m. People came back drunk at all hours, sometimes turning on the room light at 3 a.m. My bed had no curtain. The metal bunks were a bit of a climb, even for someone fit, rather like climbing around a ship facility. Doors to the outside and bathroom were loud, and the room door had no handle on the inside. There were also an outstanding number of mosquitos.

Santa Maria was my first hostel stay, and I really loved it. The hosts made it great by recommending lots of places and food spots around fort kochi. It’s very affordable, and the stay includes a complimentary breakfast that was amazing. The hosts were great too.

I first came here about four years ago, expecting to stay just two days. I ended up staying more than a week, and I’ve returned many times since. The hosts are so warm and kind that you feel at home straight away. On that first visit, I got to celebrate a festival with them, then explore nearby places with them and hear stories and experiences a regular tourist wouldn’t get. It made the trip memorable. Now I bring groups along so they can feel that same connection. Staying here has come to feel less like visiting friends and more like returning to family. If you only want somewhere to sleep, it may exceed your expectations. If you’re open to experiences, connections, and lasting memories, there’s something special here. “You can check in anytime you like, but you can never leave.”