N1 Hostel Apartments & Suites — Hotel in Santarém

Avoid at All Costs – Nightmare Experience

This was, by far, the most unpleasant hostel stay I’ve ever had. Unless you want to feel like you’re stuck in a poorly made horror movie, I strongly suggest you avoid this place. The only redeeming qualities are the location and the terrace – and that’s where the positives end.

Our issues started the moment we arrived. Despite booking a 4-bed room nearly six months in advance, we were placed in an 8-bed dorm with strangers. The hostel claimed this was because we had asked if an extra bed could be added after our booking. Although they confirmed it was possible via email, they never mentioned that it meant changing our entire room type. Had we known, we wouldn’t have come. Instead of enjoying my friend trip, I had to waste time at reception trying to fix something that was entirely their fault.

There were many other problems we faced:

A shared bathroom for 12 people WITHOUT A LOCK– which I believe may be illegal. Windows that don’t open. A main light consisting of a dim 50cm LED strip on a 2-minute timer. Only 4 power outlets, 2 of which were unusable, and the others inconveniently placed. And other 2 used for bed light which we have to keep on because the big light doesn’t work as it should. The only “furniture” besides bed was a tiny trash can with no lid, a miniature bed stool, and a broken “safe” storage for every bed that stayed open no matter what. Bathroom constantly leaking into the hallway, leaving wet, dirty floors. Bathrooms often dirty and smelly – no cleaning signage, no air freshener, and minimal maintenance.

The reception only operates from 15:00 to 21:00. That means no help is available in the morning or late at night. The kitchen (if you can even call it that) is also locked outside of those hours.

On our second day, we encountered the ✨owners✨. That’s when things got worse. While we were trying to quietly have dinner, they came over and started scolding us about “rules” that were never written anywhere – like not using the microwave or having to place plastic mats under our plates. They demanded we leave mid-meal because they wanted to close the first floor for the night. We had never left a mess or broken anything, yet were treated with suspicion and disrespect.

We asked about storing our luggage after check-out, and were told to just leave it on the stairwell – an unsecured public area. At that point, we already no longer trusted them to keep anything safe.

When I explained we were unhappy with our experience, the woman at the front desk asked, “What didn’t you like? Tell me everything.” I soon realized it was a trap. They weren’t interested in listening or resolving anything – they just wanted to argue. My friend and I were repeatedly interrupted and ridiculed. They shouted, mocked us, and insisted we were wrong for feeling uncomfortable. When a family member came to pick up one of us who decided to leave early, and decided to have a talk, that men screamed so loudly during their conversation that people on the street could hear.

By the end of the trip, we felt unsafe and intimidated. We even asked for the official complaints book – something every business in the EU is required to have – and were told, “okay, yes” only to discover it didn’t exist and there was only an electronic version. Another lie.

These owners are the most arrogant, rude, and unprofessional people I’ve ever dealt with. If someone says your hostel made them feel unsafe and uncomfortable, your job is to improve the experience, not gaslight your guests. I still get goosebumps thinking about that night was. I wouldn’t wish this...

Although super stylish and elegant for a hostel, the service provided did not meet the minimum requirements for a Pilgrim on the Cammino de Santiago. They advertise that they are pilgrim friendly and have lots of cammino memorabilia in the reception area but they did not provide the minimum necessary requirements for someone on the cammino past a clean bed and a hot shower. They wouldn't allow food to be brought in from the outside despite the fact that there was no hot food available on site and a communal kitchen was advertised. They absolutely forbid us from hand washing and hanging our clothes out to dry and threatened us with a 100 euro fine if we tried, then they refused to allow us to pay for the laundry service unless we could give 8 kilos minimum. When we got 8 kilos together, they told us it was out of service. The communal bathroom for 10 people with 1 shower and 1 toilet had no lock on the toilet or shower, and the glass was frosted in a way that made them look empty from the outside, so others often walked in on you unknowingly. The breakfast included was just a cheese sandwich and an orange juice left in a fridge for you to collect in the morning, irrelevant of your check-out time. Overall, the service from the first moment was cold, panicked.and frankly aggressive. Your money is better spent at a smaller family run place where pilgrims and their needs on the cammino...

It was such a shock to arrive upon this oasis. I was struggling during the last stretch of the Camino and was blown away by it at first sight.||The staff was friendly and quickly grabbed me a complementary glass of water with ice! Man did that hit the spot. Thank you.||After a quick check in, they showed me my room. Wow! It looks awesome and each bunk gets it's own locking drawer. No longer do I need to haul around my valuables.||The bathroom follows through with a trendy feel. It has a rain shower. I love those.||The door is locked with your own key card. I love the technology in this place.||I had dirty clothes and asked about washing them. She only charged me 2€ and promised them back by end of dinner! Yes, I wish all the hostels and alburgues were this accommodating.||There's a bar two doors down or you can stay in the hotel and get drinks there. I opted to check out the rest of town but I'm sure they offer a good selection.||The internet didn't work at all in the rooms for me but seemed to be ok in the main bar area of the hotel. Also the hallways were open air. They have beautiful views of the roofs and city below.||Breakfast was served between 8 and 10am. Check out is at noon. I appreciated taking my time to leave.||I'd definitely come back! This...