Out Of The Blue

A limpeza dos banheiros, o pequeno almoço, o staff, os passeios, o quarto, os jantares, o jardim

Faltaram ganchos pra pendurar roupa nos banheiros e quarto

Os funcionários são dos mais simpáticos e prestativos que já conheci. Dou uma estrela dourada em especial ao Adrian por ter sido aquele com quem tive maior contato e ter sido espetacular na assistência. As panquecas do café da manhã eram divinais e o especial do dia era bastante saboroso. Havia flores naturais em muitos espaços da propriedade e redes no jardim os quais tornaram a experiência ainda mais agradável. A localização do Hostel é ótima, mesmo no centro histórico da cidade, e a equipa de limpeza é muito eficaz. Além disso, as toalhas e os produtos de higiene proporcionados foram uma surpresa interessante. De modo geral foi perceptível a existência de toda uma estrutura construída para a experiência dos hóspedes. Aprecio o empenho refletido e investido.

Os únicos pontos a serem aperfeiçoados dizem respeito, por um lado, a presença de toalha de mãos na casa de banho assim como uma porta a entrada desta com maior privacidade. Fiquei num dormitório com 5 Camas e Casa de Banho Interna Partilhada e senti falta de ambas. Por outro lado, havia rede de internet apenas nos espaços comuns. Penso que talvez isto seja fruto de uma decisão estratégica do Hostel a fim de que as pessoas possam interagir mais. No entanto, muitas vezes estes espaços estavam cheios ou com muito ruído o que dificultava o trabalho de quem quisesse responder emails ou resolver assuntos importantes ao fim do dia.

Tudo

I have NEVER stayed in a hostel before or even a dorm-style room, and all my expectations (not too many, I assure you) were exceeded. The garden outback is impressively set out with various fruits and herbs growing, and is relaxingly serene to escape what little hustle and bustle there is outside. Every single communal space is thoughtfully decorated and preserves the feel of the original building. The location was very convenient and within walking distance of the excellent A Tasca restaurant and seafront piers. There are excursions organised every day to various places of interest/history/iconic points to keep you busy, and after a day of adventure, there is the lovely warm pool. The staff are friendly and very welcoming, when I arrived I was shown to the gorgeous sitting area and offered a drink while my bed was being prepared. That night, I joined the Family Dinner set up in the outside space (the Saturday menu is always a secret, I'm told) which was beautifully prepared by the resident chef...whom I presume also makes the eggs benedict for breakfasts - is this even a hostel??? - whilst I was there. The beds are sooooo comfortable and perfect for my back. The bathrooms were very clean and even more surprisingly...our beds were cleaned every day! There were times when I practically walked barefooted to the bathroom; don't be so shocked, it's THAT clean! I could go on, but even if I did finish this review, guaranteed there will be more thoughts I would want to add! I came for the hostel experience, and while I expected to meet people, I never expected to make friends, not just with the other lodgers but with staff too. THANK YOU Angela, Elisabeth, Lea (think that's the spelling!), Sanda, Magda, Patrick, Shai (I think??), Ilena and the rest of the team, for making Out of the Blue what it is... Hotel California in a sense; you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave...myself and the others I met certainly didn't want to!

As previously mentioned by other reviewers, it is an old building, so creaky floorboards are unavoidable...no surprises there. However, unlike other disgruntled reviewers, I came prepared (very light sleeper here, hello!) with earphones and eye mask. The sleep I had was as good as though I was in my own bed! So please do ignore the other reviews and just come with an open mind.