The Circle Hostel, La Union
Urbiztondo Road, San Juan, Luzon Philippines
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Full view
View all photos (96)96
Dining (9)
Room & Suite (3)
About
#2 of 24 Specialty lodging in San Juan
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
The Circle Hostel is a chain of budget friendly eco-hostels in the Philippines. We want to be a sanctuary for the artsy and the adventurous where people can express themselves freely among each other and on our walls. Because at the Circle Hostel, there are no strangers. Our bunk-houses are all fan-cooled and in dormitory style. You can opt between an all-female dorm or the co-ed one. Or go for an ergonomic hammock with a built-in mosquito netting. Our bathrooms have hot/cold showers and out toilets have bidets. Not too shabby for a hostel! ;) Breakfast is a simple meal of fresh bread, spreads and bananas.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Parking
Free internet
Wifi
Free breakfast
Non-smoking hotel
Shared bathroom
Room features
Safe
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Languages Spoken
English
Location
Full view
43Car recommended
Grade: 43 out of 100
39Restaurantswithin 1 km
1Attractionwithin 1 km
57Reviews4Q+A9Room tips
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 29
- 15
- 9
- 3
- 1
Time of year
Traveler type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Sort by:
Most Recent
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)
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Awesome place staff is awesome, very hospitable It’s well maintained, restrooms are clean and always restocked with tissue paper Price is cheap, but the experience is lavish LOVED MY STAY HERE! WILL DEFINITELY COME BACK 😎👍🏻
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We were supposed to spend few days here and the staff and the other guests are so nice that we spent around 10 days. The common areas are so welcoming that it's easy to meet so many people, as many locals as foreigners. We spent very nice nights sharing meals, playing game, singing, playing music. You can also just chill in the hammocks available. We loved the way the hostel is made, with recycled materials, and the dorms which are very open on the outside but protected from the insects thanks to mosquito nets on the beds. Thank you all the staff for giving us such a good time at La Union!
Read more
Date of stay: December 2018Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Thanks Mark for making it possible for me to experience new year in LU. Walked in and no reservations made; almost impossible to be accommodated since it was already new years eve. I thought it's going to be a lonesome new years day but ended having new friends and really enjoyed my stay. The introvert me learned to mingle and eventually found new friends. Superb staff and crew. Apir!! :)
Read more
Date of stay: January 2018Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
It's very barebones. It provides you a decent bed or hammock to sleep. Most of it is self service. One issue is the lack of electricity outlets, they only have them in one area, far from beds. Keep in mind that the hostel is right next to a bar that has loud music or live singing. Friday night, it lasted until 3AM.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2018Trip type: Traveled solo
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Avoid the beds facing the bars
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
The best thing about The Circle Hostel is its affordable price. Good for backpackers, but not for oldies who cannot endure climbing up stairs and double- or triple-deck bunkbeds. No wifi, though understable, because part of the advocacy of the place is meeting new friends and engaging in worthy conversations in the common area. Downside: You have to cross the highway to get to the beach. And the street gets really muddy during the rainy season.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2018Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kage G, Social Media at The Circle Hostel, La Union
Responded 2 Sep 2018
Thanks for your review. To clarify though, we do actually have WiFi available for all guests. But we do encourage people to get off their phones and enjoy the moment and live in the now.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I can’t believe how many friends I made when my best friend and I stayed here. This is an amazing place if you are a spontaneous back packer who wish to meet people and make friends! It is uncomfortable to sleep but we didn’t actually wanted to sleep anyways because we were having so much fun! Warning: Not for those who want comfortable beddings and facilities!
Read more
Date of stay: September 2017Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kage G, Social Media at The Circle Hostel, La Union
Responded 18 Jul 2018
Thanks for your feedback. We are glad you enjoyed your time at the hostel.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My friends and I were generally okay with the place. What we loved most was the openness of the other guests at the hostel and interaction with people outside our circle. Timely, there was even a free Fire show! :) What we were disappointed in most were the rooms and your lack of policy for PWD discounts for reservations. The mosquito nets did nothing to protect my friends and myself from getting insect bites in the middle of the night even after applying insect repellant. The mosquito nets already have large holes which did nothing to protect us. Some of my friends preferred to sleep in the common area because it was cooler and they did not experience any insect bites there. The electric fans do not reach or are to weak to reach certain bunk beds. If the bed is far from the ceiling fans, most likely you'd be sweating at night especially during the summer season. As for the PWD discount issue, it is part of the law to honor PWD/Senior cards and grant them their respective 20% discount. Lodging establishments are number 1 on the list under Section 32 of Republic Act No. 7277. One of my friends is a PWD and she was NOT granted this privilege just because we reserved our booking via email (Apparently, the discount only applies to walk-ins). I understand that it would be difficult to track this for long distant/online transactions but there should have been a way to get around that be it present the card when we get there or provide the number (in which case, many establishments do). I don't think that is too difficult.…
Read more
Date of stay: May 2018Trip type: Traveled with friends
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Wifi is only in the common room area; sleeping quarters have no wifi
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kage G, Social Media Team at The Circle Hostel, La Union
Responded 31 May 2018
Hi Carla, Thanks for your feedback, esp regarding your concern over the PWD discount. We have cascaded all of this to the Head Office. - The Social Media Team
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I had a great time at the hostel. It's my first time to experience staying in one. I went with friends and it was a perfect place for chilling. Made some new friends too. I like how the newly made bathroom was made from eco-bricks. Toilets are brand new with bidet and there is always tissue. Common room is the best place to chill as there are a lot of fans and no walls. It's a lot cooler compared to staying in the bunks where the electric fan doesnt hit. Great place to meet new people and hang with friends. Note that some bunks are TRIPLE deckers. Be wise to choose the lowest bunk as the electric fan only reaches some of the bunks. The 3rd bunk is hard to climb, if you've had too much to drink, but it has the best access to electric fan as it's closer to the ceiling. It's hard to stay here during summer as the heat can get really unbearable during the day. It only slightly improves at night. Was able to cook lunch by going to the wet market to buy meat and grill it in the hostel. Gotta pay 50 pesos for every time you use their gas stove too. Be mindful of the flies, as the kitchen too is an open area. Breakfast is nothing impressive. It's just mini pandesals with peanut butter and bananas. Good thing I packed some sausages and corned beef. Always clean as you go, including upon check out by returning the bedsheets in the laundry bin. All in all, I had a great time. Just wish it wasn't so hot. I would suggest they install some mist in their electric fans to keep the place cool. The heat could get really unbearable during summer. …
Read more
Date of stay: May 2018Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kage G, Social Media Team at The Circle Hostel, La Union
Responded 28 May 2018
Thanks for your feedback!
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This hostel made me feel like having a home away from home. I ended up staying almost 2 weeks instead of planned couple of days, because of the good vibes and cosy atmosphere. At Circle you always find friends to surf, chill or go party with! Special thanks to the hostel manager Marc, who made sure that everyone had a good time and was always ready to help with any questions I had. One of the highlights of my stay was Marc’s cookings, for sure the best dinner in town for a very fair price ^.^ I really fell in love with this place and will visit the other Circle hostels in Zambales and Baler for sure! Highly recommend Circle for anyone to stay in La union (travelling solo or not), it’s a good place to start your holiday and get to know what’s going on in the town :-)
Read more
Date of stay: February 2018Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kage G, Social Media Manager at The Circle Hostel, La Union
Responded 23 Feb 2018
Thanks for joining the Circle! We had a great time having you with us.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$10 - US$14 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PhilippinesLuzonIlocos RegionLa Union ProvinceSan Juan
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingTHE CIRCLE HOSTEL, LA UNION - Reviews & Price Comparison (San Juan, Philippines) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about The Circle Hostel, La Union
Which popular attractions are close to The Circle Hostel, La Union?
Nearby attractions include Lockedin La Union (0.9 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Circle Hostel, La Union?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, free parking, and free internet access.
What food & drink options are available at The Circle Hostel, La Union?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at The Circle Hostel, La Union?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Circle Hostel, La Union?
Conveniently located restaurants include Gefseis Greek Grill, El Union Coffee, and Coast Call Kitchen & Bar.