This is not the nicest, newest, or fanciest hostel I have seen.  After all, this is Patagonia.  There is not much that is shiny and new.

This is a hostel that made me feel comfortable.

I felt like I was surrounded by friends I had known for years.  In addition, they have thought of all the little things we backpackers appreciate while on the road far away from home.

I am talking about Erratic Rock in Puerto Natales.

I do not think I have ever written a post specifically about a hostel until now.  Yes, I list hostels in the Travel Tips pages if I think they are a good value.  I have mentioned a hostel as an important part of my experience in a location.

But this was different. 

My stay at Erratic Rock is what defined my experience in Puerto Natales.  It was my introduction to Chile.  The tragedy of the fire in Torres del Paine completely threw me off balance.

It was a strange time for me.  I felt paralyzed. 

I got out of my morning running routine.  I wrote very little.  I took few photos.  I cooked few meals for myself.

When you go to the Erratic Rock Hostel web page, it says, “Tell your friends.  Don’t tell the guide books.”  And that’s not a gimmick.  The owner Bill, an Oregon transplant, has actually written letters to the guide books requesting that his hostel is NOT included in their publications.

So I’m telling my friends about this awesome place.

8 Reasons I Love Erratic Rock

1 – Awesome breakfast.

Omelet, a thick slice of homemade bread, butter, homemade jam, yogurt, cereal, milk, tea, coffee (the REAL stuff!).

2 – Great collection of movies.

Because of the fire, the hostel was full of people waiting to hear the latest news.  We passed the time watching lots of “classics.”  Pretty Woman, Cliffhanger, and many more.

3 – Best book exchange I have ever seen.

Not only do they have a lot of English books, the selection is actually good.  I picked up Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

4 – Organized and orderly.

Bill and all of the staff are laid-back people.  But they are also on top of everything and have solid routines and practices to keep this busy hostel running smoothly.

There are rules, and they are posted everywhere.  More importantly, they are enforced.  If you are making noise in a quiet zone too late, a staff member will politely ask you to move the conversation.

Have an early bus in the morning? Just let Bill know you need to attend Early Breakfast 1 or Early Breakfast 2.  He would not want you to head out with enjoying a great breakfast.

The dorms actually get fully cleaned every afternoon because one of the rules is that guests should move all of their belongings off the floor and onto their beds during a set time period.

The kitchen is orderly and clean.  There is a marker attached to the refrigerator, so you can clearly label and date your food.  The contents of the refrigerator and pantry area are reviewed every day.  There is a clearly marked “free food bin” for people to use, of which I took full advantage.

There is always soap, toilet paper, and a hand towel in every bathroom.

5 – Adorable hostel cats.

Usually, I am a little worried when there are animals in a hostel.  But these cats are clean, friendly, and adorable.  My first night I was sitting in my bed working on my laptop, and this cute little guy hopped right up, laid across my arms, closed his eyes, and started purring.  I kept on typing, and he didn’t mind at all.

6 – They  don’t just care about the environment.  They are helping YOU do YOUR part.

They recycle and have clearly marked bins for types of recyclables and organic materials for compost.

They are a member and active supporter of Leave No Trace, an organization that teaches people to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

The Erratic Rock equipment rental shop next door has a bin of free gear for people to donate and re-use (e.g. sleep pads).  They also coordinate a recycling program for the gas cans used for camping stoves.

During their 3pm trekking information session, in addition to telling you about the treks, the accommodation options, the food options, and the climate, they educate you on how to be a responsible trekker.  I fully appreciated this because I am new to the multi-day trekking, especially in this type of environment.

7 – The people rock.

Bill is the heart and soul of this place.  He loves this area.  He has surrounded himself with a staff that is mostly made up of volunteers who are travelers themselves.  They KNOW what makes a good hostel.

Everyone is helpful and friendly and has a positive attitude.  Even during the chaos of the fire, Bill and his staff were calm and kept the hostel running in an orderly way.  They did their best to help anyone they could.  Since all the hostels were filling up, stranded backpackers were invited to sleep on couches and the floor. 

They answered the question, “What is the status of the fire?” about a million times and never with even a hint of irritation or exasperation.

This hostel attracts the type of travelers I like to be around.

Even though people were upset and stressed about the park, quick friendships were made, drinks and stories were shared.

8 – Base Camp Pub is next door.

Many of those stories and drinks were shared next door at Base Camp.

The drinks are affordable.  The atmosphere is great.  There was even a reggae band one night.  The hostel staff cooked up tasty food that made for a cheap dinner a couple of nights.

Even though I did not get to visit Torres del Paine, I will fondly remember my stay at Erratic Rock.

Has a hostel ever played a critical role in your travels?

Travel Tip:  I have discovered how great hostels can be during my travels in Latin America.  They are also a good option for visiting big cities in the US.  Check out New York City Hostels to save on accommodations and meet other travelers.