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Reviews of Helena Hostel

3-117 Carrera 16, 760044 Cali, Colombia

#11 of 187 hotels in Cali

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 29 hostel reviews

9.5

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.6

  • Comfort

    9.4

  • Location

    9.6

  • Facilities

    9.2

  • Staff

    9.8

  • Value for money

    9.9

  • Free WiFi

    9.5

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 28 April 2025

    8.0
    I believe for a hostel, it was clean and the price was very fair.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    The bed was hard and you needed to share the bathroom.

    I thought the price was very good and the owner quite attentive.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 25 November 2024

    10
    Excellent and value for money
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 8 nights

    Nothing

    The hospitality of the staff

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: 30 October 2024

    10
    Excellente
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very good location in front of the Loma de la Cruz. They treat you like family and also it has a nice rooftop deck. Very clean and well kept.

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: 3 October 2024

    10
    Extremely caring host. Such a nice person!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Sometimes the rooms didn’t had that much light… BUT the price was great, so you truly got the best value for the amount of money you spent.

    Very caring and protective host. Great location and very affordable single bed room. I became sick and the host took very well care of me. That was such an amazing experience. Thanks again!

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 26 August 2024

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There are no lockers or rooms that can be locked. Fortunately there weren't many people around and entry to the hostel is well controlled but for peace of mind lockers would be good.

    Alejandro was the perfect host. He was very friendly and made sure to always speak slowly and clearly so that he could be better understood (I speak a bit of Spanish but far from fluent). He also brought me coffee and some bread in the mornings. The highlight of my stay at this hostel. The rooms were big and the toilet/shower were clean. And the area with hammocks was nice and cool, very good in the Cali heat. Would recommend this hostel to anyone looking to unwind and relax after partying in Cali

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 25 February 2024

    10
    Perfect location, hot shower and wonderful host.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    I wish the property had a locker for my belongings but I didn’t have any issues with security.

    Helena is wonderful she even took my laundry to her house to wash it for me. She also has a super hot shower and great water pressure that I loved!

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 23 January 2024

    10
    Recommend this hostel 100%!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    I spent a whole week in Cali in Helena Hostel at the end of december 2023. Helena, the owner of the hostel is super nice, very helpfull and always want to share coffee. The hostel is very very clean and there is lot s of space so that everyone feels like home. During my 5 month travel in South America, Helena hostel was my favorite!! Furtheremore the location is perfect and very close to the salsa class. Go in there you will definitely not regret it!

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 11 January 2024

    8.0
    Good deal for basic travelers with a good location
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    No towels or fans and keeping the windows closed.

    Very clean, had hot water for showers and I enjoyed the hammock.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 4 January 2024

    10
    Elena is the best
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Everything was wonderful.

    Elena is a wonderful host who treats her guests like family. She invited me to share a New Year's dinner with her family. Her place is safe, super clean and very comfortable. She is attentive and helpful. This hostel is a no-brainer for any foreigner visiting Cali. The location is wonderful, right beside an artist community and close to stores and restaurants.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 28 December 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There was a slight difference between the value issued in Booking and the payment at the hostel, but no big deal.

    The owner's friendliness and her willingness to solve an issue with the reservation.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 12 November 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 7 nights

    Nothing.

    Elena the owner is amazing. She is not nice and great to be around becuase of "customer service", although of course she delivers this exceptionally. She is just in fact a genuinly great person that also loves nice interaccións and to meet good people too. Personally, the things I look for most when travelling is to connect with local people and so by staying here this is the thing that I have most liked. The Location is excellent for learning to salsa and if you treat Elena and her home with respect, you are treated with the same and it becomes your home too.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 29 March 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Noisy if people is talking in the hall

    Helena and the staff are super kind and helpful. Very well located

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 20 March 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    There's no sign indicating the hostel. However, if you're arriving during the day it's not a problem because Helena's husband sells sandals across the hostel, so he will probably notice your arrival.

    They had the fastest wifi I may have ever had on my travels. The place is also super clean and the location is perfect with lots of restaurants around and centrally located to explore Cali.

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 7 March 2023

    10
    Super clean and nice hostel in a great location
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    excellent location, beautiful hostel and with a nice terrace with a view.

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 14 February 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Helena Hostel is very confortable and clean. It's a very spacious and calm place. Helena is very welcoming and carrying !

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: 9 February 2023

    9.0
    It's really a nice hostel
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Shower was cold! use of the kitchen was not really allowed!

    Good Location, very nice and friendly host, super clean, spacious rooms. all amazing

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 15 December 2022

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Helena Hostel is the best hostel in Cali! It's in a perfect position, close to the famous neighborhood S.Antonio, the best salsa club Topa Tolondra and right in the popular park Loma De La Cruz where you can experience local music, dance and culture during the many events that te park offers. The owner of the hostel, Helena, is an incredibly kind person always happy to help and also a great cook (you should try her breakfast or lunch if you'd have the chance). The building has been recently restructured and is very clean. It has a very nice terrace with a nice view! The rooms are comfortable! I recommend this hostel for your stay in Cali!!!

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 10 December 2022

    9.0
    Amazing hostel, great location
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Can be a bit noisy in dorm on weekends, privates are on other side, quiet. Only cold water but Helena made a huge bucket of hot water so I could wash my long hair at night 🥰

    The cleanest hostel I have seen in South America. Super safe area, close to shops, bars & restaurants. No bunk beds! Lots of space between beds. Helena is a wonderful woman who makes you feel part of the family. Righ next door to the amazing indigenous dance on Thursdays and 3 min walk to the best salsa club in Cali TOPA TOLONDRA. No taxi needed unless you want to go to the center at night.

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 23 July 2023

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    -It is quite loud at night -Feels like the owner should trust guests enough to give them keys to access the property at night. Right now, what we have to do is ring the loud bell which can wake the entire hostel up.

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: 25 April 2023

    7.0
    Good hostel in Cali
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Dorm room was a bit noisy from outdoors.

    Location was good. Friendly owners

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 5 January 2023

    3.0
    Don't stay there.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 6 nights

    So the person at the reception is not the person who answers messages. I wasn't given a bed on my first night and had to sleep in the sofa of the common area (I didnt sleep). It wasn't professional at all, I arrived at night and went to a concert. I had friends in the city I could have stayed with but the lady preferred not to say she didn't have any beds until I arrived at 4 AM. The shower is not even cold, is RIVER cold. Most of the people staying there were complaining about it. It literally gave us headaches. I paid for a six bed room but in reality is three rooms separated by just a curtain. There is no ventilation in these three rooms. Not a window to open, no AC, and not even a fan. She never refunded me for the night I had to sleep in the sofa. She was rude to other guests when it came to payment. Also if you stay there and you arrive late you can only get in by ringing the bell, and that's REALLY ANNOYING. Everyone I met in that hostel, switched after a few days.

    Loved the location of the hostel. For the feria you had the live music right there. The hostel was super clean.

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 2 January 2023

    4.0
    more of a homestay than a hostel
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 6 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    no hot water and very noisy

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 31 December 2022

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    the hostel is poorly soundproofed with thin walls - you hear everything from people talking to the noise of the bathrooms. also, there are not enough bathrooms and it has only ice cold water - (Helena heats up water in a kettle when asked). to enter the hostel at night people have to ring the bell which is heard in the whole hostel and kept me from sleeping through.

    the hostel is located in a nice neighbourhood with bars and restaurant close by and you can explore the city on foot. Helena is a lovely host and keeps the place super clean.

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 27 December 2022

    5.0
    Passable
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The owner is very helpful but is not the type to run a hostel. It is very clean but you are not allowed to do anything because you might make it dirty. You have to ask permission to do anything like use the kitchen or the fridge. The fridges are full of her own food as if she is prepaired for WW3 so there is hardly any space for guests. As soon as she hears you using the kitchen she comes running at you to see what you are doing and then gives you a speech on dishes and trash. She means well, but it is very uncomfortable. I wanted to cook Christmas dinner for everyone but ended up afraid to use the kitchen. On Christmas eve we were having a toast with all 5 guests in the hostel but the owner sent us away because we were not allowed to drink in the hostel or make any noise (we were just talking, it was 8pm and there was litterally no one else in the hostel). Also online you can book a room with 6 dorm beds but there is only 1 dormroom and it has 11 beds. The hostel is very overpriced for what you get. I would pay €6 not €10. In other hostels you get a swimming pool for this price, here you get cold showers and a lady who is stricter than my mum.

    No bunkbeds, nice hammocks

    Stayed in December 2022

Showing 1 – 25

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