Hostel Casal São João — Hotel in Ribeira Brava

Avoid this place. If it’s the only place that fits your budget, you’re better off choosing another destination.

I booked this after seeing mostly good reviews, and was excited for my stay in September. Most amenities (toilet, shower, kitchen) are as expected from a cheap hostel, however on my third night staying here I discovered my room was INFESTED with bed bugs. My entire suitcase was full of them and there was nothing I could save.

The owner totally ghosted me after raising my concerns, and all I got was a very insincere sorry from who I can only assume is the manager (who was my main point of contact during my stay). The site I made the booking through were very helpful in getting my refund, but it’s a shame this hostel doesn’t have the same kind of care or professionalism most do. I had to find a last minute hotel for the rest of my stay in Madeira, which left me out of pocket ~€600; not to mention the week I was covered head to toe in bed bug bites, making for very uncomfortable, and potentially very dangerous health issues.

A tragedy which could have been avoided if Hostel Casal São João just had the integrity to take care of their building and rooms. It’s not a hard task to keep rooms bed-bug free, and even easier to take care of your customers after such a discovery.

I’m not one to write bad reviews, but this was horrible to deal with and memories of my trip to Madeira will forever be haunted by my experience...

Avoid! Absolutely shocking experience. Just look at the pictures. I arrived late due to my flight being delayed. Contacted the place in advance about the issue but I was reassured someone will check me in. After getting there I spent 2 hours sitting in the garden at the back of the property, nobody answered the door. The phone number didn't answer and after the second dial sent me straight to voicemail. I am eventually being let in, it's 2:15. The kitchen is in ruins with the smell of mold and cat urine and paint peeling off the wall. I was traveling for 22 hours and just needed to sleep. Going to bed just to find bed bugs on the wall beside. Of course I could not sleep and booked another accommodation last minute. The only good thing was booking.com returned all my money almost instantly in the morning when I moved. They also did it to people who spent a couple of nights there unaware of why they are getting red marks all over body blaming allergies. Bed bugs hid during the day and my late arrival saved me in a way because when I turned the lights bed bugs were visible...

Absolutely 0 stars! This is one of those facilities that should be closed! The entire building was dirty and falling in pieces. Wooden boards of the floor were broken and in very poor condition. A very big and heavy chandelier fell down to the ground (that could hurt someone). The glass of my room's window was broken and there were cold draughts from the window. Restoration works were on the agenda, not letting to rest in peace. The WiFi, for which I paid, did not work because the signal was too weak from my room. Eventually, but not least, there was an infestation of crabs/cockroaches (insects) everywhere. In the bathroom, in the kitchen, in the rooms, and even on the beds while you were sleeping. Despite people who manage and live in this facility are polite, this hostel should not host people for sanitary conditions. I had to change with another building. That was a tremendous inconvenience for my stay...