Once upon a time we arrived in front of a misterious blue door with a silver snail on it. There was no name written on the door but instead we realised a frightening barking from the inside (The monster turned out to be lovely little Che, the "right hand" of the hostel owner Nick,who once left the Empire to build this place up...) After quite a long time the door was suddenly opened by a bare-feeted Australian Dave :-) who lead us to our four- bed- dorm shell in the HEART of the casa caracol (Be aware, if you stay here, night will usually turn into day and you won't get any sleep...) From now on, however, there was no use to get any because we were immedialtely under the spell of the misterious (=mellow lifestyle) atmosphere of the snail- shell...: a warm, friendly place with an unique roof top, three caring staff- princes who patiently answered all the "frequently asked questions" over and over again, usually didn't arrive before noon (which made the place soooo relaxed...) andmade us experience the "insider - nightlife" of Cadiz ending up in private Rock n' Roll parties.....!!!!Furthermore, here you've got the chance to meet people from all over the world, to socialize you can make drinking games all night long in the cosy kitchen because there is no curfew!! Besides the hostel-life there are a lot activities you can experience around Cadiz.... the beach which is very close, the beautiful markets in the morning, cafes, trips to the surrounding areas (Conil d.l.F., Sevilla, Arcos, El puerto de la Santa Maria) and the Tapas bars, of course...!!Keep in mind: The longer you stay, the harder it will be to leave... WE'll be back!!!!Steph and Betty
3 of
12 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Anonymous
Muenster, Germany
special in all matters 24 March 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 6503)
casa caracol is a wonderful place to stay. it is designed with lots of colours. there is a kitchen where you can cook until 6 pm. you can get there dinner for 4 euros, but i have to admit that the portion was very small and not that delicious. the roof terrasse ist absolutely fantastic. we were there september 2003 and have to say that the staff was partially arrogant and cliquey. thus it wasnt easy to feel at home and really comfortable there - it is a pity since it is such a wonderful place.
8 of
11 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Instecter Nalgitas
San Jose, California
Relaxed English-Speaking Outpost 4 March 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Instecter Nalgitas
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 6504)
This place was designed with the word "chill" in mind. You can arrive before noon, but a drowsy guest will probably have to let you in. You can lounge on the roof hammock and watch the sky all day if you wish.They have a kitchen to use and there´s a bathroom on each of the 2 floors. Nick, the main dude, is very helpful and friendly... most of the time. When he´s off his rocker, it´s better to discuss matters with his aussie or spanish compadres. Say hi to their dog Muttley when you´re there.So it´s chill and inexpensive at 10-12 euro/night but a little dirty. Rooms are cleaned every couple days and there´s a few odors in the air here. Also the lower toilet can´t handle toilet paper... For this type of place, though, it´s as clean as you´d expect it to be. They also rent surfboards, have laundry and clotheslines- 4 euro per load-, and rent out a separate nearby flat. If you´re in Cadiz, why the hell not?
5 of
13 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
renate.marx@12move.de
Berlin, Germany
A very relaxed and friendly place 5 November 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
renate.marx@12move.de
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 6505)
In October I spent about 10 days at Casa Caracol. In all my travels over the years it was the first time that I was successfully fished at a busstation. So don't be shy if you get approached by a friendly Casa Caracol fisherman. The hostel is close to the bus and train station, close to the beaches and located in the beautiful old part of Cádiz. First I had a look, then I booked two nights, extended day by day till I figured that it's the right place to be till the end of my trip. Nice hosts, nice fellow travellers and a place to easily meet people if you want to. I prefered to have dinner outside the hostal most of the time, just to rather practise my Spanish than my English and to try the local food. Though dinner offered at a moderate price at the hostel was always fresh cooked and tasty. Last not least: To sleep in a hammock on the roof terrace is difficult to be topped. What else do you need?
10 of
13 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Anonymous
berlin, germany
response to 'quirky little oasis' re: hostel food 4 October 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 6506)
(postscript to small friendly hostel w/character and good atmosphere)i wanted to comment that i didn't mean to suggest the average vegetarian hostel meals were bad. they were perfectly adequate, though i found them a bit bland. i will leave out a quip about british cooking. however, eating out in cádiz can be really cheap and really, really good (so much fresh seafood! cazón en adobo!!). i mean, one of the bigger pleasures of traveling is sampling local cuisine. and with the exception of the usually awful bread, spanish food is really yummy, and quite varied.but as noted, if nick cooks....
4 of
13 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Anonymous
berlin, germany
quirky little oasis 15 September 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 6507)
Arrived on a bus from Sevilla - was met by one of the staff who walked back with me and talked about the things to do in town. Ended up going out to all-night bars and sharing dinner (best food so far in Spain - Dave and Ami) with staff and travellers each night. Friendliest place in a long time. Suprised at the review critisising the food except the muesli is not so sexy. Loved the hostal dog. Recommend trying the tapas at Bar Zapata and a bar called Agua at the end of the new town. Hope to come back for Carnaval !!
7 of
15 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Anonymous
Warwick, UK
A wierd one 9 September 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 6508)
This hostel's a small one, located really near the train station in Cadiz. It's got a lot of character and atmosphere - which is sadly a bit pretentious.- Rooms with loads of character and painting- Beautiful rooftop balcony- Well cooked veggie Evening meals, that are a good chance to socialize- Friendly but slightly pretentious staffOverall I'd definitely reccommend it, althoughI found the atmosphere too cliquey to stay for long.
10 of
15 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Anonymous
Berlin, Germany
small friendly hostel with character & good atmosphere 3 August 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 6509)
i had a really great time at this hostel. i was there for over a week and found it extremely easy to meet and socialize with fellow travelers and also the owners, who are very nice. it's at the northeast end of the peninsula, in the old town, but very near to the new, which is very convenient because you want to be and stay in the old town, but the summer nightlife and most attractive beaches are in the new town. roof garden with hammocks: nice place to chill out and meet your fellow wanderers. mediocre granola free for breakfast, you may want to provide something else for yourself. 4 euro usually vegetarian evening meal: skip it unless nick (one of the owners) is cooking; instead pick up the tapas tour map from the information center in plaza san juan de dios and make your way to various local establishments (about 30 are listed on this map) sampling the "tapa cai": a tapa and a glass of red wine for 1,80 euros! bus #1 goes from nearby the hostel to the 3 beaches in the new town, but if you want to be a cheapskate, you can walk to all of them.
10 of
20 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Anonymous
Melbourn Australia
Quirky, fun, chilled out, hammock haven 30 July 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 6510)
This is a wonderful little place, quirky and off beat. The roof garden terrace it is a wicked place to chill out in hammocks and get to know other travellers with the backdrop of the barrio de santa maria to set the scene. The people who run the place make the atmosphere fun and safe. There are dorms and doubles....or alternatively sleep under the stars in a hammock!
