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Summary of reviewsAzores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria is situated in a picturesque and convenient location, nestled in a charming village by the harbor. Its central position provides easy access to Vila do Porto's center, the marina, and various hiking trails, making it ideal for those wishing to explore Santa Maria. The former convent structure offers beautiful views of the Atlantic, enhancing the overall atmosphere. Budget travelers appreciate the hostel's affordability, conveniently located near essential amenities like supermarkets and restaurants. The strategic location combined with a spacious pool and rooms underscores the excellent hospitality provided by the staff.
The hostel's breakfast offerings strike a balance between simplicity and adequacy, with guests generally satisfied despite some calls for greater variety. Rooms are functional and clean, providing varying degrees of comfort and amenities. While street noise and a lack of curtains in dormitory beds are noted areas for improvement, guests appreciate the spaciousness and cleanliness alongside some room conveniences like air conditioning.
The hostel maintains impressive cleanliness across its premises, from well-kept living areas to a tidy pool. Though minor bathroom hygiene issues exist, overall cleanliness contributes to a welcoming atmosphere supported by attentive staff. The reception team is particularly noted for their friendliness and helpfulness, enhancing guests’ experiences throughout their stay.
While Wi-Fi connectivity is somewhat inconsistent, with better service in common areas than in rooms, it meets basic browsing needs. The pool is often highlighted as a major asset, described as beautiful and a serene spot to unwind, offering an infinity pool feature that adds a touch of luxury. Despite occasional maintenance issues, the pool remains a well-received aspect of the hostel, complemented by friendly staff and appealing surroundings.
Parking arrangements are well-regarded, with ample and conveniently located spaces enhancing the overall experience. Despite some dissatisfaction with outdated beds and mattresses, the hostel compensates with its appealing features, such as breakfast offerings and internet connectivity. The outdoor pool serves as a peaceful oasis, with its aesthetic appeal and tranquil setting enriching visitors' experiences.
In summary, Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria provides a budget-friendly and conveniently located option for travelers, delivering a largely positive experience through its welcoming staff, clean facilities, scenic pool, and strategic location amidst the beauty of Santa Maria island. Show more
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Categories
Hostel with Parking
This hostel offers free self parking. It is located in the historical district. The hostel is near Vila do Porto Marina.
Hostel near The Beach
Hostel with Swimming Pool
Outdoor Pool
Accessible Hostel
Small Hostel
Hostel with Outdoor Pool
Room Types
Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory RoomOverlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this room includes individual lockers.
Twin Room with Private BathroomOverlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this private room includes individual lockers.
Twin Room with Shared BathroomThe twin room features air conditioning, parquet floors, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 2 beds.
Triple Room with Private BathroomThe triple room features air conditioning and parquet floors, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 3 beds.
Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory features a seating area.
Basic Triple Room with Shared BathroomThe triple room offers air conditioning, parquet floors, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 3 beds.
Bed in 14-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
About Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria
License: 42/2012
Guest Reviews
7.6
Good
Location
Nestled in the charming village by the harbor, Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria boasts an excellent location that continues to impress its visitors. Situated centrally, the hostel is perfect for those looking to explore the island, with easy access to Vila do Porto's center and the port, making it ideal for diving enthusiasts. The former convent offers a beautiful, spacious structure with fantastic views of the Atlantic and the marina, creating an atmospheric backdrop for guests. Its proximity to essential amenities, like supermarkets, pharmacies, and bakeries, adds convenience to the stay.
The hostel is a budget-friendly option for travelers seeking value for money, without compromising on location. Its affordability, combined with the ease of parking, makes it particularly appealing. For those wanting to savor the local dining scene, a short stroll reveals a selection of restaurants, contributing to a well-rounded experience. The pool and spacious rooms contribute to the overall superb standard, ensuring guests enjoy the friendly hospitality offered by the staff. The strategic position near hiking trails and the ocean fort adds to the allure of this vibrant and cozy accommodation.
Breakfast
Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria offers a breakfast experience that guests find to be a mix of simplicity and adequacy. While some highlight the variety and substantial nature of their morning meals, describing them as very good, filling, and abundant, others note the breakfast's basic and limited nature. Many agree that for the budget-friendly accommodation, a simple breakfast with essentials such as cheese, ham, butter, bread, toast, and morning drinks is already a luxury. Still, there is a shared sentiment that the breakfast could benefit from a bit more variety, with suggestions for items like yogurt, eggs, and seasonal fruits, which are often missing. Despite some mixed experiences, guests generally find the breakfast to be an acceptable start to their day, aligning with the expectations of a youth hostel stay.
Rooms
Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria offers a straightforward and functional stay, with rooms varying in size and amenities. Many guests appreciated the spaciousness and cleanliness of the rooms, particularly those with sea views and private bathrooms. The hostel maintains a pleasant atmosphere with large common areas, ensuring a comfortable experience for travelers. The inclusion of air conditioning in some rooms and the availability of local products for breakfast add to the overall convenience. However, some rooms can be noisy due to street proximity, and the lack of curtains in dormitory beds and limited room equipment were noted as areas for improvement. Comfort levels of beds and mattresses received mixed reviews, with concerns about heat and ventilation in certain rooms. Despite these issues, the hostel's cleanliness, room size, and the option to purchase a second breakfast make it a suitable choice for those visiting Santa Maria.
Beds
The reviews for Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria highlight significant concerns with the beds and mattresses, reflecting a general consensus that they are outdated and in need of replacement. Several guests experienced discomfort due to prominent springs and overly soft mattresses, with numerous accounts of disturbing sleep caused by these issues. Despite a few mentions of comfortable beds, the predominant feedback indicates a lack of adequate support and overall dissatisfaction with the bedding setup. This is occasionally mitigated by the hostel's appealing inclusions such as breakfast offerings and reliable internet connectivity, which contribute positively to the overall stay. However, the need for improvement in the bedding department stands out strongly among guest experiences.
Cleanliness
Nestled in the heart of Santa Maria, Azores Youth Hostels offers a welcoming stay with impressive cleanliness throughout the premises, balancing affordability and comfort. Guests can enjoy a refreshing dip in the well-maintained pool or relax in spacious living areas that are consistently clean and organized, providing a pleasant communal experience. Rooms tend to be functional and kept clean, offering a comfortable environment for travelers. Regular maintenance ensures the facilities are well-cared for, contributing to a notably clean and quiet atmosphere. Though there are some challenges with bathroom hygiene that could be addressed, the hostel remains a tidy and inviting base for exploring the island. Positive updates in common areas reflect a commitment to improvement, enhancing the overall guest experience. With excellent internet connectivity and the hostel’s central location, it's a convenient option for visitors seeking good value and a welcoming ambiance.
Staff
The guest reviews for Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria highlight a predominantly positive experience with the staff, emphasizing their friendliness and helpfulness. Several reviewers specifically mentioned the extraordinary friendliness and competence of the staff, noting their attentiveness and willingness to go above and beyond to assist guests. The reception staff, in particular, received praise for their super-friendly and kind demeanor, contributing to a smooth check-in process and providing valuable advice to visitors.
While the majority of feedback underscores the team's dedication and positive attitude, a few comments pointed to some instances of unhelpfulness and a lack of attendance at reception, indicating occasional inconsistency in service. However, the overall impression from the reviews reflects a welcoming atmosphere with a staff that strives to make guests feel comfortable and supported during their stay.
Wi-Fi
Guests at Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria have shared mixed experiences regarding the Wi-Fi service. While some areas of the hostel provide good internet access, others face challenges with connectivity. The Wi-Fi signal often does not reach the rooms effectively, and issues with mobile reception further limit connectivity inside the building. However, guests can rely on the common areas like the living room, where the internet generally works fine. Despite occasional weaknesses in the Wi-Fi signal and its unreliability in certain spots, the hostel provides an internet connection that meets basic browsing needs in select areas.
Pool
The pool at Azores Youth Hostels in Santa Maria receives high praise from guests for its appealing features and relaxing environment. Many visitors highlight the pool as a significant asset, often describing it as beautiful, spectacular, and a stunning place to unwind. The pool area is highly appreciated for offering a serene atmosphere where guests can swim, refresh, or enjoy the lovely view of the surrounding landscape. An infinity pool feature adds a touch of luxury, complemented by nice lounging areas and a terrace that enhances the overall experience. Although there have been occasional issues with maintenance and availability, the pool is often well-received, with guests noting its cleanliness and the enjoyment of having it mostly to themselves. The friendly staff and overall charm of the pool environment contribute positively to the guests' stay at the hostel.
Parking
Guests visiting Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria consistently appreciate the convenience of parking arrangements. The hostel boasts a large parking lot situated directly in front, offering ample parking spaces for visitors. The parking is not only plentiful but also strategically located, making it easy for guests to access nearby attractions. Free parking options are available right across the street, enhancing the overall experience. With such accessible parking facilities, travelers can enjoy their stay without worrying about vehicle arrangements. This added convenience, coupled with the hostel's great location, contributes to a perfect experience for many guests.
Outdoor Pool
Nestled on the scenic island of Santa Maria, Azores Youth Hostels features a charming outdoor pool that consistently draws admiration from guests. The pool area is often described as very pleasant and a lovely addition to the hostel's amenities. Boasting a beautiful view, the pool delivers a tranquil setting that invites relaxation, enhancing the overall experience for visitors. Several guests have also remarked on its aesthetic appeal, noting its inviting appearance in online imagery.
Despite some instances when the pool was out of order, guest sentiments remain largely positive, with many highlighting its role as a nice extra to the hostel's offerings. The welcoming ambiance created by the kind staff and improvements in common areas adds to the enjoyment of the poolside experience. Further, the terrace is appreciated for offering a nice spot to unwind, linking seamlessly with the pool’s relaxing vibe.
Overall, the freely accessible pool in the complex has earned its place as a remarkable feature of Azores Youth Hostels, Santa Maria, serving as a peaceful oasis amidst the island's natural allure.
Yes, Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria.
No, Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria.
No, Azores Youth Hostels - Santa Maria doesn't have a gym.