Workaway reviews, feedback and ratings - page 17

I spent one wonderful week with Dave, Katie, and their kids Delilah and Freddie (and of course their dog Snip and cat Tiko)! The view overlooking their house onto the water and nearby islands is beautiful and experiencing island life was so fun. I mostly helped by watching Delilah (reading, going to the park, playing) and preparing some meals. Dave and Katie are very hands on and want you to do things you are comfortable with doing which is great. I was able to take a day trip to the nearby Stradebroke island which was lovely and enjoyed seeing a new part of the country! Dave and Katie are kind, warm, positive friendly people and I was lucky enough to have many happy memories with them. I already miss our walks on the beach and conversations we had during mealtime. I wish them all the best and hope our paths will cross again soon!

I spent four months with Regine and it was such a wonderful time. After all the stress from school, it was a real change of pace. I wanted to see something new and learn new things, and that’s exactly what I got. I was able to take so much away from my stay, in terms of horses, but also for life in general. The little town of Guardamar is really lovely. It’s not huge, but it has everything you need: lots of nice restaurants and many cafés. My tip: definitely check out La Nube! ;) On top of that, Regine always spoiled me with delicious meals. And the beach is right at the doorstep!! The finca and its horses are simply beautiful. Each horse has its own character, and that’s completely okay. Sometimes it’s a lot of work, but Dorothea and Pedro never leave you on your own. I was able to learn so much by observing Dorothea’s way of working with the horses. I’m just really happy that I had the courage to try something completely new. And one thing I can say for sure: Guardamar has not seen the last of me!

I’ve experienced WWOOF, Workaway, and HelpX, and have met many different hosts, but Andrew was the first host I met who truly prioritised communication. I had a genuinely happy time staying at Andrew’s home. Because he values conversation so much, he is a natural storyteller and knows many fascinating stories. His home itself is also full of history and stories, which made the experience even more meaningful. I especially enjoyed our endless conversations about coffee and plants. He is also incredibly patient. He always waited until I had finished speaking, which made it easy for me to speak English comfortably without feeling awkward or rushed. He is an excellent coffee specialist. As someone who has studied coffee, I can confidently say that his coffee is outstanding. Being able to enjoy the coffee he brewed every day was a real joy. He is also a master of slow cooking. By generously providing healthy ingredients, he helped me restore my disrupted biorhythm and feel balanced again. Although his home is a little far from the city, this was never an inconvenience. Andrew was an amazing “Workawayer Uber driver🚖” always happy to pick me up or drop me off at the station. Thanks to his constant support, travelling to new places was easy and stress-free, and I’m truly grateful for that. His home is also very clean and well maintained. Cleanliness and hygiene are important to me, and at some places I’ve stayed before, I found it hard to sleep deeply. At Andrew’s place, everything was consistently tidy and clean, which allowed me to fully relax and rest with peace of mind. Staying in his peaceful bamboo forest home made it easy to enjoy deep, restorative rest. I spent New Year’s Eve, the beginning of the New Year, and even my birthday at Andrew’s home. I’m truly grateful that he made these meaningful days even more special and memorable. It’s hard to list all of his strengths, but having experienced many hosts through different work exchange and cultural exchange programs, I can confidently say that Andrew’s home was the place where I felt most comfortable resting, connecting, and truly exchanging culture. Until we meet again — “Still alive!” You know what I mean. 🙂

Pauline was a delight to host. She was capable, motivated, proactive and very easy company. She fitted into our household very well and coped well socially with the many staying guests that came and went over her time with us . She saw what needed doing and just got on with it. Her English is good and she followed conversation well. She always seemed to enjoy whatever we did whether it was work or sightseeing or hiking etcetera - everything was done with a smile and when asked how she liked it the answer was always a convincing "perfect". I highly recommend her.

I stayed 1 and a half mounths and it was absolutely fantastic ! Amazing, generous and kind people. The place is very impressive and inspiring. Really one of a kind experience. Poland is a very beautiful and cool country. I have nothing bad to say. Thank you so much <3 Punk is not dead !!!!!!

We enjoyed our stay with Lian and Kieran a lot. We stayed for almost one week and helped on the one hand in the garden with trimming the hedges and moving firewood, on the other hand we helped weeding on their other property next to the beautiful river. Lian and Kieran were very welcoming and kind and gave us a lot of advices where to go in our freetime and we just loved to explore the area by bike, kayak or going somewhere for a hike or swim. Their daughter Ophelia is very sweet and we had a lot of fun. We totally recommend staying with them :-)

Romane was such a pleasure to host! She warmed to her first kiwi family experience, and embraced every opportunity to immerse herself in daily life ~ meal times were especially full of pleasure.. She was focused and determined to complete tasks to highest standard. I highly recommend her to future hosts.

We stayed for a week after getting in touch with Vishal and Aditi via Whatsapp. After seeing so many wonderful reviews, we were looking forward to meeting them, despite the last review being from 2023. They gave us all the information necessary on how to arrive (contact info for a driver familiar with the farm; 1000 rupee rickshaw ride from Chikkamagaluru). When we arrived, it turned out that Vishal and Aditi were not at the farm, but in Calcutta for a family emergency, so unfortunately we weren't able to meet them, which was a big bummer for us. I was particularly interested in talking with them about the organic/regenerative aspect of the farm as well as some of their conservation initiatives. We completely understand that these things can't be planned for, so we wish them well and hope to return some day to meet them in person :). The rest of this review will focus on the farmstay itself. We were greeted by two of the local staff, Ganesh and Sheshi, two young guys that do general cleaning and some of the coffee processing. They were joined by Stefan, the new property manager. It sounds like none of the staff that appears in the previous reviews are there anymore, and these guys are recent hires. The staff were very accommodating and easy to get along with, despite not speaking much English. We actually enjoyed very much learning some Kannada and trying to communicate with them. Stefan, who does speak more English, was very accommodating during our stay, gave us some tasks, and helped out with the cooking, as there was no cook for half of the stay. We also helped with cooking and cleaning the kitchen before a new cook, Pavatri, and her family arrived. Pavatri quickly became the heart and soul of the place, with her wonderful cooking, her big smile, and her adorable son Bargo. She immediately cleaned up the kitchen, which was quite dirty and disorganized when we arrived. Stefan was kind enough to invite us to participate in a pooja (ceremony) he and his family held with the farm cows one afternoon, as well as walking to one of the local waterfalls together. Definitely one of the highlights of the stay. Stefan also introduced us to Maesh, the supervisor of the coffee harvesting. We had a few great afternoons talking with him while picking coffee cherries (this was January, so full coffee harvesting season). The previous reviews are accurate in saying that the location is truly spectacular. The grounds are really beautiful, with flowers, ponds, and abundant birds + wildlife everywhere you look (note: look out for ticks; we were bit by a couple, which we later found out is quite common in these mountains. Wear long pants/shirts in the forests and do tick checks, these things can carry some nasty diseases). The various rooms and buildings are well-thought out, if rustic. But the views from some of the rooms are just amazing (Sunbird room!). You can tell that some of these buildings could use a little bit more attention in terms of cleanliness and organization (there is evidence of mold under mattresses, for example, and sheets should be washed more often). I'm sure that with a bit more time, this new crew can get this place up to its full potential. Most of our time was dedicated to general cleaning, picking up trash, participating in coffee processing activities (though not a huge amount to do beyond picking), and washing the many windows, which had accumulated a lot of algae/moss over the months of monsoon. Guests should be able to enjoy the beautiful views much more easily now! I think if the work were a little bit more well-defined and organized, volunteers' time could be used more efficiently. We consistently asked how we could help and ultimately just did the things that seems obvious to us (washing windows, cleaning, cooking). Overall, it was a pleasant stay in a stunning location with very friendly and kind locals. With a little bit of guidance on cleanliness and organization/communication around tasks, this would easily be a 5-star review. Once again, we wish Aditi and Vishal the best and would love to meet them one day. They sound like super interesting people. Best wishes, K+M

I cannot express enough how grateful I am to Ramon and Paula for hosting me. The five days I spent here have become unforgettable memories. They always thought about how to make my stay better and sincerely listened to me, even though my English is not very good. They truly valued the time we spent together. We talked a lot during meals and tea time, and I really enjoyed watching Japanese anime and movies together with them. My main tasks were helping to lay the stone pavement in the garden and helping Paula's vintage clothes shop, and both were truly enjoyable and valuable experiences for me. They always prepared delicious Southern Italian meals, which became something I really looked forward to every day. Thank you so, so much from the bottom of my heart. 本当に素敵な滞在でした。 ラモンとパウラはとても日本に関心があり、日本の文化などについてたくさん話をしました。彼らはいつも私の滞在がより良い経験になるようにと、街に連れて行ってくれたり、一緒にマーケットへ行ったり、カフェで名物のスイーツを食べさしてくれたり、家で南イタリアの美味しいお肉や野菜、魚、手作りのパンを食べさせてくれたりしました。そのどれもが新しい経験で忘れられない思い出です。仕事というよりまとも、共に過ごす時間を大切にしており、友人のお家にお邪魔しているような、そんな気持ちになります。Rossanoのポツンと一軒家ではありますが、大自然の中で田舎暮らしを楽しく体験することができます。

Aw Jesssi!!! sorry about the late feedback which is only due to not having had internet for some time, being on the road and sick etc... Jessi's been great on all levels, really enjoyed having her company and help here with the harvest. She's a fab and fast learner and really got the job done which is so essential for us. We had such good laughs ( oh if chickens had all their eggs...) and hope she'll have the best of times on her further travels! All the best for now Jessi and thank you!!!! Antje and Pavlos

We stayed with Ahri and Ellen for three nights. They were super welcoming, sharing their food and knowledge with us. We spent most of our working hours out in the garden where we were building the chicken coup with Ahri, helping dig out the base, cut the wire and tie it to the fence. On our last day we even had the chance to go mango picking alongside Ahri which we had a blast doing!! Overall we had a great experience and both feel we've learnt so much. Thank you both again. 🙏🏼

This workaway with Nicky and Richard was such a great time ! Work ? I only remember beautiful vegetables that we were so glad to grow and to eat (amazingly prepared by Nicky), new things to learn every day, great moments and laughs shared, a meaningful project and a wonderful place to rest before going back to travel. Don't hesitate to contact them, they will welcome you as part of their family, and you'll have an insight into the real kiwi countryside life.

Since the beginning of my journey here in New Zealand, I’ve been trying to master the whole “going with the flow” thing. That’s what first caught my eye in Jan’s profile description, among other interesting facts about her life. I’m glad I listened to my heart and got in touch with her — I have so many fond memories of the time spent in the Bay of Islands. I really enjoyed our chilled evenings, having dinner together and watching TV shows. Jan is an amazing cook, and every meal she prepared for us was delicious! The work mainly involved gardening and sometimes some household chores. This Workaway experience showed me how much time and dedication is needed to maintain such a well-kept garden. Since I left, I can’t stop imagining what my own garden will look like in the future — I’ve certainly taken up a new hobby. Jan has a great group of friends, and it was so much fun hanging out with them. I can’t wait to come back to the Bay of Islands and listen to some live music together again! Thank you, Jan! I'm sending lots of hugs from the South Island. I hope you enjoy the summer to the fullest - I can't wait to see you again!

Our time could have really not been better ! From the beginning the communication and organisation with James was really easy and reassuring. We came as a couple and did the yoga classes as well as the social hosting together. The Hostel is amazing, really chill vibe and the people are great. All the staff was always helpful and welcoming. We can only recommend this place for anyone wanting to volunteer. It would be a place that I would feel comfortable and safe to go to as a solo female traveller. Thanks to James, Iranga, Lawrence and the whole team for this great exchange. We will be back ❤️

I was volunteering here during a week , helping them with marketing and interacting with guests . And I really love ❤️ this place . Everything was perfect - the hotel is clean and comfortable , the staff is very friendly and most of them speak English well , they serve nice breakfast for guests for free , and make very delicious tea and coffee ☕️. The WiFi works well everywhere and there are many chargers, including common area (which is suitable to work with laptop 💻) . I stayed first night in private room and then in the dorm (which I even liked more - it's so cozy , with privacy curtains , chargers, and there is a balcony where I did my exercises every morning 💪. The hotel is located close to the main bus station , but on a quite street , and it's not noisy here at night (I slept next to the window and felt myself well) . What I really like is their approach to guests - they explain everything about the tours in details (telling what is included and what is not very clearly, the guests always know what they pay for ) , they give recommendations about places to visit and can give a personal plan , if you want to ride a motorbike yourself . But most of guests choose a tour with local drivers , because it's safer and more relaxing . All the guests I talked with after the tour were satisfied. They have different tour options from 1 to 4 days . Their website is informative, and Instagram , YouTube and TikTok are full of amazing content (each guests has a chance to become superstar ✨️ ). Also, they help to organise transfer to/from Hanoi, and the buses come under the hotel , while waiting the bus , guests can relax in the common area , drink tea/coffee and take shower . Me , as a volunteer , I really appreciated their shared lunches and dinners and flexibility of my work hours and tasks . Many Thanks 🙏 to Tom , Lee , Mai (I really appreciate the Lucky Cat 🐈 you presented me ) , Thanh , Hong , Hoang , Hoa , and all of others which names I don't remember , sorry 😅 (I hope I wrote your names correctly and didn't mixed up with you surnames😹) . I wish you good luck 👍 ✨️.

I enjoyed my time at the hostel. It is a calm and relaxed place and it was great to use the yoga space. Damian is a very kind and interesting person, interested to spend time with the volunteers and to eat together in the evening - we had a lot of good talks all together. The other stuff is very nice, too. I am very happy to have met you Pia, Ivan and Elias. I was helping in the kitchen, at the bar and serving the guests, as well as filling some mural painting, another volunteer had drawn. You have to take a taxi for 1,50-2 dollars from Olon to get to the hostel. If you want to have some party you can take a taxi to Montañita.

I had a truly wonderful inaugural experience staying with David. He is an exceptional person and a memorable host who genuinely enjoys sharing his land, expertise, and way of life. During my time at the Farm, I unplugged in the best way possible. David was generous with his knowledge of agriculture and off-grid living, taking time to explain the reasoning behind why things are done a certain way—from how girdling can eventually take down a tree, to how strategic pruning can encourage healthier growth and increased fruit production. Working both together and independently, I helped with things like feeding ducks, tending to the chickens, gathering firewood, harvesting turmeric, picking & processing muscadines, as well as sourcing food waste from the local co-op to use as compost for the farm. All this & more demonstrated firsthand the closed-loop approach to gardening and land care that I believe we are all capable of. Many aspects of my visit felt deeply inspiring and genuinely hope-inducing. Moreover, the property itself is absolutely beautiful! Quiet and peaceful, with a variety of trees, lots of birds, a creek, mountain views & stunning stargazing after dark. Also to my delight, much of what we ate came straight from his food garden—fresh, abundant, and delicious. Cooking on the wood stove was a huge highlight; the meals were simple, nourishing, and especially memorable. As for accommodations: I slept on a real mattress inside a tent on the covered back deck/porch, which was surprisingly comfortable & had enough room to share with my dog—who had an amazing time as well, making friends and clearly feeling at home on the grounds. David also took the time to show us around downtown, which I really appreciated & felt added a nice balance to the experience. Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better very first Workaway experience. I’m deeply grateful for the time spent here and would highly recommend staying with David to anyone who wants to learn, contribute meaningfully, and be part of a unique place with an equally one-of-a-kind owner. I sincerely hope to return as soon as time & fate allows. Thank you, David!

Reka is a person with a strong sense of responsibility and lenguage ability . She is competent, efficient and helpful and should be recommended to any future Workaway Host. Thank you Reka for your outstanding contributions.

We’re so grateful to Luisa and Patty for how welcoming they were - we couldn’t have asked for a better first stay on our trip! Experiencing the whole olive harvest process was a huge highlight for us, and we definitely recommend it to anyone considering it. We got to explore the sweet town of Perdifumo and the nearby town of Agropoli. While we were there we got to swim at the beach and eat amazing pizza. There were even Roman ruins we explored in Paestum! We felt so spoiled between Patty’s lunches from around the world, nighttime sauna sessions, and cuddles with their two cats. Luisa and Patty genuinely inspire us with the way they live their everyday life and they have given us a very cool blueprint for being able to prioritize travel and community at the same time. We’re already scheming up ways to come back to visit! We highly recommend this Workaway to anyone who wants to experience the olive harvest, slow down their life a little, and enjoy life in the beautiful town of Perdifumo.

Hitesh is a fantastic volunteer! He did a variety of tasks for us including cleaning and some outdoor maintenance. He also cooked us some delicious dishes. Best of all he helped us with some valuable tech projects and some event planning and marketing. Even after he left he's still helping us to build a website and with other online work. Hitesh is a really fun and easy going guy and we enjoyed his company and fun sense of humor.