The Space · San Juan del Sur
in Nicaragua 🇳🇮
→ enjoythespace.com
✉️
Reviews please interpret other's opinions per your own needs and values
I'm going to leave a review here because I think it's a great hostel and they have gotten so much right, but with a couple of things that I personally don't like. But may be justifiable from a business point of view, but that's not where I'm seeing it from I can only describe my experience
So many great things about this place,
Communication 5*
Friendly staff*
Activities*
Quality of food*
Shuttle service 5*
Games and gym 5*
The only thing I would rate down is the food cost & quantity, this I would give a 3*
The price is at the high end of San Juan going rate, which isn't the end of the world because the quality is great
But the portions are also small, this persuades you into 3 meals a day. If I pay top end for food I want to feel satiated. With outside food being banned eating can become relatively expensive. Then when you add the 15% tax +10% tip on the final bill it starts to fall from "high end range" prices and into the "greedy price range"
I normally never write long reviews, but this time I felt it was worth sharing our experience, hopefully so something can be done with the feedback.
We stayed at The Space Jungle for a few days over Christmas. To start on a positive note: the place definitely has potential. It looks nice, the common area is cozy, and the pool is a great addition. Because we were far away from home and not spending Christmas with our families, we consciously chose to invest a bit more in a hostel that we expected to be lively and social. It is also the most expensive hostel we’ve ever booked (out of 100+ hostels we’ve stayed in), partly because Booking and Hostelworld suggested that there would be regular activities and a social atmosphere. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case in reality.
When we arrived, the hostel was almost empty. Over three nights, we met only a handful of people. During Christmas there was nothing organized at all: no dinner, no activities, no games, basically nothing except one hour of yoga in the morning. The bar already closed at 9 PM, which didn’t really help create any kind of festive or social vibe. On top of that, the hostel is located quite far outside of town. Normally there is a shuttle, but this was canceled during the holidays. As a result, we had to take a taxi arranged through the hostel. For a ride of less than 10 minutes, we were told it would cost $10, but the driver ended up charging $15. This was disappointing, especially since it was booked via the hostel.
The room was also a letdown. There was barely any daylight due to a very small window, the air conditioning regularly leaked water, and the beds were extremely uncomfortable. I can honestly still feel the springs. The floor was dirty and looked like it hadn’t been properly cleaned in a long time.
To end on a positive note: the co-working space was really nice, the food was good, and the staff were friendly and helpful, nothing negative to say about them personally. The location and facilities really do have a lot of potential. However, for us this ended up being a very overpriced and atmosphere-less experience, especially considering the expectations that were set beforehand.
We are not complaining just to complain. We’ve stayed in hostels that were far worse and dirtier, and that’s totally fine when the price matches. If this hostel had been half the price, we wouldn’t have complained at all. But at this price point, it simply didn’t feel worth it.
It could have been so much more, but unfortunately for us this was a disappointment and not a place we would ever return to.
Great stay! The lodge is just a short drive from the center of San Juan del Sur and offers comfortable rooms with AC and hot water. The whole place feels like the perfect mix of EcoLodge charm and a modern boutique-hostel vibe.
A special shout-out to Addleson at the front desk. He made our trip truly unforgettable. From catamaran tours to horseback riding and adventure day trips, he'll help curate a top-tier Nicaraguan experience for you. His dedication to guests really sets this place apart.
Highly recommend!
Edit: The owner personally called and apologized has assured she will talk to the staff and take necessary actions and has promised better experience for future guests. I hope no one else will have to go through what I went through at this location.
I was gonna skip my review but this place needs to be reviewed. The no review since last 2 months should have given it away but I still booked the place and here is the series of incidents that happened.
- Few days before my check in I get an email from a manager saying they couldn’t run my CC and my reservation would be cancelled. After going back and forth somehow the card doesn’t work so I tell them ill book through booking but he refuses.
- There is supposed to be a free shuttle from town, that doesn’t exist. The same manager informs me that he can arrange a taxi for $10. When asked about the shuttle he says, no shuttle.
- - There is a shuttle from different hostel but I am not informed.
- I take a taxi and get to the hotel anyways. The same manager checks me in, tells me about all sorts of issues they have and tells me if I dont wanna stay I can go find another hotel. Its 5pm, where else am I gonna go.
- I booked the Jungle Suite with Ac, the only AC room in the hotel.
The manager tells me he will provide hot water and free yoga because of the shuttle not being available.
Later, i learn that yoga is free for all guests anyways and Hot water comes with the room. Why make shit up?
- The Jungle Suite has No windows but it isnt mentioned because they have this tiny mini window thats not even really a window.
- From day 2 the rooms starts to smell like sewage, I assume its because of the surrounding but the next day it gets even worse so I had to switch room. No other room has ACs nor proper windows.
- Oh and there is a 5% fee on credit card usage.
I dont know where are all the information hidden but I obviously missed it.
So the most expensive room that has AC smells like sewage. I notice the sewage tank right outside that tiny window. How are you charging the most for such shitty room?
Then I see on their website that breakfast is included in all rooms. I was told otherwise, so after having this conversation with another manager he includes breakfast.
I was supposed to get a night credit for the problem I faced, the 1st manager ignores and doesn’t provide it.
Few things that needs to be mentioned,
- was given $4 credit per night
- the difference when switched room was provided
- No toiletries are provided ( When asked I was given a sachet of Shampoo and soap)
The manager needs a serious customer service training, he is unprofessional and rude.
The 1 star belong to the restaurant and the staff at the bar. Food is good but overpriced. Example, had wings( 4 pieces) and can of beer, total came out to be 450c but when paying it turned out 562c, when asked they said 15% taxes which still doesn’t add up.
The worst part about this hotel is its dishonesty and the attitude of the said manager.
Picture of the most expensive room attached with “the Window”
I could not recommend The Space high enough. Basically a rustic, spiritual-retreat resort close to the better beaches around SJDS. But at hostel fares.
Scooters, yoga , and more importantly the relaxing vibe at this place makes it unmatchable to possibly any hostel in the world. Would recommend 2-3 days atleast.
Ignore all other mediocre reviews, as it reeks of entitlement :)
Definitely taking advantage of people on costs. Staff was unfriendly. Riddled with mosquitos. Facility & pool was underwhelming.
Actual dorms were very nice with private shower and bathroom.
Wouldn’t recommend overall.
Stayed here for 6 days and enjoyed every moment! Especially the free coffee in the morning with a plunge in the giant pool. Saw also so many new animals and birds here. The place is well maintained.
Looks perfect for digital nomads: they have a cowork space!
They put a lot of effort in keeping the place clean. They organize a lot of activities like bonfire, trivia, yoga, brunch, …
Some people in the reviews say the location is not so great: rent a scooter instead of using the shuttle: you will be happy with a scooter since you can explore so much more (so many amazing beaches).
We stopped in for a day pass to use the pool, have some drinks, and eat some food. Overall, the bar/pool area was nicely kept, comfortable, and the prices on food and drinks seemed reasonable.
There are no lounge chairs around the pool for sunbathing. We found that to be disappointing as there was no place to lay out in the sun after swimming and the pool area is very shaded, even at 1 pm.
The "burgers" are not actual hamburgers with a beef patty, they actually have no meat at all. My husband tried to ask the staff if there was carne on The Shroom "burger" and they said yes so he ordered it. It ended up just being canned mushrooms mixed with some sauce on untoasted burger buns. Not good at all and fortunately they took it off our bill because we had to send it back. Absolutely disgusting and a real disappointment, we were surprised something so bad is on the menu. Fortunately my chicken dish was pretty decent. We learned on the way out that none of the "burgers" have a beef patty.
We live nearby, but not sure if we will be back as there are other options in the area.
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