Jaca Hostel — Hotel in Machico

For me, this hostel is unique. It's hard to figure out where I start and stop writing this review. The hostel itself is really beautiful and nicely decorated. The absolute eye-catcher is the mahogany staircase in the middle of the hostel. There is also a small work area with two desks. But there are also several other possibilities in the hostel to do your work. This home away from home can also shine with a wonderful roof terrace from which you can see the turquoise sea and the green valley with all the small roofs in the middle of the mountains. The front garden with two large tables and more seating, as well as possibilities to store surfboards and dry wetsuits is a super suitable place to meet other guests. Here you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner together or even drink a beer or two together. By the way, the beer is fresh from the tap. You can tap it yourself. I love it! Now I could say a few more things about the hostel itself, because I would think of countless little things that make this hostel the special place I was privileged to enjoy. But then I would write two more pages about it.

What made the hostel really unique for me was the team, consisting of the owners Joaquina and Tomé, as well as Ricardo, the man for really everything. Joaquina and Tomé can often be seen at the hostel and are open to any questions. If they are not in the hostel there is always the possibility to contact them. They are locals and know their island like the back of their hand. They do their best to give you a smooth stay. I was lovingly received by them. Always with a smile on their lips they flit through the hostel. Ricardo does a lot of work around and in the house and is also open for questions.He celebrates good food and wine.He celebrates good food and wine. But above all, he has a soft spot for pizza. Every Friday we have the pizza party. Sometimes even with live music. Ricardo serves his pizza. Of course everything is homemade. Joaquina and Tomé also make sure that you will have a wonderful evening. You really shouldn't miss it! All three of them pitch in and you can feel that the three of them are more than a team. They are friends who want to create a unique place for people from all over the world and are always developing this place. I am excited about what is still to come. Rumor has it that more projects are planned around the hostel.

Oh, and the area around the hostel is awesome anyway! Surf spots, wonderful hikes along cliffs or levadas, through the forest or different villages and the village itself with all its lovely people.

UNIQUE! Thank you for everything Joaquina, Tomé and Ricardo!

It is 100% the best hostel ever! There you have everything you may need like well equipped kitchen, comfy beds, showers, huge dining table indoors as well as another two outside in the garden, a terrace with the most amazing view of the ocean and mountains, a living room with couches and small work area in case you wanna work from "home"/paradise... and there is tap beer! It is so well designed and decorated that you feel like at home just with incredible views! You also have one of the best restaurants A Pipa just next door, a bakery 10 metres away, the beach is 1min away walking, also mountains are close so hiking is such a good idea - they're really good in this island. But if all that is already worth 10/10, staff brings the score at least up to 20/10. Kevin made me feel so welcome from the very 1st moment: introducing me to other guests, making traditional drink poncha (as I found out later - the best one in the whole island), answering all of my questions and giving the best advices to visit the most incredible places of the island. And then out of the sudden I found myself already feeling like part of the team! Like I've known them for weeks and months now!! This is really magical! There also are pizza nights on fridays and burger nights on mondays, and everything is homemade by Kevin and Ricardo! These guys will always welcome you with a smile and become your new family! From the very 1st moment you can feel there is this fantastic and unique atmosphere that you will never want to leave. I fell in love with this place so much that I can't wait to come back again. Much of love guys,...

Are you planning to visit Porto da Cruz? Are you interested in meeting new people and having great hosts who are warm, welcoming, and genuinely interesting?

Then you should definitely spend your time at Jaca Hostel. Whether you’re a solo traveler or visiting in a group, this hostel is perfect for everyone.

For 12 nights, I was lucky enough to call this place my home – and it truly felt like one. I met so many lovely, interesting people, enjoyed great food during the pizza and burger nights, caught some good waves (you can rent wetsuits and surfboards at the hostel) at the nearby beach, and will definitely come back again.

I went there as a solo traveler (my first time!) and wasn’t alone for more than an hour the whole time. The hostel is designed for social interaction, and the hosts, Rosa and Kevin, are both incredibly friendly and make you feel welcome from the very first second.

I stayed in the beautiful attic with six other people, but you still have your privacy thanks to the curtains. At first, I wasn’t quite sure about that setup, but it turned out to be no problem at all. Nearly everyone was respectful in the early mornings and tried to stay quiet. You have your own locker and even the option to do laundry.

The hostel is cleaned every day, so it’s always very tidy. Although there are “only” two bathrooms, it’s really not an issue – I never had to wait. And for showering, there’s also an outdoor shower available. So, I can’t say anything more – just go there, and you won’t regret it!

A big thank you to Kevin, Rosa, Tomé, and Leo - we will see each...