Hostel Jardins de São Luís is a beautiful, large budget accommodation located on the outskirts of Setubal. It is the perfect place to stay for anyone looking for a cheap and cheerful stay in the city. You’ll be greeted by friendly staff to a clean, comfortable environment. While the property offers only budget accommodation in shared dorm rooms, it features luxury amenities like the inviting outdoor pool surrounded by lush gardens, a barbecue for your use, and a bar to order a nightcap at. It’s an easy walk into town and also has private parking in case you’re visiting Setubal by car.
An Overview of Hostel Jardins de São Luís
Address: R. Justa Rodrigues Pereira nr 1
Beds: Metal bunks. Not fixed but sturdy. Some beds have individual lights & outlets.
Facilities: Kitchen, dining room, bar, lounge area, garden, and outdoor pool.
Workspaces: There are no designated workspaces.
Price: From €25 per night for a bed in a shared room
Parking: Yes. The property has private off-road parking.
Elevator: Yes. The property has just two floors but there is an elevator available to help you carry your things.
Lockers: There are wardrobes in the room but they do not lock. There are also lockers available in the hallways.
Room types: 6- and 8-bed mixed and female-only dorms
A/C: Yes
Comfort
This hostel is spacious and very comfortable. From the ample outdoor seating where you can enjoy the sunshine by the pool, to the large rooms which give you plenty of space to move around alongside any of your roommates, you’ll find Jardins de São Luís is very comfortable — especially for a budget hostel.
The beds are made up with a decent pillow and a sheet as well as a light blanket — even in the summer. The mattresses are thick enough to provide comfort. And the a/c makes sure that the room is the right temperature any time of year.
Location
Jardins de São Luís sits just outside of Setubal, on the road towards Azeitão. It’s only about a ten-minute walk to the edge of town, but unfortunately the first five minutes or so is along quite a busy road with no sidewalk. There is a bus stop just across the main road, and the bus that brings you into the center of Setubal passes about every 30 minutes. In my opinion though, the best way to get around Setubal is on foot, just be mindful on the busy road.
It is, of course, this slightly out of town location that allows for space to enjoy a garden and a pool. So, all in all, the location is a good one, with the benefits outweighing any drawbacks.
While the property is behind a fence so you cannot see the road very well, you do get the noise of traffic passing by.
Staff
The hostel is family-operated, with some staff who come in daily to take care of check ins and cleaning. Everyone is very friendly, helpful, and kind.
While not all of the staff speak English, some do, enough so that you will be taken care of. While you’ll easily find someone during the day for any questions, there is no one on duty overnight. It is my understanding that the family lives on the premises, but they are not working so unless there is an emergency you won’t be able to get any assistance after about 10 PM.
Cleanliness
All of the facilities at the hostel are very clean. There is a cleaning staff on duty throughout the day who do an excellent job of keeping things in tiptop shape. The bathrooms are shared amongst all of the rooms and all have a toilet as well as a shower — this is often a recipe for a wet and slightly grimy bathroom. Not here. Again, things are cleaned constantly and never feel like you’re walking into someone else’s used space.
Rooms
The rooms at Hostel Jardins de São Luís are very spacious. They have more than enough space for everyone to move around comfortably. The bunk beds are metal and are not fixed to the wall. However, they are fairly sturdy and do not move or squeak a great deal.
The rooms are equipped with a/c and also have large windows to let in light and fresh air. There is a small table and some chairs. There are also wardrobes where you can store your clothes for longer stays.
Security
To access the property you first need to go through an outdoor gate. When you arrive you’ll be buzzed in. Once you check in you’ll get a code that will get you through that gate at any time of day or night, plus get you into the property’s main door. This door is often propped open during the day so you don’t have to worry about getting locked out if you step outside for some fresh air. But come evening it is closed and locked.
While there are two layers of locks to gain access to the hostel, there are no staff on duty overnight. The dorm rooms do not have keys or locks, so they are accessible to everyone on the property. Reportedly this has never been an issue for the hostel.
While there are not lockers in the rooms, there are several in the hallways which you can claim so you can lock up any valuables during your stay.
Internet
The hostel has its own wifi network. It is not incredibly fast but it works ok to get the basics done. It covers the dorm rooms as well as the dining area, but it is spotty at best in the garden and around the pool area.
Facilities
Everything at the hostel is clean and well-maintained. The kitchen is small but has all of the basic facilities you might need to put together a simple meal or store your food.
The pool is clean and the garden and outside lounge areas are kept in good condition. There is nothing missing and the property is clearly well-looked after.
