“The Trip Hostel has the perfect combination of good vibes and comfort. It’s owned and operated by three young Punta del Este locals that go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your stay. There is a fully-equipped kitchen, BBQ areas, a rooftop terrace, and a common area with cable TV and a DVD player that you can use. You are also welcome to BYOB into the hostel to enjoy in our bar.” – The Trip Hostel
Located in the heart of Punta del Este, The Trip Hostel seems like the place to be in Uruguay and should be a great place to meet other travelers. It’s only two blocks from the bus terminal and two blocks away from the beaches, Playa Mansa and Playa Brava. We booked the sole private double bedroom with en-suite bathroom for $25.00 per person per night.
The Review
Wow! More like a bad trip. “We didn’t get it. Suffocated in the mildew/moldy private room.”
This review is for the older backpacker crowd that looked at this place for a budget accommodation, but may be outside the age bracket for the typical guest that would stay here. We are 35-year-old backpackers. We looked at, and then booked, The Trip Hostel due to the budget costs and very positive reviews on many sites. It was also in very short walking distance from the main bus station and beaches in Punta del Este, which was a plus.
As we are backpacking across South America, we were looking for just an average, budget friendly place to stay in Punta del Este for a few days. Upon check in, we noticed a cool bar area and a large balcony area to enjoy ocean views, sun, and drinks. Staff was friendly.
We booked the private room which was the main reason we checked out early. The room really needed a good clean and despite the air conditioner in the room smelled so heavily of mildew and mold that we struggled to breathe while inside. There is no outside ventilation in the room. Only a door that has a small opening window that unfortunately is next to the communal smoking area. A big concern was that our comforter/bedding had mold on it. (See photo).
During our one night stay, the hot water heater broke. No one seemed in any hurry to repair it for the guests. We checked out immediately the next morning which staff apologized and returned our deposit for the other nights without any difficulty. They seemed to be aware that the room was damp and something was just not right with it.
It is important to note that the main reason for this review is that this place may be suitable for young (male?) backpackers happy to find a place to chill and party. It was just in too much need of a deep cleaning and too stuffy for a couple trying to find an average, basic room to stay.
For clean, more couple/family friendly accommodations we highly recommend Rojo y Negro in the La Barra area of Punta del Este. Clean, modern, new pool, great staff, and a beautiful kitchen to prep meals in. Take the #14 bus at the Punta del Este and it is a short walking distance from the second stop over the curvy bridge. There is English-speaking staff at the Punta del Este bus terminal to assist travelers.
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