There are hidden gems to be found in Medellín, if only you know where to look. One such place is The Garden of Blues hostel in Poblado which a friend recommended I visit.
It was one of the most genuinely charming hostels I have every visited (and I have visited quite a few).
You can tell that the owner, Oriana, has invested a lot of tender loving care into every aspect of the hostel and the result is a cross between a secret garden and your favorite aunt’s house.
The charming outdoor area
The location in the Provenza neighborhood is very good. The surrounding area is home to some of the trendiest restaurants and cafés in Medellín, so you won’t be short of dining options.
From the very attractive tree-lined street, you go through some large wooden doors and enter the welcoming outside terrace – an area which is due to become a small restaurant serving traditional Colombian food.
The terrace – soon to be restaurant
Flowers and plants are everywhere, with a bright and light decor. It has a warm, welcoming personality with its chilled out relaxation area and the little oasis of a garden.
Everything seems to ooze charm regardless of its role. From recycled tables to the wooden mounting for the TV.
The size of the hostel makes it comfortable and cozy. It has five rooms, four of which are shared (there are three four-bed dorms and one six-bed dorm) and one which is private with a double bed and bunk beds, along with an en suite bathroom.
The private room with en suite bathroom
The price is comparable to others in the area, with the four-bed dorms priced at 25,000 pesos ($10) and the six-bed dorms at 27,000 pesos ($10.80), while the private is 85,000 pesos ($34) for two people, plus an extra 27,000 pesos per person should you wish to make it a triple or quadruple.
The rooms aren’t modern. In fact, I would describe them more as rustic, but with the TLC given to the decor it still feels classy and homely.
Each room has a blackboard with the name written on in some stylish calligraphy, and there are big lockers with space to help clothes escape from the backpacks.
The outdoor chill out area has a hammock and relaxed seating area with people happily watching a film, or there is a selection of instruments by the main reception should you feel the urge to jam.
Only open three months, the hostel is already attracting rave reviews. As they make improvements, a small bar at the back and the new restaurant, I only foresee this hostel getting better.
I predict the only problem they will encounter is that it will become too popular for its capacity and people who don’t book far in advance, might not have the pleasure of staying here.
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Photos courtesy of The Garden of Blues Hostel.
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