Lodging Review: Portal del Sur, Buenos Aires
After posting about Taksiyarhis Pensiyon in Ayvalik, Turkey, I realized that I haven't really posted other reviews of my accomodation. I'll be posting about my previous lodging experiences from time to time, hoping I can be of some help to others planning trips.
In Buenos Aires, I stayed at Portal del Sur hostel. So far, it's the only hostel I've stayed at in my trip, because my priorities are in order, 1) safety/security, 2) location, with the last two being the qualities that hostels deliver on the best, 3) ability to meet other travelers and 4) price. I guess Portal del Sur sort of spoiled me as far as hostels go, meeting all of my requirements.
It's located in the Monserrat neighborhood of Buenos Aires, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. It doesn't have the cozy feeling of the other hostel centers in San Telmo or Palermo, but it's packed with traditional restaurants and walking distance to just about every metro line and key tourist sites.
I felt pretty safe in this neighborhood, since there were always people out and about. The hostel also has a locked front door where you have to buzz in. The rooms have locks on them, and the hostel provides everyone with full wardrobe height lockers, with a rod and a few hangers in them. So I could put my backpack in the locker and hang up a few items at the same time. No towels are provided, but they do change the linens daily.
Breakfast is included in the $14/night rate (the rate is for the 4-person, ensuite rooms). I did get tired of all of that bread and dulce de leche after a few days, but still a pretty good breakfast. Also, the breakfast hours are 9-11am, so very reasonable hours for people who like to sleep in, like me.
The atmosphere is pretty social, but it's not a party hostel. People hang out at the bar on the roof (where you have breakfast too), and also hang out in the central area where the rooms open onto. So it's easy to meet other people, but you don't feel pressured to go out in big groups and/or party.
