Carlos was super helpful throughout my 3 night stay, even when my transfer from Antigua didn’t collect me as arranged and I arrived much later than planned. For info, the hostel doesn’t have 24hr check-in (this was in the hotels.com listing but is incorrect - staff leave ~midnight).
Whether you go on one of his trips or not, he gives good advice re. the local area.
I don’t generally stay in hostels but the dorm was clean, quiet, relatively spacious, no bunks, and comfy. The kitchen has everything you need, including stove top espresso maker, and coffee is even provided. There’s also garlic, oil, loads of herbs etc. for use if you choose to cook. And snacks, cereal, yogurt, ice cream, beer, wine, from cupboards / fridges in an honour system.
I didn’t use the pool but there’s space to do yoga too.
Book any transfers out in advance - avoid Ticabus (the transfer to Managua, Nicaragua, was awful) - Carlos can help with this but not with the premium buses (which I never managed to figure out). The bus he’ll signpost you to for getting to San Salvador is a chicken bus ($1 per person and a further $1 per big bag) - if you have more than 1 bag, this is s horrible journey.
I would definitely stay here again if I came back to Santa Ana. There’s loads of stuff to do nearby, either independently or on a tour - the benefit of the tours is you see much more in a day. A 75 minute trip to the thermal waterfalls (just go!!) was a half day enterprise.