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Reviews of El Arbol Hostel

Eduardo de la Barra 29, 1710146 La Serena, Chile

#23 of 44 hotels in La Serena

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 99 hostel reviews

7.7

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.4

  • Comfort

    8.2

  • Location

    8.6

  • Facilities

    7.8

  • Staff

    8.2

  • Value for money

    8.1

  • Free Wifi

    7.8

Verified guest reviews from real Bookers

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: April 25, 2025

    7.0
    Employee downgrades a beautiful hostel
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The employee was not telling the truth/lying to me. Basically I asked her if I can have a lower bunk bed instead of the upper one and she said to me all lower bunk beds are already reserved/booked. In the end 3 of 4 lower bunk beds were not taken at the night. Further I asked if a private room was available, she neglected and said it's booked out as well. Turns out online there was a private room still available. At breakfast at exactly 10 o'clock me and another guest were just in the end of having the breakfast, she took all the stuff from the table without asking if we are done or need something else. At least she helped me at one point with a call. Kitchen is too small for the amount of people, shower pressure (at least at the dorm) can be reduces for improvement Apart from that the hostel is a really great and beautiful home!

    Very comfortable and warm beds, clean and cozy place!

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: March 30, 2025

    8.0
    Good location and value for money
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Very good location and nice room. Staff was friendly and helpful. The kitchen is quite small so needed to wait for other people to prep there meal. But good shared space

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: March 15, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There was no ladder to get to the top bunk. The beds were pushed against the windows. To be able to open up the window, we had to push the beds away from the windows. The breakfast was very minute and wasn't very tasty, I have to say... but at least it helped to get in contact with fellow travellers ;)

    A nice accomodation, easy to meet people. Very clean. The location was also good - easy to reach from the busstation.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: March 14, 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Very good location, very clean property. Tali is an excellent host !

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: February 24, 2025

    8.0
    Cute hostel in good area
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Quite pricy & staff doesn't speak English. Only the person on WhatsApp speaks English (but answers very quickly)

    Super comfy beds, good area, very clean & secure. My money got stolen (which wasn't the hostels fault) & the person on WhatsApp (the owner?) seemed to care about it a lot. Definitely felt supported by that.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: December 29, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    All was perfect . Could have use a sharp knife 😅

    Homy Not too big , owner and resident were friendly Location. Is perfect next to hypermarket and all buses ( long and short distances ) Cleaning is done daily

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: December 16, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    They only accept cash, and charge foreigners a 20% tax unless you pay in USD

    A very cool mix of guests from many countries. It's 500m to the Japanese Garden (lots of ducks and swans) and the pedestrian bridge (Pasarela), which connects to the big shopping center and has buses to everywhere in the city, the airport, Coquimbo and Pisco Elqui. TIPS: The upstairs bath is the nicest. Consider staying in Vicuña for a night or two -- very charming, easy access to Pisco, and heaps of deep space observatories with telescopes (Pangue is the best).

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: September 4, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Staff, home-like feeling, breakfast

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: August 3, 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    You can't pay with a card and they charge an extra 19%. I understood foreigners don't have to pay that tax. It's the first time in Chile they charge me that tax. It's better to make reservations with platforms that charge in advance without the extra 19% on taxes.

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: June 26, 2024

    7.0
    Great location.... slept peacefully
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I don't think I received a WhatsApp message, but thankfully I arrived before 5:30 so got in without any issues.

    It is close to the Lider supermarket and about a 30 minute walk to the beach. The beds were warm and comfortable. The Internet works fine, and there is a kitchen to use. The oven was having some issues though.

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: June 18, 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    It was just freezing inside.

    It is in a calm location near the center and in walking distance to the bus station. The breakfast is good to start the day. Beds were warm and cozy. Depending on your roommates the bathroom is cleaner or not so clean. Not everyone slept in the room they booked. You might need to ask about it. Met the coolest people there.

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: April 13, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Great place, easy to meet ppl. Little terrasse outside was nice. Its mostly a house conveted into a hostel. They let me park the mortorbike inside the gate which was great cause this town has its share of weirdos at night

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: April 1, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    No individual lamps on beds and not much space for putting things next to you, reception closes at 5.30pm, the lady was nice but wasn't very patient with me speaking only a little spanish, so communication was a bit difficult

    Just a couple of minutes walk away from bus terminal, rooms and beds were clean, equipment in kitchen was ok (kitchen is quite small though), breakfast is served but very basic

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: December 31, 2023

    8.0
    A comfortable, friendly stay.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    There was no receptionist after a certain hour (4pm?) and the self-check in system didn't work well. Often when new guests had problems getting in they would have to ring the bell and get the attention of other guests to be let in. Other times potential guests would ring the bell as management didn't answer their calls/messages etc..

    The room was really comfortable and clean. It was easy to meet others in this accommodation as breakfast was on a lovely large table in the dinning room and the outdoor area was small/cosy making it easy to speak to others if you wanted to. The kitchen although small had every you needed.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: December 30, 2023

    7.0
    Not value for money.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Share toilet does not mentioned in the room type. (Only mentioned in the detail description) The kitchen is small.

    Room is big and clean.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: December 28, 2023

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Family Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The bathroom was a little small and there’s only two bathrooms at the property so if it’s full then this can involve waiting but didn’t pose too much of a problem for us!

    Good location and the staff were really friendly! A nice little hostal with a small breakfast included! The owners were super helpful giving us tips for the local area.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: December 15, 2023

    9.0
    Comfortable, clean and close to the centre!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I didn't really like the city but that's apart from this hostel :)

    Very friendly host that welcomed us as a mother. Good beds and pillows, very clean, good breakfast.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: October 11, 2023

    7.0
    Fine hostel near centre La Serena
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Breakfast is very simple. No juice. Just toast with cheese and butter, nescafe or tea.

    Location is good. Enough blankets for the cold nights. Friendly staff.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: September 23, 2023

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The 8-bed dorm is a bit small and gets quickly crammed when full Same goes for the one bathroom to share

    Nice little hostel, clean and tidy, with a small courtyard to hang out in Easy to find from the bus station Pretty close to town center and plaza de armas Lovely and kind little lady owner/attendant

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: July 27, 2023

    9.0
    Good.
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The room is different from we booked.

    Location

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: July 18, 2023

    8.0
    Nice place to stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nowhere the information that they only except cash.

    Very friendly staff Lovely breakfast

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: May 26, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    The bathrooms could have been a bit cleaner

    Great beds, great breakfast, looks very very cute! I only stayed there one night though

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: May 14, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    wifi struggled a bit, house is small but cosy, breakfast a little underwhelming

    Great common area, friendly staff.

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: April 28, 2023

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 6 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    -very bad Internet connection -breakfast... is OK but not amazing

    -nice staff -beautiful House and atmosphere -breakfast included -clean

    Stayed in April 2023

Showing 1 - 25

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