we had a nice stay at el cafecito, a new hostel quite central in bogota. it is located in an old house, nicely renovated with fireplaces and a good bar/kitchen. rooms are large and bed was good.

After reading the rave reviews of previous guests, we were extremely disappointed. The first morning after our arrival there was no hot water. One empty gas bottle and one with a leak and no one willing to do anything about it until we pushed. We ordered breakfast to fill in time for the gas bottle to arrive. A miserable and expensive breakfast for a hostel. When we left we were amazed to find a 10% service charge, (instead of the 10% discount supposedly offered to guests advertised on their web site) in a backpackers' hostel.
The rooms were noisy every night from the cafe below, and ours opened (literally) onto the communal bathroom so every time someone used it at night, we woke up. Staff were outside in the garden talking ALL night. The last night we had a party at full volume until 6am, like being in a discoteque. The night guy told us that there was another similar party at the front of the hostel, every Friday and Saturday.
The staff were OK but it seems this hostel does not live up to the one in Quito which everyone agrees is great.

We stayed at El Cafecito for four nights and we were blown away by the place. The staff that worked there was so great in helping us find anything and everything in Bogota and Colombia. The building itself is located in a safe side neighborhood off the main road just a quick 2 minute walk to the Transmilio and any other area you really want. Safe, clean and secure. Always great music playing downstairs where the restaurant and cafe is. Great vibe every night with locals coming in to the cafe/restaurant. Not a "typical" hostel where I would worry about my bags getting stolen. Great recommendations around the city where guidebooks were outdated. I can't say enough about the staff and the entire experience. We spent the last few hours of our stay sitting up with the overnight guy just talking about Colombia. Can't wait for them to expand to Santa Marta!!

I was staying at a place in central Bogota, but felt really unsafe. That's when I encountered this hostal located in a very nice and centrally located area of Bogota. I stayed here for 5 days in mid June, and was absolutely pleased with the quality of the stay. Very nice house, and the staff was extremely nice and helpful. If you are looking for a great hostal, in a great safe location, at a very reasonable price, make it this one.