Barbara's Boutique Hostel

K

KP

5/5Google· 3 months ago

I don’t usually stay in hostels but decided to give it a go this time because I was travelling solo. I did a lot of research into finding a quiet, grown up, clean hostel, and Barbara’s did not disappoint. I stayed one night in a 4-bed female dorm and one night in a private room, and both were excellent. Each room was clean and well-equipped. I appreciated that the hostel provided shampoo/soap etc in the bathrooms. The common areas are also very well maintained, including the kitchen which was super well equipped. The breakfast served was fresh and plentiful, and the stuff were all very friendly and helpful. I strongly recommend Barbara’s to anyone looking for a place to stay in Antigua.

PC

Paddy Clarke

5/5Google· 3 months ago

I’ve stayed in many hostels and it’s rare to find somewhere that does everything right! I had an incredible stay here at Barbara’s Boutique Hostel - it’s a relaxed and quiet hostel, certainly not a party hostel. Location wise is perfect, a short walk from anything you’d need or want to see here in Antigua. The facilities are incredible and are meticulously cleaned and maintained throughout the day by the friendly and helpful staff - front desk is manned 24/7 which is great for security purposes and late arrivals. Beautifully maintained common areas with numerous places to sit, chat and eat including a rooftop terrace with yoga mats and kettlebells for use. The kitchen is fully stocked with herbs, spices, oils and all the equipment plus more for self catering. Breakfast is included each morning, buffet style - eggs, beans, toasts, cereals, spreads, fruits. Tea, coffee and cake are also available all day everyday. The dorms all have big lockers (byo lock), privacy curtains, bed lamp, outlet as well as a fan. Bathrooms are clean, great shower pressure with shampoo, conditioner and body wash available.

A

A-Alvaro01

1/5Tripadvisor· 3 months ago

DO NOT STAY HERE. |The managers of the hostel are extremely rude, unhelpful, impolite, and disrespectful. I booked a bed in a four-bed dormitory. Upon arrival, there was only one other guest in the room, who informed me that he had been suffering for the previous 48 hours from severe vomiting, diarrhoea, and a persistent cough. He also explained that another guest had checked into the same room the day before but requested to move after learning about his condition. Concerned about the obvious risk of becoming ill, I immediately went to reception and asked if I could be moved to another room. I was told the hostel was fully booked. I then requested a refund so I could find alternative accommodation, but this was refused. I tried to explain that they should not have made that room available online when they knew someone was violently ill inside of it. They had already dealt with another guest requesting a room change because of the sick occupant, yet they continued to offer beds in that room without any warning. In my view, they should have temporarily removed the room from availability or found a more appropriate solution. Rather than acknowledging my concerns at all or showing any empathy, the staff were thoroughly dismissive and insisted the situation was neither their responsibility nor their fault. Their response demonstrated a complete lack of professionalism and huge concern for guest welfare. To make matters worse, they then had the audacity to ask a guest who was about to check in whether she would be willing to switch rooms and stay with the visibly ill guest. Unsurprisingly, she declined, reinforcing that my concerns were entirely reasonable. Ultimately, I chose to leave, forfeiting the cost of my booking, and found accommodation elsewhere. Beyond this incident, it’s also worth noting that the rooms do not have air conditioning—only tiny fans above each bed, which are inadequate in warm weather. They also leave all of the windows open, so the room was full of mosquitoes. Overall, this was one of the most disappointing hostel experiences I have had due to the complete lack of professionalism, empathy, and basic consideration for guests’ health. They have also cancelled my booking on hostelworld so I couldn’t leave this review. Disgusting behaviour.

PM

Pari Michalopoulos

5/5Google· 5 months ago

Had a great stay! The hostel is incredibly clean. We stayed in a private room with an en suite bathroom. The staff are constantly cleaning the kitchen and all common spaces. The decor is lovely. The rooftop with weights/gym equipment was a bonus. Coffee served all day. Lovely breakfast spread. The couches are seated in multiple areas so you can enjoy the outside air in comfort.

SI

Sherri Irvin

5/5Google· 8 months ago

What a great place! We had a private room with a queen bed and en suite bathroom. The room and the whole place were just beautiful, with lots of lovely places to sit including a nice rooftop with a bit of workout equipment (yoga mats and a few kettlebells and dumbbells). Nice breakfast and community vibe. Good service from the staff. Great location. I'd stay again in a heartbeat.

J

Jesse

5/5Google· 8 months ago

One of the best hostels I have stayed in. I spent two nights in a four bed dorm after hiking Volcán Fuego and it was a perfect place to rest. The facilities are excellent. The dorm has a private bathroom with proper wet and dry separation, the kitchen is fully equipped and even suitable for baking, and the hostel provides free breakfast plus 24 hour hot coffee and drinking water. The location is quiet and relaxed, not a party hostel, with a nice courtyard and a second floor terrace offering volcano views. I have stayed in many hostels that do some of these things well, but it is rare to find one that does everything right. I would happily stay here again.

QH

Quentin Hubert

5/5Google· 5 months ago

Such a good service. I was a very difficult guess (lost some things, asked for unusual services) and they fully took care of it, being very very proactive and so nice. Everyone's smiling there which makes you willing to smile. The place is also beautiful, the guests are all very nice.

AD

Ari Delouya

5/5Google· 8 months ago

Best hotel ever! Perfect walkable location - super safe. Beautiful grounds, so many outdoor/indoor spots to hang out. Pretty rooms, helpful and kind staff. I loved my stay here and would book again with no hesitation.