Santa Cruz Hostel — Hotel in Santa Cruz

I'll start by saying that if this hostel changed some of its policies it would actually be a lovely hostel - pretty cottages, great location, clean rooms. BUT - their policy that you must leave the hostel between 11am and 5pm is just ridiculous - what kind of accomodation doesn't let you have access to the room you have paid for? The whole point of staying in accomodation is that you are travelling and need to use somewhere as a base. It's your home away from home - especially when you have been travelling for months like we have! There was some vague reasoning given that the cottages are a "public park" - but the cottages are not open to the public so I fail to see why paying guests should not be able to access their room and belongings for the day. It's an extremely limiting policy and one that frankly feels unhospitable and stingy. ||Other issues were a midnight curfew (?? At a youth hostel??), no alcohol allowed on premises (we didn't realise this until too late and had to drink our wine in a nearby park!) and generally unfriendly staff. You get a real "us and them" vibe from the staff, with interactions focused on reiterating policies or checking in/out. Strangely the guest kitchen is in one building, but coffee is served in the staff area which made going there to get it feel like a bit of an imposition.||All in all a real disappointment unfortunately. Someone should shake this place up and bring some life to the place!! It's a beautiful spot and you could make it a relaxing 'non-party' hostel, without enforcing these ridiculous policies. I've stayed at many hostels that are tranquil and chilled out and they still allow full access to premises, alcohol on premises and no curfew. It's all about the...

Love the grounds but very disappointed in the staff and it seems after reading reviews I am not the only one. She was very hostile and rude. when I tried to show her respect, apologize for any disrespectful behavior, look her in the eye and level with her, I was treated very rudely and poorly. I think this hostel put a bad name to hostel culture and have never felt less welcome as a paying customer. However Tony is amazing. RE :Reply, Yes you can reply saying how justified it was. I was trying to pack my motorcycle bag when you asked me to leave my room I was in the process of checking out of. Which I was more than happy to leave and pack on the sidewalk but you just left and let me do it and I was out in one minute and gone. I had made friends at the hostel, so the only reason I was back later that night was specifically to go back out with one of your guests. No part of me ever felt the want or need to be back on the property by myself. We walked through your gate together. I was quietly waiting for him to get ready, outside, in a chair, since I had been informed earlier I was not allowed into other rooms. Then I was approached and asked to wait on the other side of the fence which just completely baffled me as I was causing no trouble or harm. I was then informed “this is a hostel” which is something I agree with. I’ve stayed in hostels all over the world and the culture is usually very accepting and welcoming. Then when I tried to communicate with the misunderstanding, you refused to even be polite. I find when people are unhappy they want to bring others down. Perhaps working in a place where you interact with people who are on adventures, vacations, and travel, isn’t...

This is a quaint hostel with buildings situated in different locations on the property. Walking through the short, main gate, you're greeted with outdoor patio areas surrounded by a garden, creating an open and welcoming ambiance exuding the nature admirer theme. Ahead is the check in desk with a kiosk for new arrivals - the non-profit doesn't always have people on staff and it states that late check-ins won't necessarily be fulfilled. I arrived early and a bed was ready well before the check-in time in a shared room with a cozy common area. An app is used to open the main doors to each building, and some rooms utilize the same app or have a key ring which is what I used for the private domicile.

The following day, I requested an upgrade to a private room and was immediately provided room options, the second of which included a desk where I could work and attend virtual meetings. At one point, the manager congratulated me for coming outside on a beautiful day after I had shut myself in - luckily, the hostel happens to be conveniently located less than a 5 minute stroll to the boardwalk.

Parking is first come first serve, I cannot attest to how that will look from May on as most parking is permit only and more cars will be jostling for spots. Upon leaving, they request bedding be dropped off in the laundry room in the main building before checking-out.

I can highly recommend this hostel based on the excellent service and location as well as the interior amenities and the outside logistics during...