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Reviews of Loving Strangers Hostel

Rua Secretário Telles Bettencourt 38, 9950-305 Madalena, Portugal

#1 of 8 hotels in Madalena

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 62 hostel reviews

9.5

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.4

  • Comfort

    9.5

  • Location

    9.2

  • Facilities

    9.3

  • Staff

    9.9

  • Value for money

    9.0

  • Free Wifi

    10.0

Verified guest reviews from real Bookers

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: May 29, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Honestly, just keep doing as you are doing guys!!!!

    This place felt more like a homestay than a hostel. Really felt welcome and wanted. The place is set in a beautiful garden, right on the edge of town and a short walk to restaurants. There is a separate workspace (if needed). Breakfast was a communal affair, and the pancakes were awesome. One of the best hostels I have stayed in, and I have stayed in many!

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 26, 2024

    10
    THE place to stay to meet people in the Azores
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    careful for anyone allergic: there are cats everywhere (though not inside)

    amazing welcome, beautiful concept of sharing with others led by the energy of the owners. adorable cats ! for teleworkers there’s also a special dedicated space which is amazing !

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 17, 2024

    10
    Lovely place!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Blown away by the hospitality and the warm feeling that Stefan and Pedro have created. If you get the chance, don't miss the dinners that Stefan makes. We had several great moments with other guests at this hostel.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 13, 2024

    10
    Love & family dinner with strangers
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    If you want a lot of privacy and dislike company and conversations this is the wrong place. For us it was perfect!

    Stefan and Pedro make the stay unforgettable. You instantly feel like family and the breakfasts, dinners and drinks around the fire at night make it a wholesome experience. The private (Photographers) room has an amazing view. We have been around the world, but this view ist hard to beat. Pico mountain to one side and the ocean to the other while laying in bed is incredible. For a couple wanting some alone time, but do not want to miss out on the hostel experience, this is the perfect place!

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 12, 2024

    10
    Terrific stay, fab breakfast and hospitality!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Lovely view on Pico mountain and Owner’s hospitality.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: May 12, 2024

    10
    Excellent. Highly recommended.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    It topped my expectations. Very cozy and kind of a big family. The evening get together dinner was absolutely great.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 10, 2024

    10
    Warmest welcome I’ve ever had in a hostel!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Only thing I didn’t like is that I wasn’t there longer!

    Love the care and attention given to guests, welcomed like family! Absolutely fantastic two nights, with a wonderful meal for a tiny extra bit of €€, and breakfast included in the stay. The atmosphere is super friendly and warm but there is plenty of space for relaxing and solo time.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: May 6, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night

    By far the best hostel we've stayed. Great location, wonderful host. Amazing dinner. You should definitely stay here if you're exploring the island!

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: May 4, 2024

    10
    Only wish that I could have stayed longer! The hostel is all about meeting people and having a good time!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Really nice place with good vibes, the dorms are comfy and staff is adorable!

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: May 4, 2024

    10
    Loving Strangers will instantly be called Home
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    From the moment I stepped there, the hosts made sure that i entered in a home rather than the regular hostel and that continued throughout my stay there. The loving and nurturing vibe that the hosts provide to each and every guest so they feel like the came to a family, either that is done with beautiful breakfast or around a bonfire talking and dancing brings all the strangers that arrive there to instantly connect and feel the love all around.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: April 21, 2024

    10
    One of the best hostels I ever stayed at (10 out of 10)
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    The host Stefan is extremely lovely. I was given a quick tour of the hostel and was free to choose whichever bunk bed I wanted. The beds are amazing: outlet, personal light, curtains that let no light in, space to put your things, very comfortable mattress, large lockers. The breakfast was also lovely. Stefan will make you his signature pancakes (also vegan and gluten free if you want). There is also yoghurt, bread, different jams, fruit and cereal. Speaking of food: make sure you participate in the "family dinners". The home-cooked meals (form starters to soup, main, and desert) are amazing. Stefan not only cooks better than most restaurants I have been to on the azores, but you'll also be fed until you explode and that for a very fair price. Finally, I loved the co-working space with nice chairs, privacy and fast WIFI.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: April 17, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    A really social place with amazing owners/hosts. The paid dinners were really special.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 28, 2024

    10
    Amazing
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Love Stefan and Pedro! Try the cooking of Stefan!

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 7, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I spent only few days here, but felt like at home in a large family. I wish to come back very soon. Un grandissimo abbraccio 😘

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: March 5, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I liked everything.

    This is not your regular hostel experience. This is something more. You feel here like you are home. Pedro and Stefan treat you like a part of family. I highly recomend to stay here.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: February 27, 2024

    10
    The best place on Pico Island
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Only two bathrooms while high season might be an issue. I was there in February, hence without any obstacles due to that.

    Really friendly people running this place. Stefan makes the best pancakes in the world. In the garden of the hostel are at least three joyful cats. The place is clean and tidy. If you are with a car, then there's a spot on the street next to the hostel.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: January 22, 2024

    10
    The best hostel in all Azores
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing to declare!!!

    The best hostel in all Azores! Really good vibes, loving hosts, dreaming place, near from everything you need. I loved the interaction between people, the dinners preparated at nights by the team or the guests, excellent! I'll definitely stay more nights with them.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: November 22, 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    "Loving strangers" is not just a name - it is the way, how Stefan and Pedro live their life! 💛 These two sympatic guys wanted to create a place, where people can connect and have a joyful time together - and they are doing a great job so far! I'm sure this hostel will become even more special once the renovation is completely finished... 🤩 For every inconvenience in the meantime they will make up multiple times with being warm-hearted and taking every effort to help you with planning and booking your activities around Pico island. 🤗 I felt really spoiled getting pancakes every morning for breakfast - made with love by Stefan! ❤️ It is possible that once in a while one of the lovely cats finds its way into your room - if that's a problem, just communicate it and I'm sure they will instantly take care. 🐈 These furry staff-members just really like the comfortable and stable bunk beds too, of which each has its own light and power outlet and a curtain for private space. The shared bathrooms might not be overdimensioned but the nice hot water (especially after diving in November 😅) and the strong water pressure really makes up for it! It's a pity that I couldn't experience the often mentioned campfires, as I was there in quite stormy off saison. But cooking dinner together inside, doing movie nights and playing cards was a good alternative. 😊 (A little side note here: Pedro can get a little bit impatient if you think about your next move too long... 😘) I extended my stay there twice - but spending more time there, just made it even harder to leave finally! Muito obrigada! 🥰

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: November 8, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    This is more than just an ordinary hostel, it's more like community place. Stefan loves his project and always tries to please people, this guy really CARES about people. The backyard is more like a botanical garden and there is even co-working room, where you can work and focus on your stuff. Special hostel for the special place.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: October 16, 2023

    10
    So friendly and welcoming!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The staff made you feel like part of the family as soon as you arrived!

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: October 7, 2023

    10
    Best Hostel on azores!!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Very welcoming place, you feel instantly Like arriving Home! Easy place to meet and Connect with people. I ve met new Friends and we kept traveling together on other Islands. Great Evening Dinner :)

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: October 1, 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    I have not stayed at a hostel in a really, really long time. But I was traveling alone and looking to meet some like-minded people. Staying at Loving Strangers was the best decision I made during my time in Pico. Stefan, Pedro and the rest of the team were welcoming, warm, friendly and OMG... so much fun! I truly had a blast during my time there, met some amazing people, and had some great discussions. I even ended up doing a night climb of Mount Pico with a few other solo travelers from the hostel. Very grateful the universe brought me to a place that took such good care of me. On a practical note, the shared bunk room was super clean, as were all the common areas. There's a supermarket 3 mins walk away, right next to store that sells almost everything (I found headlamps here). Parking was super easy and the neighbors were the sweetest.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: September 30, 2023

    10
    Hostel experience loving strangers
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    -

    Stephen and pedro are amazing hosts for a hostel. The experience of one big happy family of travelers. Especially on my first solo trip I was welcomed with open arms, good suggestions for what to do and a very nice hostel dinner/breakfast

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: September 21, 2023

    10
    Where strangers become friends!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    This hostel is something else - in a really good way. Pedro and Stefan, your hosts and the owners of the hostel, are the kind of individuals that spread good vibes and positive energy all the time. You’ll feel at home right from the beginning! I loved the vibe. Words can’t really express the feelings you have when getting a taste of their awesome dinners and late nights at the camp fire. If late nights aren’t for you: don’t worry. The rooms are really quiet und the beds are awesome. Maybe that’s also a reason why this place feels like home. Madalena and the ferry terminal are in walking distance. You have nice views over Pico and Fajal (watching the sunset from the terrace in front of the kitchen is a must). Guys, if you are reading this: thanks again for the unbelievable hospitality I was able to experience. Looking forward to giving you a hug again some time in the future!

    Stayed in September 2023

Showing 1 - 25

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