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La casita de Hamel

Callejon de Hamel calle animas 1062, departamento 2a, 10200 Havana, Cuba Callejon de Hamel calle animas 1062, departamento 2a - Havana, Cuba
+ reviews in all languages
Rafal, Poland - Dec 28, 2018
98%
The hosts are extremely kind and helpful and serving delicious breakfast for very cheap, strongly recommend this place
anonymous, Colombia - Oct 22, 2017
100%
Cheap, comfortable and fun. The best hostel in Havana.
Eunhee, South Korea - Jul 15, 2017
92%
It was very good hostel I could meet other travelers. I stayed in Habana 10 days in this hostel and traveled with other travelers met in this hostel. Magnolia also has a great connection with casas in another cities, you can always have great value of casas once you talk to Magnolia. They're warm hearted, I highly recommend to stay here
anonymous, Germany - Mar 19, 2017
90%
Great hosts, super friendly and always ready to help
Ivan, Russia - Nov 24, 2016
96%
One of the very few real hostels in Cuba. Great atmosphere, and much cheaper than "casas particulares". A little bit far from Old Havana.
yousef, Ireland - Nov 07, 2016
100%
Magnolia the mother of Cuba, extremely helpful, cares a lot for her guests and she is loving person. I enjoyed every moment I've spent there, a great place to meet great & amazing people.

P.S. It's good value for money hamel hostel.

DO, Vietnam - Oct 03, 2016
90%
good hostel in cuba
Jose Luis, Spain - Sep 01, 2016
80%
Good and cheap Bed and breakfast six beds/room hostel.

Magnolia and Wilfred are so Great, so lovely

Mark, England - Aug 15, 2016
84%
Hamel Hostel is a very basic place to stay. But you don't go for comfort, you go to meet the other people that are staying at the Hostel.

The backpack community will love this place, you have just enough or the necessities (such as AirConditioning from 9pm-9am) and breakfast is included. It is the people that make this hostel and everyone stayed with the right mind to meet each other.

anonymous, Spain - Aug 07, 2016
72%
The most affordable option in Cuba! I recommend this place if you are in a very low budget. Cuba is an expensive country for solo travelers and backpackers, so this will be your best option to start.

The owners are very kind, but you will need to speak spanish a little because their english is very limited and for that reason you may tend to think they are rude or something. The old man has memory loss and goes really slow. Be patient! ;)

Once you are in the room, the cleanness of the toilets, showers and bed is what you get for 5$ in Cuba. Is far away from the city center also and sometimes that is annoying if you want to head there quickly. The breakfast and all the services are cheap and good.

If you are looking for a clean and centric dorm for you and your couple, head to "Habana Vieja" and pay 25 bucks for a decent room.

I recommend this place but be aware of the downsides.

Camiel, Netherlands - Aug 06, 2016
72%
A nice hostel with enough amenities to make your stay comfortable. It takes a while to walk to Havana Vieja but there are enough other options for transport. Magnolia speaks a little bit english but will do everything to help you out! The breakfast is good and cheap! A really good place for lone travellers, you will meet a lot of new people!
Antonia, Austria - Jun 19, 2016
62%
Maybe I got there at a bad time - who knows? I am not very picky but there were a couple of things:Ants in my bed, disgusting bathroom with no toilet paper after 3pm, they sell water for 2 CUC which is supposed to be frim a store but they filled it themselves (seal was broken). It might have been the water or the bathrooms but I was actually sick when I left... :(

Pro: Nice old staff (but Spanish only)

Chuck, USA - Jun 15, 2016
100%
What a great place to stay! Not only is this place very affordable, but it is located in the heart of La Habana Central. It's around the corner from Callejon de Hamel, which is a cool artistic walk. There is a always a guy outside with cheap fresh fruits where the pineapples are the best. The hostel is clean, Magnolia serves a tasty breakfast for only $1 CUC, and she is very helpful. She doesn't speak much English, but that doesn't stop her from helping you out. I'd stay here again.
anonymous, France - May 21, 2016
76%
The place seems nice, there is a lot of space and the rooms are cleans and showers are new! Only thing is that its farfrom havana vieja. Otherwise the welcoming wasnt very friendly at first but i only spend one night there!
Denis, Russia - May 16, 2016
100%
Very nice!
anonymous, Germany - Mar 24, 2016
90%
Excellent relation price-offer. Magnolia y Wilfredo are very busy to complain you
Zsanett, England - Feb 26, 2016
62%
I stayed here for 4 nights and was quite happy with the place. The dorm I stayed in was specious and bright, with big lockers and the air-con worked well. The roof terrace and common areas are perfect to hang out and socialise or just do your thing. The owners are nice and helpful (they let me use their phone a couple of times) but they'd never check when my friend was asking for me at the door and would just tell him I wasn't in..which I thought was a bit odd. Location is ok - depending on which parts of La Habana you prefer. Overall it's a great place and very good value for money!
anonymous, Spain - Feb 01, 2016
100%
everything perfect.

the best hostel in all my trip in la habana and magnolia is very friendly and helped me a lot.

highly recommended, all the guest say the same.

Sofia Alexandra, Sweden - Jan 13, 2016
100%
I highly recommend Hamel Hostel to anyone going to Havana. The location is great with the University, Hamel's Alley and Malecon around the corner and within walking distance to Havana Vieja and many of the sights in town. Breakfast is optional for 1 CUC. Magnolia and Wilfredo are great hosts and they played a big part in making my trip to Cuba really amazing.

// Sofia, Sweden

Alise, Netherlands - Dec 30, 2015
100%
I spent one month in Hamel Hostel during a medical internship in Havanna and I had a great time there. Magnolia and Wilfredo, the couple that runs the hostel, are very nice and helpful. The location was perfect to me: right between Vedado and Habana Vieja, close to many cheap restaurants. Overall I really appreciated the rooftop terrace, the opportunity to meet many people from different countries and the cheapness of the hostel. You won't find any better place for this price!
anonymous, Russia - Dec 20, 2015
92%
Very nice hostel with a great rooftop. There are cheap eateries around. The hostel is situated 30 minutes from Havana Vieja, 5 minutes from the Malecon, and 10 minutes from the 23-rd street in Vedado, where city WiFi is. Very good value for money.
anonymous, New Zealand - Dec 19, 2015
74%
Nice hostel with a good vibe up stairs..a great place to meet others to travel with. The owners speak little or no english and make no effort to try and communicate..wasnt even sure I was in the right place when I arrived,not even an hello
Aravinth, Germany - Dec 17, 2015
96%
It was first time in a hostel and I really enjoyed it there. The host were both nice and helpful. I will totally recommend that hostel.
anonymous, Italy - Dec 12, 2015
16%
I didn't spent many times there so my review is not the most complete
Lisa, Germany - Aug 19, 2015
96%
Super nice hostel, only about 15 minutes from old Havanna. The couple that runs the hostel is really nice and helpful. A great place to meet people from all over the world ;) definitely recommend this hostel!
anonymous, USA - Aug 04, 2015
100%
The hosts AND the other travelers were so friendly, and we had a great time talking and hanging out on the rooftop patio!
anonymous, Germany - Jul 17, 2015
86%
Friendly, nice hostel. They offer good advice and help you a lot. A bit hard to find and not in the best neighborhood. Quite far from the center. Matrazes are worn out and uncomfortable. For the price it is worth it and the breakfast is cheap and very good!
Dusan, Serbia - Jul 14, 2015
80%
Pros:

- $5 for a night, you can get any cheaper than that!

- Good location: you can reach Old town by foot, although you need to walk like 20 min. But Vedado, Melacon and all its nightlife is just few hundred m away!

- Good for meeting people

Cons:

The Lady is nice, but the old guy have really bed temper, he is specially angry when you come late at night, and you need to wake him up because you are not provided with a entrance key. He also came to ask us to keep the voice down, and it was only few of us on the balcony having normal conversation at 11PM,

-It has only one toilet split on two compartments and somethings you need to wait in line.

OVERALL: Definitively good value for a money,and you can use it if you are at tight budget or want to meet other travelers, but do not expat to much.

Zeljko , Austria - Jul 05, 2015
92%
basic but good value and a good place for people who want to meet other travelers
Adrianna, Poland - Apr 16, 2015
100%
The best hostel in all Havana- the place is clean, very close to the city center and the people there are asolutely crazy-in a good way!
Szymon, Poland - Mar 24, 2015
96%
Real backpakers spot in Havana. Great value for a such small money.

Magnolia and Wilfredo are great! Go for dinner, is cheap and tasty!

Torsten, Germany - Mar 23, 2015
100%
It was realy very nice! Nice people, good relations, good dinner in the hostel, very cheap, great place!
David, Hungary - Mar 17, 2015
82%
Location and price is perfect, the owners help, if you ask for information. The only downside is that rooms can be very crowded and during my 4 nights, I never had warm water which can be pretty bad after going home on a rainy day... But all in all, for that money it is really recommended.
anonymous, Chile - Feb 05, 2015
100%
Excelente ubicación y los dueños del local son un amor, además tienen una red de casas particulares por toda la isla.

Dustin, Canada - Aug 22, 2014
68%
Overall decent for what you pay. Had ants, A/C always cut out early, diner is more then posted and they refuse to correct the price, guy is grumpy. But there all little issues. For Cuba in that area at that price, its gotta be near the beat option.
anonymous, Australia - Aug 21, 2014
50%
Lovely hosts offering water and cheap breakfast. Nice vibe and homely feel. While the price is very cheap - this hostel is a decent 30 min walk from the old town - which gets pretty tiring in the heat - so the taxi fare negates the cheap accommodation! Particularly women travellers who may feel unsafe so far from the old town (you will end up spending a lot on taxis as there is Not much going on here at night.)
anonymous, Switzerland - Jul 22, 2014
94%
We really enjoyed our stay at the Hamel Hostel, especially the contact with other backpackers (which appears rare in Cuba) and the lovely dog and hosts Manolia and her husband. Go there, it's cheap and she will connect you with other places to stay all over Cuba :)
anonymous, Denmark - Jun 07, 2014
84%
If you are backpacker and have low budget and like to meet other travellers, this is the place to go! but you dont get any information about anything in english! just so you know!
Alain, Philippines - May 05, 2014
84%
Less than 10 minutes walk to La Rampa where the locals go for bar hopping.
Hannu, Finland - Apr 18, 2014
96%
Very good price for what you get. Rooms are fairly spacious, there is a roof chill area where you can chat with other guests, you can get breakfast for 1 CUC and huge dinner for 2 CUC as well. The couple who own the place are great and they can help you to arrange casas in other cities as well. Very much recommended!
Max, England - Apr 16, 2014
94%
Great place to meet people (Cuba is expensive to travel alone) location is good (5 mins walk to malecon) and owners are really helpful and friendly. Great value for money!!!
Hsiou, Taiwan - Mar 07, 2014
88%
Hostel Hamel is a great choice for single travellers. Hostess, though not good in English, is so kind and helpful. The position on San Lazaros is also convenient for Vadero and Habana Vieja.
anonymous, Germany - Jan 31, 2014
100%
A great hostel with nice people. It feels like a second home. The dinner is delicios!
Kamila, Poland - Jan 25, 2014
98%
Hamel hostel is a very family place with owners who takes care of you like partents. If you need any tips during your trip they will advise you, book taxi or place in another town.

Hostel is very cheap, breakfasts and dinners too, dinner is very delicious and costs only 2$. Hostel is not that far from havana vieja, very close to malecon, it is simply recommended! It is better if you are spanish speaker but it is easier in all places in Cuba to communicate in spanish that in english!

Istanan, Wales - Jan 02, 2014
92%
This is a really good clean, cheap hostel, but the owners are getting on abit, they don't give you a key to get in, on a night, so you have to ring the door bell, to get in, which i think annoys them, one warning is when there is a power cut. the bell does not work, so good luck getting in. i was there for three day and it was fine for that. the breafast was basic, a omlette, fresh fruit, a small espresso, a large glass of fruit juice and some crusty bread, however for this prize 1 cuc. you can't complaint. If your on a really tight budget, then this is ideal. would stay again.
Lisa chihiro, Netherlands - Dec 27, 2013
96%
Unique! In a city of so much tourist scamming this place is heaven! Kindness, nice travelers, very helpful! Magnolia and wilfredo also offer nice breakfast for 1 cuc and 2 cuc for dinner (vegetarian if you request it). If you want to party all night get a hotel. You are sleeping in their house and they have to open the door each time a guest comes home.
anonymous, Australia - Dec 21, 2013
98%
Great location, close to 23rd street which is full of restaurants and bars. A 20-30min walk to Havana Vieja along the Malecon which is nice. Very clean, great food and lovely people :)
anonymous, Norway - Dec 10, 2013
96%
The couple who runs this place is just amazing. They helped me and my friend to make a plan for our whole week in cuba. We did not even have to make a single reservation, they arranged it all, and without any extra costs.

Other than that the atmosphere at the hostel was great. We really had a good time! It is not for no reason they are often fully booked..

The food is good, the

Marjolein, Netherlands - Dec 03, 2013
94%
Awesome to meet up with other travellers! They have great recommendations for other good and cheap casas throughout Cuba! Highly recommended!
Damian, England - Nov 01, 2013
96%
Great way to meet other travellers and a more interesting place from which to explore the city than the central plaza. Nice couple, interesting location and a nice atmosphere the only downside is there is nothing to cook on/ with. All round a good base at an excellent price :)