Matala Hostel in Matala

I stayed at this hostel for one night during a music festival, and I had a really positive experience. The room was clean, the staff were very polite and helpful, and they even provided me with an extra blanket when I asked. The location is excellent—right next to the bus stop, just a 5–7 minute walk to the beach, and close to the city center. The room had a proper renovation, the air conditioning worked perfectly, and I slept comfortably. Overall, I enjoyed my stay

Staff and guests were incredible and hospitable, made the experience one of my favourites at any stay!!! And the pool was lovely

excellent hostel, friendly people run by young people, they organise evenings such as eating out or pub crawls, etc. you can get a private room with a double bed and nice AC, there is a mini fridge, and right next to the bus stop if you are coming from heraklion bus station, you will have to change buses halfway through however

The staff were great...so helpful.

Decent, could use some renovation as well as more accurate cleaning. Volunteer staff are super friendly and helpful!
Bed bugs in my bed (maybe I was unlucky).

We stayed at the hostel for 3 days after renting a car from Heraklion, the main city. It’s just over a hour of a drive through the beautiful rural landscape - the drive in itself up the mountains is an experience in itself. There is such a charm driving through the canyon valley before we arrived and the middle the hostel is nicely set, nestled in the side of the canyon hill.

We arrived 5 hours before check in, hoping that we could at least drop our bags and wait however, even better, our rooms were ready and check in was seamless - 5 hours before we should be there!
The atmosphere there is magnanimous and easy going like Matala in general. The staff could not have been kinder and best of all, there was a resident hostel dog! He was the real surprise, living his best life panned out on the marble floors and at night, greeting us on our return after a fabulous session at the local bars.
Every time we walked through the lobby we were greeted and asked were we all good for everything.
The twin room we had was great, a balcony to gaze out towards the coast and comfortable beds. Even though it’s a hostel it felt like a hotel and the price was super affordable. Theres such a cathartic magic about Matala and it bleeds into this hostel. Even the halls are a dashed timeless white that circle around a tiny court yard with a tall tree that I’m sure could tell some amazing stories if it could speak.

We left early at 5am so there was naturally no one at reception but there were instructions on where to leave the keys, I left a written note of my thanks and I do the same again here.
However in saying that, we were leaving to catch our ferry, the receptionist (a lovely German fellow, I forget your name I’m sorry!) was pulling up to start the day - early as hell for most, kudos!
We left with full hearts, revitalised and happy, eager to return at some stage in the future. My best wishes to all who are reading this who have booked or have stayed here - you’re in for an easy breezy, chill time and will leave a changed person, with a pep in your stride. Matala you beaut!

This hostel - hotel has spacious clean rooms and the pool is very nice and clean. The common areas are ok but noisy so not recommended it for work. The management is absent.

May 2024. 4th time staying here.
They are small, but changes in the kitchen are for the better: there are separate shelves where guests can keep their things, which do not necessarily have to be in the fridge. In high season, just right!

May 2023. I stayed here for the third time. It was the beginning of the season, so despite booking an 8-person dorm, I was upgraded to a 6-person room at no extra charge (for 9 nights 7 days I was alone).
But if you plan to be in the hostel in high season, I'd rather avoid an 8-person dorm: it's too small for such a number of guests. However, when there are 5-6 - it can be acceptable. The bathroom has no air conditioning and no window, so be sure to keep the door open - this way, damp air and odours will disappear faster.
The hostel has a large kitchen, two fridges (note: in high season it can get overcrowded, so don't stock up on it), swimming pool. The location is perfect: it's close to everything; the bus stop from/to Heraklio is right in front of the hostel.
Working Wi-Fi (however, sometimes there may be connection problems), free sun umbrellas and "free shop corner" for guests, and a large common space on the ground floor.
Young nice multilingual service staff. On certain days of the week (ask at reception), the staff organizes various events. I HIGHLY recommend going out for a Greek sample dinner for only 10 euros at Sunset taverna (Ἡλιοβασίλεμα Ταβέρνα). You will taste many traditional Greek dishes along with wine and raki.