Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored in any way, and I have never received a discount or anything for free from Hostel Pudu.
Our Accommodation Experience
During our year long RTW (round the world) trip, we stayed in about 80 different places (yes, I went back and counted), ranging from hostel to guesthouse to hotel to tent to camper van to cabin to shack to hammock on the beach. In our 11 year relationship, we have probably stayed in close to 200 (I did not go back and count, this is a guesstimate) different accommodations across 21 US states and 20 countries.
I don’t throw these numbers out to brag. I simply want to give an idea of our experience in this matter. We have stayed in some pretty awful places (hello Yo Yo in Valparaiso, Chile!) in every part of the world, and we have stayed in some pretty awesome places (hello Desert Springs Resort in Palm Springs, CA!) as well.
And while we always love a nice, posh resort, most of the time that simply isn’t possible because of the budget we travel on. We have really grown to love hostels, despite the fact that we are both over 30 and a married couple.
Even when throwing all those other places into the mix; resorts, rental houses, and every other accommodation we have stayed in over the years, there is one that tends to rise up above the rest. When talking about quality, worth, and bang for your buck, there’s no better place than Hostel Pudu in Bariloche, Argentina.
Here are 5 reasons why Hostel Pudu is our favorite hostel in the entire world.
1. Great Views
The giant window in our room was perfect for watching the sun set
This certainly isn’t a prerequisite for a good place to stay, but it sure as hell doesn’t hurt. If walking to Pudu, travelers have to hoof it up a pretty steep hill, but it makes for a wonderful setting once you arrive. Many of the rooms have fantastic views of Lago Nahuel Huapi and the surrounding mountains, and the backyard is perfect for those who enjoy just chilling with a beer and a book and relaxing. Hammocks adorn the yard, along with plenty of chairs, and of course a barbecue pit for Pudu’s weekly asados. All with a fantastic view that never gets old.
2. Affordable Price
You can't beat a room like this for the price *pic from Pudu's website
If you’ve ever traveled through Patagonia and the Lake District, particularly during high season (December-February), expect higher prices than the rest of the country. Pudu is of average price compared to other hostels in Bariloche, charging $16US for a dorm bed and $57US for a private room with private bath and shower. We actually stayed in both a dorm and a private while there, and the rooms are very spacious, extremely clean, and the beds are super comfortable. The price also included breakfast, and they go out of their way to make fresh baked scones every single morning. There is also bread, coffee, mate, and tea, and all are served with a variety of fresh jams and dulce de leche. It’s so easy for a hostel to just put out a few loaves of bread and a toaster and call it breakfast, but I LOVE it when a place goes above and beyond for breakfast. This is just one of the many things that Pudu does to go above and beyond. The kitchen is rather large as well, and there are several grocery stores minutes away, so it’s easy to save money by cooking your own lunch and/or dinner. A computer station and free, working wifi throughout the hostel is also included in the price.
3. Good Food and Drink
Do NOT skip out on an asado at Pudu *pic from Hostel Pudu's website
I’ve already mentioned breakfast, but that’s only the beginning. You all know that we love food here, and food in Argentina is one of our favorites. The owners at Pudu embrace the Argentine culture by hosting a weekly asado (barbecue). Travelers staying at the hostel are alerted of an asado on the kitchen chalkboard that morning and can sign up there, and for a nominal fee, get a MASSIVE asado complete with red wine. In true Argentine fashion, the meal is served late, it’s laid back, takes a long time, and there’s an absurd amount of red meat, sausages, and sides that makes for a great asado. Red wine is also included, or you can purchase beer at their bar.
And oh, what is the matter with me that it’s taken this long to mention the beer. Owners John and Emma (along with their Argentine counterpart Leo) are Irish, so they know and love their beer, and it shows. If you’ve traveled around S. America at all, you’d know that the beer choices typically suck. Pudu has a local brewer deliver beer to their hostel, where they have three different varieties on tap. For a beer lover like me who had been without good beer for the better part of four months, this was Heaven.
4. Entertainment
We were always smiling when at Pudu
I’ve already mentioned the Friday night asado, and in addition to the delicious food that is served, it’s a great chance to meet and party with others staying at the hostel. The few that we took part in turned into excellent nights that were tons of fun. But it’s not just the asados that are fun. Every night seems to be a party at Pudu, and I’m not sure if it’s the laid back vibe given out by the owners and staff, but it doesn’t give off that fraternity party atmosphere so evident in other hostels with bars. Megan and I were both a bit worried when we checked into our room and found it was right above the bar, but it was surprisingly quiet even when there was a large contingent of people getting after it downstairs. Add in the large backyard with great views, the chilling room upstairs with a TV, tons of DVD’s, and a book exchange, and you have all you need to keep you entertained.
5. Owners and Staff
Owners and staff will always have a good time with everyone *pic from Pudu's website
To me, this is what really set Pudu apart from the rest. All three owners were absolutely fantastic. Nice, approachable, laid back, cool, and just super friendly and welcoming. You could just tell that John and Emma are well traveled, and it seems like they really thought long and hard about what they wanted their hostel to be like. All three owners work their asses off, they do cooking, cleaning, maintenance, and take part in the asados and parties on a regular basis. Plus they are super knowledgeable about the area, and they can arrange outdoor excursions for you of give you tips on where to go and what to do. There are a ton of resources available, and the rest of the staff give off this same vibe. They don’t just hire any clown with a backpack who wants free accommodation in exchange for a bit of work.
I’m not sure if we’re the only ones, but more than once during our travels we talked about how cool it would be to open a hostel. We discussed what we’d do to make it awesome and stand out above all the rest. It seems as though John, Emma, and Leo actually did that when opening Hostel Pudu in Bariloche. For anyone contemplating opening a hostel at some point, Pudu would serve as an excellent template. If heading to Bariloche at any time, I HIGHLY suggest staying at Pudu. You won’t be disappointed. Make sure to book early as I’m not the only one who feels this way (several other travelers suggested it to us long before we went there).
Make sure to check out their website and contact them for reservations. They book up way in advance, especially in high season, so if you know when you’re going, book now!
