Koisi Hostel

Grim and hard to access. The 'digital reception' is responsive but had to admit that I would need to speak to 'the local team' when I became stranded and had really urgent questions about transport to the hostel (which meant that I could get help making it to the hostel as a person with impaired mobility 'when you arrive'). I wish they could have told me, when I got in touch in advance about disability issues, that due to a huge concert there would be no taxis to bring me to and from there. Fairly shabby interior and the need to input your 'digital key' in increasingly worn-away keypads at every door seemed like a pointless chore - I've used other unmanned reception services where a key is provided through an automated dispenser, it isn't that hard. Outside it looks like a Scandinavian prison but the rooms are not as spacious or well appointed. The staff (who manned reception, making the need for all this hyped 'digitisation' fascinating) were all lovely, they just didn't have much to work with. Too far from the city to make walking there during a short trip practical, and the surrounding area has nothing to recommend it. I was never so glad to leave a hostel, and I've been in the government hostels along the Camino.

I was emailed a code to get into the property, there was no one on reception to welcome me. I booked in a hurry and my bad, didnt realise this is a digital property, I have never heard of such a thing. I managed to get into the building, found the room numbering system very confusing, the lovely cleaning man who spoke no English assisted me to my room where we discovered my door code would not open the dorm room door. After ten tries he went and got a card and I managed to open at door. It was at this point that an ungodly stench, reminiscent of a football team locker room after a game, hit me in the face. It was absolutely disgusting. There were five sweaty guys in their marinating in each others stench. It was after midnight, I was exhausted, I went to bed. Immediately in the morning I went to the front desk and asked to be moved, there was a bit of mucking about because the lovely girl there was only admin and had to call someone else who had to call me back...the answer was pretty straight - You booked a share room, deal with it. I asked for a refund and was told No. I took breakfast which was extremely basic. I had to return to the room, opened the curtains and the window as wide as it would go to air the room out. I'd say this place isn't bad unless you have an issue, then you are on your own. The facilities are pretty average. They have only one washing machine and dryer for the entire hostel and the bathrooms on my floor, the toilet was half broken and only one out of two showers had a door that locked. It is quite far from the center of town. To top it off, I had twice emailed the hostel to advise I have a disability and require a bottom bunk and to ask if they have a private fridge where I could store my medication. They never responded and my meds need to be in the fridge, I had no choice but to leave them in the very small and hardly sterile or secure, common room fridge. When I retrieved the bag on the last day, more than half my medicine was missing. Very expensive and much needed medicine. I came away with a six month supply, now reduced to six weeks and I can not afford to replace them. Not a happy camper but what can you do ? I left but hey, it is cheap and you might have a better experience.

Great location, just a short walk downhill from the beach. A cozy hostel with a very nicely decorated public space/restaurant/lobby. Very friendly, english speaking staff. Rooms are very basic, but nice and clean. Beds and shower are very good. We had the family room with two kids, age 5 and 7. Would recommend, but keep in mind that the upper bunkbed had no “fence” so it is not safe for kids to sleep in. Also keep in mind that check in is self service. We saw some 50+ aged people struggeling with this.