It might be geared toward travelers on a budget, but the Zohar Hostel manages a surprising amount of style. This small, quiet, and intimate hostel isn’t for those looking for a party scene, but the two-story colonial-era building has an impressive brick frontage, and the bright and eccentric interiors sport a bohemian vibe. In the small, charming lobby, there are pale blue walls, terra-cotta floor tiling, and mismatched rustic-style deckchairs. Bright wall art, trinkets, and live plants add interest. The tall whitewashed colonial-style wooden doors, with pale-blue detailing are a highlight, while attractive red-carpet-lined wooden stairs lead up to the pleasant internal balcony. Bedrooms are available from this space, and there’s parquet-style wood flooring, and a large skylight that keeps the whole place bright.

An excellent location only adds further value to Zohar Hostel. It's located on a narrow, fairly quiet street right at the center of the downtown Candelaria District, so it's within easy walking distance from restaurants, bars, and many of Bogota’s historic attractions.

• Two-minute walk to Botero Museum, Colon Theater, Luis Angel Arango Library, and Church of Our Lady of Candelaria
• Three-minute walk to Museum of Colonial Art
• Four-minute walk to Cathedral of Colombia
• Five-minute walk to Bolivar Square and Independence Museum
• Seven-minute walk to Casa de Nariño
• 11-minute walk to Gold Museum and bus terminal
• Six minutes to Monserrate mountain by car
• 20 minutes to El Dorado Airport by car (51 minutes by public transportation)

The Zohar Hostel offers a variety of quiet accommodations, ranging from six-bed mixed-gender dorms to private rooms with either en-suite or shared bathrooms (some rooms have private toilets, but share communal showers). Private rooms are largely bright and spacious. Many feature handsome wood-paneled flooring (others have less attractive brown linoleum-like tiling, or shabbier red carpet), and either pale blue walls with ornate white frame accent detailing, or white patterned wallpaper. The most attractive rooms feature intricately carved dark-wood bed frames and headboards, elegant freestanding bedside tables, and gorgeous antique-style dressing tables with marble-effect countertops and large mirrors. Pink-and-yellow striped deep-file rugs are bright and playful but still feel cheap. A number of rooms also have built-in wooden closets. Some private rooms have tall French doors leading to small unfurnished balconies with decent street views, while others have contemporary blinds at smaller windows. Dorms have basic black-wood bunks, all with individual night lights.

Private en-suite bathrooms are decent. They sport a mix of white-and-blue tiling and blue painted walls, along with some less-than-perfect plastering and painting. There are simple walk-in showers with fixed showerheads, and pump toiletries. Shared bathrooms are similar but look more worn and include white wall-mounted sinks. Shower stalls have seen better days.

Amenities are fairly comprehensive for a budget property. All private rooms and dorms have flat-screen cable TVs and free Wi-Fi, while private rooms provide bathrobes. 

For a small budget hostel, the Zohar offers a decent range of facilities. The continental breakfast garners generally good reviews (but it’s not always included in room rates), and guests get free all-day tea and coffee, plus use of a small, basic shared kitchen equipped with a microwave and fridge. Note that there isn't any other food or drink service available. Comprehensive 24-hour security includes video-phone controlled entry. Both the owner/operator and hostel staff get consistent praise for offering helpful, friendly service. There are computers in the lobby for guests to use, and reliable Wi-Fi is free throughout.