Reviews of Reina Madre Hostel

jeff gillis

Best hostel I ever stayed in. You'll agree or you can come couch surf at my place in California for free =) Just a great experience at the Reina Madre. You won't regret this choice. Spacious, clean, inexpensive, laid back but super fun, located in a great neighborhood. I used to be a huge house with tons of light, high ceilings and lots of rooms and floors. If you can get a spot here, do it - it's less expensive than the larger hostels in BA, and less crowded and better in every way. It's also new, so getting a spot shouldn't be too difficult. I think it's been around for about a year. I traveled in South America for 3 months, staying in hostels all over Argentina and Brazil. There were some great hostels for sure, but the Reina Madre took top prize for it's combination of hospitality, fun, gorgeous interior, location, and cleanliness - and all around fun and friendly vibe. Staying there actually made my trip, mostly because of the family of 3 siblings who run the place - the Camanos - who just basically love people which makes for good hostel owners =) If I chose to hang in the hostel, I basically didn't stop laughing at them. Early 20s to early 30s, Veronica, Lucas and Julieta Camano - I felt like a member of their family after the first few days, and ended up staying a month. Lucas, late 20s, runs the place for the most part, and is constantly trying to make your stay better, whether its laying out the best coffee and croissants in the city every morning, answering questions on where to go out or helping you get Boca Jr.s tickets or kicking your ass at Playstation Soccer (excuse me, futball). The best part are the weekly Asados - Argentinian BBQs. He's a BBQer without equal, and the nights of the BBQs are a blast, and delicious. At the same time, it can be a tranquil hostel since there are only 10 rooms and a lot of space, where you can relax and engage as much as you want. The hostel is huge but you can disappear into a nook and do some quiet reading or internet, or chill in the common room or on the balcony overlooking a tree lined street in Barrio Norte. Steer clear of the large hostels in BA and check out the Reina Madre if you want a cooler experience and meet other travelers and the Camanos. I feel lucky to have stayed there, and consider them friends, and will be back.