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Hostal El Refugio
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About
4.5
#11 of 63 hostels in PuconLocation
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Hostal el Refugio is proud to be "our pick" in the latest Lonely Planet for both South America on a Shoestring and Chile guides. Hostal el Refugio is a warm and friendly hostel, run by a Dutch-Chilean couple, and a great place to meet other travelers. The hostel is designed as a mountain hut and thanks to the inviting communal areas it is the perfect place to rest and recharge after a day of outdoor activities in the area. Both the owners and staff (experienced travelers) know Pucon and its environments thoroughly, and are happy to share this information and make personal recommendations. They are waiting to make your stay in Pucon unforgettable. Hostal el Refugio es mucho mas than just a place to sleep!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Room features
Kitchenette
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Quirky Hotels
Languages Spoken
Italian, Portuguese
Location
Palguin 540, Pucon 4920 Chile
Name/address in local language
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 96 out of 100
96
Temuco Airport
70.5 km•
See all flights
Car Hire
144 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
125Reviews1Q+A19Room tips
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
Loved this place! I love to be able to sit by a fire and relax in hammock after a long hike up a volcano. The common area is cozy and a great way to meet people. All the workers there are really chill and helpful. I slept out back in a 6 person tent.... and although it was cold getting into bed at night.... I loved it! I love curling up in a bunch of blankets and falling asleep. I wish I could have stayed longer!
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Date of stay: May 2012Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
They give SO much info on check in that you can't help but stay longer! There is a great vibe, two kitchens, quiet at night, very friendly and helpful staff, four bathrooms. Really enjoyed being there, it feels very comfortable.
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Date of stay: March 2016Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a fantastic time at this hostel: the staff are super lovely and we met some great people staying there, too. The showers are hot (the top bathroom is particularly roomy), the kitchens (two!) are good and the lounge area is cosy with a fireplace and comfy seating. House dog and cat are cute also!
We stayed in the dome, where the beds were large and comfy. We also stayed in a private room, which was very nice, the only negative point being that the mattress was very uncomfortable (I laid an extra blanket down so we couldn't feel the springs).
We stayed in the dome, where the beds were large and comfy. We also stayed in a private room, which was very nice, the only negative point being that the mattress was very uncomfortable (I laid an extra blanket down so we couldn't feel the springs).
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Date of stay: November 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What can I say? Chile is my seventh country, and in each country i´ve probably stayed in at least 3 hostels, and El Refugio is by far the best. The layout of the hostel is great, as it means that when you walk in from a day of activities, you walk straight in to the lovely lounge, which is all handmade pictures, beautiful hats and nick naks made by Heidi, and a couple of fires (which Heidi, Santi and Jaime always keep roaring). The dorms are cosy and practical, with a shared bedside stand, and a large locker to store your luggage. The Kitchen is very well equipped, and is kept clean, which made cooking really appealing. Negra the dog has to be one of the friendliest creatures i´ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, and pipsqueak the kitten was amazing, but alas I fear she may have moved back in with the family by now.
There are loads of activities which are good value for money, and arranged by the hostel. This makes doing fun stuff really easy, as you can check what the weather is looking like, decide what you fancy doing, and get it sorted. I recommend the horseback riding and the hot springs. I also tried to do hidrospeeding, but I was pretty awful, and had to be picked up by a raft! But there is loads in Pucon to suit every taste. From the high octane adrenalin junkies, to the lazies ( i´m most definitely lazy!).
I was meant to stay in Pucon for 5 days, but ended up staying 10, as as well as the hostel being beautiful, I really didn´t want to leave Heidi, Santi and Jaime (the guys running the hostel), as they felt more like friends. I really don´t see what they could do to improve the place, as its such a wonderful setting for meeting people, chatting over a glass of wine and embarking on some adventures. Thanks guys for such a great experience.
There are loads of activities which are good value for money, and arranged by the hostel. This makes doing fun stuff really easy, as you can check what the weather is looking like, decide what you fancy doing, and get it sorted. I recommend the horseback riding and the hot springs. I also tried to do hidrospeeding, but I was pretty awful, and had to be picked up by a raft! But there is loads in Pucon to suit every taste. From the high octane adrenalin junkies, to the lazies ( i´m most definitely lazy!).
I was meant to stay in Pucon for 5 days, but ended up staying 10, as as well as the hostel being beautiful, I really didn´t want to leave Heidi, Santi and Jaime (the guys running the hostel), as they felt more like friends. I really don´t see what they could do to improve the place, as its such a wonderful setting for meeting people, chatting over a glass of wine and embarking on some adventures. Thanks guys for such a great experience.
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Date of stay: August 2014Trip type: Travelled solo
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lovely staff that were helpful with activities around the area. The hostel was really noisy at night which was terrible for sleeping, the kitchen and hostel in general was really dirty. There we so many people crammed into the hostel with domes turned into dormes out the back and dorms inside that it felt over run with bodies. I think thee would be better places to stay in pucon.
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Date of stay: February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
For beginning, the price is very high and doesn't includes breakfast. The activities the hostel offers are more expensive than any tours agency in pucon. In addion, when i checked in to the hostel it turned out they put 6 people in 4 beds dorm. Moreover, i was signed to stay for another night after i've been told there is a place for me. I set a trip to the villarica for the next day so i knew i will need a shower and a rest after that. However, the evening before i've been told that they didn't noticed the bookings from the internet so there is no place to me for the next day. So after the track i had to move to another hostel. In conclution, i had a aggravation from the hostel and it doesn't worth the money.
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Date of stay: January 2014Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorry to be a party pooper for a hostel which normally gets rave reviews but.... this hostel has a lot going for it although it was sometimes a bit of a stressful experience because of the following:
- not enough bathrooms - bit annoying having people trying to get in every 2 minutes when you are trying to have a shower in peace
- cold tap in the downstairs bathroom either runs really strong or doesn't work at all - which means you either have a boiling hot or cold shower (maintenance point)
- Negra, the dog, is lovely although barks in the middle of the night at strays in the street and wakes everyone up
- kitchen is too small and a bit claustrophobic - everywhere you turn there is someone in your face!
- Internet doesn't work on the phone a lot of the time - the girl who works here told me that it is because we are in Pucon although, having done the typical tourist stops in Patagonia, the standard of connection in other hostels has generally been superior (bar El Chalten, but there are no optical cables there and they only have satellite, which is understandable)
- some of the plug sockets in the bedrooms need fixing (maintenance point)
Appreciate that this is part of the hosteling experience however for some reason here it feels a bit extreme
On the other hand, there are a lot of pluses:
- friendly, knowledgable staff
- lots of information on activities
- the common area and the rooms are nicely designed and set out - love the hammock
- lots of nice small touches in the common areas such as the cooking recipe board in the kitchen and the photos of people around South America strewn around
- not enough bathrooms - bit annoying having people trying to get in every 2 minutes when you are trying to have a shower in peace
- cold tap in the downstairs bathroom either runs really strong or doesn't work at all - which means you either have a boiling hot or cold shower (maintenance point)
- Negra, the dog, is lovely although barks in the middle of the night at strays in the street and wakes everyone up
- kitchen is too small and a bit claustrophobic - everywhere you turn there is someone in your face!
- Internet doesn't work on the phone a lot of the time - the girl who works here told me that it is because we are in Pucon although, having done the typical tourist stops in Patagonia, the standard of connection in other hostels has generally been superior (bar El Chalten, but there are no optical cables there and they only have satellite, which is understandable)
- some of the plug sockets in the bedrooms need fixing (maintenance point)
Appreciate that this is part of the hosteling experience however for some reason here it feels a bit extreme
On the other hand, there are a lot of pluses:
- friendly, knowledgable staff
- lots of information on activities
- the common area and the rooms are nicely designed and set out - love the hammock
- lots of nice small touches in the common areas such as the cooking recipe board in the kitchen and the photos of people around South America strewn around
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Date of stay: March 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Its like staying in a lodge with your mates. Cosy and clean, hot water in the showers and wifi not a problem.
The staff are super friendly and eager to help you make the most of your stay by recommending activities, things top see and do in town, where you can buy cheap groceries and the best restaurants and bars.
Located right next to the bus terminals and a short walk from the main drag, there{s nothing more you could want.
I was there for new years and we had a big bbq and then went out to join the festivities in town.
If you stay elsewhere in Pucon youñre missing out :)
The staff are super friendly and eager to help you make the most of your stay by recommending activities, things top see and do in town, where you can buy cheap groceries and the best restaurants and bars.
Located right next to the bus terminals and a short walk from the main drag, there{s nothing more you could want.
I was there for new years and we had a big bbq and then went out to join the festivities in town.
If you stay elsewhere in Pucon youñre missing out :)
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Date of stay: December 2012Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: The domes are reaññy hot once the sun comes up
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The moment you walk in you feel at home, the dog Emma just completed the homely atmosphere. On of the best things is the fabulously cooked Chilean style bbqs where everybody contributes some money who wants to and drinks and plenty of meat are bought for all :)
The best hostel I have ever stayed at.
There's a kitchen and a communal fridge too!
The best hostel I have ever stayed at.
There's a kitchen and a communal fridge too!
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Date of stay: July 2012
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
One of the best hostels in our 8 months journey & a really great atmosphere! We stayed here for one week with newyear, did some bbq with the people and watched the fireworks at the lake, really cool! They also organized the trip to the volcano, a must :)
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Date of stay: December 2011Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HostalRefugio, Manager at Hostal El Refugio
Responded 9 Sept 2012
Thanks for your feedback! Its much appreciated and Im glad you enjoyed your stay with us.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
"Try the yurts out back for a cheaper bed, they have their own covered kitchen and bathroom."Read full review
"There are yurt like tents out back which are cheap and really nice and comfortable"Read full review
"Even that it is a dorm for 8 persons it's really big, I stayed in the 4 bed dorm and in the 8 bed dorm. I prefer the 8 bed dorm."Read full review
"The dome tent is the best value. I stayed there for 4 nights and loved it. Be sure to bring earplugs because early mornings with guests can leave you grumbling. I also recommend bringing a flashlight for the evening and an eye mask to block the morning sun from waking you to0 early."Read full review
LOCATION
ChileAraucania RegionPucon
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hostal El Refugio
Which popular attractions are close to Hostal El Refugio?
Nearby attractions include Chocolates Rucamalal (0.4 km), Los Alamos Pucon (0.4 km), and Spezialitäten (0.2 km).
What are some restaurants close to Hostal El Refugio?
Conveniently located restaurants include Puerto Pucón, La Trattoria da Pietro, and Andiamo - Cucina Italiana.
Is Hostal El Refugio located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.2 km away from the centre of Pucon.
Are pets allowed at Hostal El Refugio?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Hostal El Refugio?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including Italian and Portuguese.
Is Hostal El Refugio accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.