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4.0
#2 of 11 hostels in San Juan
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From our rustic roots of simple accommodations in traditional huts, we are now a boutique hostel that is designed to offer comfort and coziness, providing the perfect space to sleep and rest. What truly sets us apart and pay homage to our mission are our common areas. They are intentionally crafted to encourage interaction, creativity, and community building. Whether you’re lounging in our common rooms, joining a surf session, or participating in one of our many events, you’ll find countless opportunities to meet like-minded individuals and create lasting connections. At The Circle Hostel, we believe in the power of community and the magic that happens when people come together. Our spaces are not just about accommodation; they are about creating an environment where guests can share experiences, learn from one another, and build meaningful relationships.
The Circle Hostel, Circle Hostel Road, San Juan, Luzon 2514 Philippines
The Circle Hostel, La Union
57 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Indeed a place to be recommended! The people in the hotel are very friendly and would assist you in your inquiries. Way beyond my expections, I could see in blogs/vlogs about backpacker inns, in here I felt I was home.
Very accessible Near the beach Near food & beverage area ( they also serve food)
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Circle Hostel is a unique open-air hostel that's very near the beach in La Union. I stayed there overnight with friends and we enjoyed our stay a lot. We spent a lot of time in the common area--it's a huge space where all guests congregate, so even if you travel alone, you won't be by yourself for long.
There's always something to do in the Circle Hostel. The owners hold a yoga session, and they're more than happy to arrange surfing lessons for you + snorkeling as well. You'll be given a chance to create an artwork as well anywhere in the hostel premises. If you're with friends, you can also have a drinking session, like we did.
Beds are inexpensive (with free breakfast), and if you want to save more, you can just get the hammock. Wifi is fast and the staff are responsive. All in all, a good hostel to stay in for the price.
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Date of stay: June 2013Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great location, great ambiance; overall a great experience except for a few little things that bugged me.
I stayed here for about a week and I had an amazing time. Surfing and eating are the only things to do but you won't need anything else.
The hostel was a bit picky with money though. Things like paying for a towel and deposit for towels and sheets is annoying. Also the way they noted how much people owed was stupid and lead to mistakes. The hostel in general seems like it wants to squeeze every cent out of you.
The new manager is a great guy though so hopefully those things will change in the future!
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Date of stay: December 2014Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We choose this hostel because of the good review, so we stayed here for two days. However if you are the kind of person that cleanliness is important this place is not for you. Sure this is a budget hostel-backpackers place but hey THE management still needs to CLEAN. I rather not to take a shower really its dirty... this is the worst place I've stayed in any hostel or backpakers place here in Philippines. Hope they improved this...
The only thing I like here is the staff are helpful to us and the look of the hostel in IG is attractive.. haha
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Date of stay: September 2016
Value
Rooms
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The circle is a nice idea. It looks pretty and artsy on pictures. But in reality it is a place without a soul. The staff does not care about the visitors at all. Mattresses are dirt cheap and dirty. For breakfast you can fish a dry piece of bread out of a container and spread it with some peanut butter. The toilet is dark and dirty. Really the owner/staff do not seem to care at all about the customer experience of this place. It is cheap (P500-700) but it is bad value for money nonetheless. Pretty much any other place in La Union is better taken care of and offers better value for money
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Date of stay: April 2016
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When my friend showed me their website, I immediately fell in love with place. Seeing the real thing gave me that assuring feeling that this vacation is going to be different from the typical ones I usually have.
Circle hostel is the perfect definition of simple, laid back and budget-friendly. It's slogan "There are no strangers" proves that all travelers who stay makes at least one, two or more friends before they leave. In my case, not only did I make friends... But unforgettable memories too. Take this one for the road. :)
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Date of stay: August 2013Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed here for 3 days and 2 night. Meet new people local tourist and foreigners. They have breakfast.. light breakfast for you to start the day. 5mins away from the beach, near restaurants and bars. You may also cooked ur own food. San Juan market is 10min and San Fernando market 15min away, accessible by jeep or tricycle. Common area is always my favorite spot, i slept well on their beanbags. Staffs are also accomodating. I'll stay here again nexttime. 😊 Good job circle!!!
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Date of stay: May 2017Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The idea is nice: an artsy, sociable hostel for budget travellers. Pros: it's affordable, the beds are fine, the common area is a handy way to meet people (if you're travelling solo), it's in a good location off the main road, and they provide free water
Cons: The staff are pretty disinterested and unhelpful, the "breakfast" consists of a piece of bread you can put peanut butter on, it gets bright and hot very early (but what do you expect if you're sleeping outside?). I enjoyed my time there and would probably stay again, but I just wish the breakfast could be slightly better and the staff could be friendlier/more helpful. Also, if you arrive between 9pm and 6am, there is nobody at reception so you cannot check in - but you can grab some sleep in the hammocks in the common area so it's OK. Tip: bring a padlock so you can lock your valuables in one of the lockers. They don't sell padlocks nearby, you need to take a jeepney into San Fernando town to buy one there.
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Date of stay: May 2016
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Â Pay a little bit extra for a bed instead of a hammock.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My friend and I went to La Union spontaneously. The Circle Hostel was recommended to me by a friend and it did not disappoint. This is a place for the surfer-backpacker where you can enjoy open-air accommodation with a spacious common area complete with hammocks, bean bags and pillows. They provide a bed sheet, blanket, pillow and pillowcases, and mosquito net for you to tuck on the bunk bed yourself. You can also buy drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and other bath essentials at the lobby counter. They have a common bathroom for men and women which is clean and well-maintained. They also offer free simple breakfast consisting of banana, bread and marmalade. There is a restaurant at the main road but it's opening/closing hours is quite unpredictable.
Since we went on a weekday, there were only a few guests. We had the chance to mingle with them and the friendly locals. The staff, especially Kuya Larry and Ate, was very helpful and accommodating. Kuya Larry is also a great surf instructor!
The Circle Hostel is not located at the beach so you have to walk in your swimsuit and cross the main road for you to get to the beach and back to the hostel. The nearest landmark is Moonleaf Tea Shop.
Overall, if you're on a tight budget or if you just want to mingle with fellow backpackers, Circle Hostel is the right place for you.
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Date of stay: July 2014
Rooms
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Most affordable accommodation in La Union. There are bunk beds and hammocks. This is not for you if extreme comfort is your priority. I was asked how I tolerated being in the same bunk with strangers. It's not everyday that you do something beyond the daily routine. Traveling is all about breaking the balance.
There is a common bath and shower. Power supply for charging is available in a common lounge for guests. Note that Circle is not located in the beach front but everything is accessible and just a walk away.
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Date of stay: May 2016
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the San Juan area.
PRICE RANGE
₹4,110 - ₹5,955 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PhilippinesLuzonIlocos RegionLa Union ProvinceSan Juan
NUMBER OF ROOMS
22
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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