Casa Hostal El Faro — Hotel in Caldera

We booked this as part of Airbnb's listing.||One of the biggest surprises that we had was that the apartment or "loft" as it is described, it's just another big room of the hostel (it didn't say this on the listing so it was a big surprise for us). Outside your doorstep, there's a terrace or balcony where guests of the hostel meet at night and laugh (great if you booked a room in a hostel, not so great If you booked a "separate apartment" or vacation home).||Another surprise was the size and quality of the kitchen (there are no photos of the kitchen on the listing). The kitchen is a small space, but what was really displeasing was that the fridge was extremely small (mini fridge actually) and the stove was as camping stove on the kitchen counter. No need to say it didn't have an oven and that overall was disappointing. |The utensils were in bad shape and the kitchen knife was disgusting (I do mean horrible, like a prison shank). The kitchen is a kitchen that you would expect from a dubious motel room.|The worst of it all was the bathroom with a constant smell of sewer coming out of it that gave us nausea every time we went in there.||On the bright side, the people that worked there are extremely helpful and considerate. They deliver breakfast to you every morning and it's a great breakfast, a very nice gesture. |The bedsheets and towels were impeccable clean, the room has a great set of beds and a nice TV (with cable) if you're into that instead of watching the beautiful view of the sea from your window.|The hostel is located about 2 miles from Bahia Inglesa so it's a few minutes away really and that's great for traveling back and forth.||In Summary.|PRO:|-Great location|-Mariela and her team are helpful and considerate|-Breakfast delivered to your room|-Great view of Caldera's bay|-Nice beds and towels||CONS:|- Not really a vacation home or apartment, more like a big room from a hostel. (so overpriced)|-The price is for a vacation house, not a hostel room (not properly listed)|-Lousy kitchen|-Hostel environment (great if you're traveling with your mates and like to get to know new people, but not so great if you're planning a romantic getaway with your wife)|-The awful smell coming out of the bathroom permanently it's a big downside.||Overall it was a good experience essentially because of the accommodating and thoughtful people that work there. But a little bit overpriced for...

There is no better place to stay in Caldera! The room was very comfortable with a nice thick duvet and blankets, a TV with good channels and a sizeable fridge. The ensuite bathroom was also small but excellent with a good powerful shower and no lapses in hot water. ||The breakfast was help yourself - simple but nice. Homemade bread made by Patricia you can toast with marmalade and some eggs. Unlimited tea and coffee but the best part was there was no time limit on breakfast. Patricia even brought some extra bread out for us at 8pm while we were waiting for a late bus! Speaking of which Patricia was the nicest and most wonderful and generous host in the owners absence - she offered to drive us to the bus station with our heavy bags, she was always offering us tea and coffee and made a lot of effort to speak as much English as she could to us. Her efforts were above and beyond what you normally receive in a hostel and she made our stay five star!||There were no real bad points. We adore animals and there is a tiny Yorkie called Puntito who is always happy for a cuddle and two friendly cats. I suppose If you don't like animals maybe then this may not be the place for you although you will struggle to escape the dogs on Caldera!||Thank you Patricia for an...

This is a great little hostel with a wonderful proprietress who, whilst she speaks no English, spoke slow and clear Spanish for me to be able to converse easily. A big deal in Chile! ||The room was small and cosy with a comfortable bed. It was nicely decorated. It was en suite and had a little electric hot plate and a kettle. Towels were available. There was also free wifi. As a very tall man, I struggled a bit in the shower but there was hot water, thank goodness! ||Breakfast was included - soft bread with cheese and jam and tea. Simple and effective. The breakfast room's walls are covered with information about tour guides etcetera. ||There is a terrace up top with great views of the bay. ||Overall a lovely stay in a simple, cosy hostel. At the town's edge, it's bit far from the town centre, but then, Caldera is tiny and it would take all of 15...