Hostel El Gran Azul Olòn — Hotel in Parroquia Manglaralto

I stayed here during the August bank holiday in Ecuador, and I really enjoyed it here and felt very much at home. On arrival, there was a slight issue with my room, which meant it wasn't available, but I was immediately given an upgrade at no extra charge. It's just two blocks away from the main road (where you can get a bus or taxi) and three from the beach, so it's very convenient, and it's village-centre location (just off the main square) means that you feel that you're really part of a proper Ecuadorian village, not something artificial like Montañita. The room was spacious and clean and the bed was comfortable, the air conditioning worked and the Wi-Fi was excellent. The owners and guests alike were very friendly and I spent one evening chatting on the veranda rather than going to Montañita, enjoying drinks and snacks with the owners and the other guests, and that was really great. I will definitely go back to this hostel in the...

The staff was very accommodating and provided many local tips. The location was 2 blocks away from the beach with many great restaurants just outside the hostel. The internet was probably the best we had in Ecuador. The room also had air conditioning - a first in all of South America. However, that being said, the room was not so great. The bed cover that was given to us had a horrible smell and forced us to use our sleeping bag as a blanket. There are spider webs all over the walls. We had bugs crawling on the bed and come out of our bags. The room smelt of mold. Also, we booked this room through airbnb, where it was said that the kitchen could be used. Upon arrival, the owner told us we could use the kitchen but not the fridge (which was empty, we checked). When we did try to use the kitchen, the staff told us we could not. Also, not a real kitchen, just a gas stove on...

I stayed here on a Saturday in October, 15 for a private room, the shower head had wires coming out of it and it was electrocuting me, I slow shock while I was showering, obviously I stoped as soon as I heard the buzzing and felt the tingling, the street was loud from the second I got there until the second I left, loud music the entire night and early morning, then after about an hour of no music you will hear cars with microphones advertising food. And singing songs, at 10am. On a Sunday. Website advertises the grand azul as a place to escape the noise of Montanita but you will just get the noise of Olon, reception was nice though. Spend the extra 7$ and get a nice place away from town center of Olon, there are some...