Hostal de la 57 — Hotel in Manizales

A new hostel (open since January 2015), it is still relatively quiet, which is perfect for those wanting a quiet spot. It appears they are still building up their business and definitely not your typical party hostel. Mainly appeared to be locals or spanish speaking travellers staying when I was there. It is located out of the city, and approximately 30-40 minute walk into town through a pleasant neighbourhood (you can also catch a bus). ||Lounge area that includes netflix, balcony with chairs and a hammock to watch the world go by. I stayed in a single room (with a bunk bed), it would be pretty small for 2 people with bags as well (by memory only 4sqm in size) - paid 34000 for private room with shared bathroom (be mindful of the 16% tax that gets added). Each bed has it's own tv and headset for private listening - a great addition to the world of hostels! Towels provided, good, clean bedding and fluffy pillows. Plentiful hot water with good water pressure. 3 different bathrooms to use throughout the hostel, bathrooms were clean (cleaned on daily basis). ||There is a restaurant onsite, but didn't appear to be in use during the evenings (possibly due to no need from guests staying), but I presume that will change as the place becomes busier. Recommendations available for local places to eat. Breakfast is included (arepa, eggs and cheese with either chocolate or coffee). ||Owners are extremely lovely and speak english, rest of the staff speak spanish only. Maps available and good knowledge of local attractions (pay the 10000pesos and head upstairs of the cathedral for the tour and views, well worth it), also take a trip on the cable car (takes approximately 20 minutes for a return trip), worth the views. ||Only downside is the soundproofing, sound carries through the hallways and from other rooms, so pack earplugs if you are a light sleeper. ||Supermarket is less than 5 minute walk away (no need to buy water, you can drink the tap water).||Bus station is approximately 10 minute taxi ride away - cost approximately 6000 pesos. ||Wifi is included and good strong signal in common areas and room. ||A good spot to base yourself for a couple of days in Manizales if you are after some quiet downtime and to enjoy the experience of being in a local neighbourhood rather than the central...

When I stayed at this hostel, I couldn't believe the good reviews it had. My experience was just opposite.||||It was festival time and they only had triple rooms available. I had to pay for the 3 beds even though I was alone. And that was too expensive even for a hostel!! The room was extremely tiny. If there had been 3 people with luggage, they wouldn't have been able to move at all. And there were only two lockers!! The bottom bunk bed was on floor level. There were dead insects on the window sill. The window couldn't be opened, so the room got stuffy and hot (they also showed me a similar room without window, now I don't know which one would have been better). The room was very noisy: I could clearly hear the conversations in the next room and in the aisle at night. ||||Wifi worked very badly. It kept disconnecting all the time. The bathrooms didn't have much privacy. The toilet stalls were tiny. I was never shown the shared kitchen. And when I discovered the common lounge, the cleaning lady suddenly appeared and somehow prevented me from entering. It felt as if I wasn't allowed to use it. ||||There was none at reception early in the morning (well, at 7am) when I wasn't picked up for a tour they had arranged for me. The cooks arrived later than 7.15am and didn't know what to do to help me. Finally, at 7.30am a cleaning lady appeared and managed to call the hotel owner so that she could contact the tour agency. At that point I felt stranded, considering that that was my only possibility to go to Nevado del Ruiz.. It was if they didn't care about their guests. Actually, when I returned the key at check-out, they didn't even look me in the eye. ||||As positive points, I can only point out that they lent me a small fan (as I said before, the room was hot and stuffy), the bathrooms were clean and the bed was comfortable. But they will never see me again in...

We've spend five nights in private room - there was one bed for two people and a bunk bed for another two. It was only two of us, so it was okay, but for four people it would|be a very small room. It was also rather dark, with a window to a small yard with community kitchen. Both room and the bathroom was very clean, everything was changed and cleaned every day. ||There are cameras in the public spaces and reception was staffed 24/7, so we've felt very safe (Manizales is very safe in general). Community kitchen is huge and has all the basic ammenities, it's also okay to order "domicilios" (food delivery). There's a very nice terrace outside, so you can eat your dinner there and even get some beers from the reception for the usual turist price. ||Staff was very nice and welcoming, but they do not speak almost any English, so you can sharpen your Spanish. They are unfortunately not very helpful regarding tours and similar stuff. On the plus side, you can buy some postcards (not very common!) and souvenirs at the reception.||Breakfast, included in the room price, was very simple and not very good (eggs with arepa or cereals with a not very good yoghurt). ||If you are looking for cheap private room or a dorm in Manizales, I can...