Caracol History

The Caracol started in January 2003 with the partial renovation of the 1st and 2nd floors of an old building in the heart of the Barrio de Santa Maria. The location was above an old alcoholic Gaditano and next door to the last brothel in town (Cafe los remedios) an ideal location that allowed the fun festivities and noise that beginnings are all about!

For the people who stayed during the first two years the hostel was quite a different place to the Caracol you find today! Co existing as it did with the old neighbour in the same building (though different entrance). Some may remember Juan Grimaldi living in the Caracol, the 60 year old deeply eccentric inventor, artist and all round renaissance man. There will be many people who were kept awake by the harsh cries of our neighbours plying their trade till the wee small hours! They finally closed early in 2009, and that space has now been taken over and transformed into our multimedia extension, the Caracol's Tail.

When the downstairs neighbour finally left we were able to renovate the ground floor. We rediscovered beautiful architectural features, added the bathroom, kitchen and reception area and put in the wood burning stove to take the chill out of the short winters (thanks Julian and Pete!).

The Caracol has evolved slowly since then with renovation of the 1st floor with its arches and new bathroom. The roof terrace has bloomed and as promised we have made a beautiful roof top bathroom ideal to take a refreshing shower in the sunshine! The hammocks are still the place to be to laze away your siesta or to sleep under the stars, some things haven't changed a bit!

The Caracol was a lot more disorganized and chaotic in the early days, we still have deep roots in this feeling we aim to keep the fun intact but have become somewhat more organized in keeping with our growing experience. One thing we don't want to change is the relaxed and warm atmosphere and the feel and vibe of the Caracol given by the staff who make the place what it is.

Thanks for the early years goes to Laura Stine and Julia and Mai, Timo, Che / Mutley, Don Simon, Lord Wakeham, Jools, Amy, Big gay Al, Princess Dave, Big C and many many more. A special thanks goes to the returning workers who randomly drop in a year or two down the line and stay! Colleen, Hops and Cam, Rene, Lord Wakeham Curly, Babs and Julia. Much love!

The Pirates

For those looking for peaceful double rooms we can recommend The Pirate's. Located next to the Cathedral it is in a refurbished 18th century 160m apartment with its own roof terrace garden and kitchen!