Secret Garden versus Chicago Hostel, Quito

Hi, I've narrowed it down to these two hostels for my five day stay in Quito in October, I'll be on my own so would like to stay somewhere with lots of people but not necessarily a crazy party place. Chicago seems to have cheaper rates for private rooms but if Secret Garden is really that amazing than I would pay the extra money! Also, I'm gonna be taking some spanish classes so was wondering if anyone had ever gotten Spanish lessons at either of these two places and what their experiences were like? Thanks a mill for any info!

I stayed in a nice single room in the Chicago Hostel with my own bathroom for just 6 USD a night (only 50c more than a dorm, apparently). While the privacy was nice, it was tough to meet people, the main socialising was done on the rooftop terrace where breakfast was served every morning. Although that was great, there wasn´t really any other common area. I kept hunting for the Secret Garden, though true to its name I never found it! Supposed to be great though, but whether it´s worth the price I don´t know.

I prefer Hostel Revolution in the old town, it is closer to the new town, has a bar, terrace, shared kitchen and a good atmosphere. Only $5.50 for a dorm bed. Secret Garden is very nice but charges $8 pus tax making it close to $9 for a dorm room. Also there is no kitchen and you need to buy your meals there. So depends what you want.

STAYED AT CHICAGO HOSTEL. GREAT VALUE FOR A SINGLE ROOM. NICE AND QUIET. I MET PEOPLE WHO STAYED AT SECRET GARDEN AND QUITE A PARTY PLACE. I WAS HAPPY WITH CHICAGO HOSTEL.

I stayed at Hostal Revolution for my first few nights here. It was small, but a bit too quiet, and the communal areas were small. I then moved to Casa Bambu (same area as Secret Garden and Hostal Revolution- see lonely planet guide). My husband and I got a great deal, we paid $160 for 1 month with a shared bathroom. There are 2 kitchens, and the biggest rooftop terrace in Quito! The place is not too crazy, but there are always lots of people to talk to. I have not stayed at the other 2 hostels, but a friend here said that Chicago hostal was too quiet, with no communal space, and that Secret Garden was expensive and loud, and he had a had time learing spanish there. I am taking classes from Vida Verde school, and I have head good things about Guyasamin too. I think you should take classes outside of the hostal so you aren{t stuck in the same place all day!

Secret Garden is nice for meeting other gringos, and pleasant in most every other way, but it is way overpriced. I would not stay there again for that reason, but I have nothing bad at all to say about the hostel itself; in fact it is one of the nicer ones I've stayed at. Be sure to reserve in advance if you want to stay there.

I stayed at www.posadadelmaple.com in the new town which I can highly recommend as it was really friendly, cheap with great breakfast. I visited some friends at Secret Garden which seemed like a definite party hostel, and is also Australian owned (I think, maybe Canadian?) so I would recommend you stay at the Chicago Hostel which is owned by an Ecuadorian family

I stayed at Secret Garden in October 06. I read all the reviews and was really looking forward to it but was genuinely dissappointed by the hostel. First off, their environmental efforts certainly have to be applauded. My real gripe about the place was the lack of communal spaces. The terrace was used for meals but only if you paid, you could not bring your own food in or use any of the plates cups etc. for your own food if you wanted to eat it in your dorm. They had dinner each night and sometimes local musicians. If you didn't want to go to this and weren't going out you were stuck in your dorm for the night. The only other communal area was an internet room with 3 computers and 3 chairs so you couldn't even sit in there and read. Everyone seemed to be in bed and asleep by 11pm. The terrace opened from 7am to 11pm and had constant loud music at night even if there was no one up there but the staff after 10pm. I was unfortunate in that my dorm room was directly beside the terrace so a lie in or an early night to catch a flight was impossible. It's in a great location though in the Old City but lack of space meant I wouldn't recommend it.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I think I'm gonna go for the Chicago hostel as not really up for a party place! Cheers