Selina · Medellin
in Colombia 🇨🇴 and 5 more locations
→ selina.com
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The largest network of hip spaces across the globe, most being hostels with shared or private rooms for shorter stays. Some offer dedicated coworking (extra cost) and other facilities such as pool and restaurant.
Reviews please interpret other's opinions per your own needs and values
Stayed in a private room and it was great, very spacious and clean. Housingkeeping was also friendly and very helpful although there didn’t seem to be a schedule they followed, some days our room was cleaned and other days they hadn’t been by the time we got back. Can‘t speak to the co-working space as we didn’t use it but it seems it is a paid add on which is definitely a no no. Food isn‘t great but theres plenty of options right outside the door. The poblado area is a popular tourist area with streets of restaurants and bars back to back.
We chose to stay at this SocialTel in Medellín because we trusted the SocialTel brand from our previous experience in Thailand (Koh Samui), where everything was professional, modern, and welcoming. Based on that trust, we booked a 3-night stay as a couple.
Unfortunately, our experience started very poorly at check-in. I entered the hotel first with our luggage and approached the reception desk, while my wife followed a few steps behind, casually recording a short video on her phone for her YouTube channel. The female receptionist who assisted us — not the younger girl with glasses, but a more mature woman — was already cold, rude, and uninterested while speaking with me.
When she noticed my wife entering with a phone in her hand, she visibly shook her head and looked at her in a very dismissive and judgmental way, clearly making an inappropriate assumption. When I addressed my wife and it became obvious that we were together, the receptionist seemed shocked and realized her assumption was wrong. Despite this, she did not apologize and did not change her attitude. She continued to behave in a rude, unprofessional, and unwelcoming manner. Even simple questions were answered with the same cold and unpleasant tone.
After our stay, we reviewed previous guest comments and it became clear that we were not the only ones who felt uncomfortable with this staff member’s behavior. Multiple reviews mention similar issues, which suggests this is not an isolated incident but an ongoing problem that management should seriously address.
Another strange and disappointing situation happened when we asked for a hair dryer. Even though I had already fully completed the check-in process, the staff requested that we leave a passport, driver’s license, or some form of ID in exchange for the hair dryer. This felt completely unnecessary and excessive. We have stayed in many hotels and SocialTel properties before, and this is something we have never experienced. It did not feel professional and did not align with the standards of an international hospitality brand.
I would like to sincerely thank Miguel at the reception and the event coordinator (I apologize for not remembering his name). Both were kind, respectful, and professional, and they truly represented what hospitality should be.
To be fair and objective, the breakfast was actually good and enjoyable. The hotel’s location is also excellent and is clearly one of its strongest advantages.
However, aside from these positives, this stay was a complete disappointment. The rooms are very old and clearly in need of serious renovation, and the overall service level does not reflect the SocialTel brand we trusted. The behavior we experienced at check-in — especially from a senior staff member — was particularly concerning and not appropriate for the tourism and hospitality industry.
In summary: good breakfast, excellent location, and a couple of outstanding staff members — but a very poor first impression, disrespectful behavior at check-in, no apology for inappropriate assumptions, unnecessary ID requests for basic amenities, recurring complaints about the same staff behavior, and outdated rooms made this stay far below expectations and a complete disappointment.
The experience would have been good except when we wanted to borrow an iron so I could press my shirt for church they wanted to hold my id when they already took a copy of it! They forced my girlfriend to give them her id so I checked us out early. It was very shady policy. Then they tried to refuse my early check out so I will have to call the credit card company. They treated us like thieves. Why would I steal an iron?
The hostel is dirty. Beds are dirty. Bathrooms are filthy and they are never cleaned (in the 3 days I was there the same filth was in the sink every day). The communal toilets are just as dirty and none of them have any paper. The sink in my room didn’t work-unhygenic. Staff were told of this 3 times and eventually I was moved to another room (thankfully). The next room had ‘clean’ beds. All 3 separately had many black long hairs all over bed sheets. I complained, and was moved to another room. The last room’s beds were cleaner than the other ones but there was still a lot of dust on the beds and some of them were still dirty. I found a bed that was relatively clean but I could see the sheets above me on the bunk bed were dirty.
David should be the owner. The rooms was nice even tho it was a little bit hot and the tv didn’t work. In general David was the highlights of my trip, I recommend for everyone:)
Hostel was alright overall. But Mauricio at the cafe was GREAT !!!!!!!!! Looked after us so well and was easily the hardest worker in the whole place he was run off his feet and still a pleasure to deal with throughout. His management should give him a pay rise!
The location is perfect — right in the heart of El Poblado, with great restaurants, cafes, and nightlife just steps away. The rooms were clean, comfortable, and nicely designed, which made it easy to relax after a day of exploring. What really stood out was the staff — super friendly, helpful, and always available to assist with anything I needed. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Medellín
Unfortunately I did not enjoy my experience here. The website made it seem so cool, and at first it was. The building looks nice when you walk in, but they advertised that they had to many activities but barely even had half of them. Then you have to pay extra to even go into some of the rooms in the building, like the office space. The rooftop is only open Fridays and Saturdays. There’s a picture of a pool but they don’t have a pool. My room was extremely hot, I asked for a fan and they did give me one. I also wanted to connect with people and didn’t see many people. I ended up going to Medellin vibes hostel the next day which I enjoyed more. Unfortunately I booked through a third party and couldn’t get my money back, I’m not sure if socialtel is even willing to do that. The front desk did say that I’m still booked for another 5 days when I was checking out. I told them I found another place, and they didn’t seem to care to ask what they could’ve done better or offer a refund. I don’t blame the workers though. The idea of the hostel is nice but just didn’t work for me.
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