Socialtel (formerly Selina)

The hostel-meets-coworking chain that survived a 2024 bankruptcy under a new name.

By NomadGear Editorial · Verified 06 Aug 2026

Socialtel is the rebranded network of hostel-style properties that used to operate as Selina, offering shared and private rooms, on-site coworking areas, and organized community events like surf trips and workshops. It fits budget-conscious nomads who want a social, activity-heavy stay rather than a quiet private apartment. Selina filed for bankruptcy in 2024 and was bought out and relaunched as Socialtel in 2025, so it's worth booking with that history in mind.

What is Socialtel, formerly Selina?

Socialtel is a hostel-and-coworking chain that relaunched in 2025 after its predecessor, Selina, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2024 and had its properties bought out and rebranded. The concept stayed the same: dorm and private rooms inside the same building as a coworking area, plus a bar, a communal kitchen, and an events calendar (surf trips, yoga, live music, city meetups) built for solo travelers. It sits in the same category as Outsite but costs less and runs louder.

The nomad angle

For a budget nomad, the pitch is a desk, workable wifi, and a social scene you don't have to assemble from a separate hostel, coworking membership, and meetup. That's useful if you land in a new city solo and want to meet people fast, and you don't need a quiet apartment to focus in. Locations cluster in Latin America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Coverage is real but uneven, so check the current property map against your route before you count on one being where you're headed next.

Is it worth it?

The 2024 bankruptcy should shape how you book. Selina expanded fast for years, and guest reviews across its properties reported inconsistent maintenance and cleanliness from one location to the next, even before the rebrand. Socialtel inherited the buildings and the concept, not automatically a fixed standard, so a great stay at one property doesn't tell you much about the next one. Read recent reviews for the specific property before you book, and hold off on prepaying far ahead or buying a membership-style package until you've stayed once yourself.

Pricing

Socialtel charges standard nightly rates, not a subscription. Dorm beds run well below a private hotel room; private rooms land closer to mid-range hostel or budget-hotel pricing depending on the city. Coworking access is usually bundled into the room rate instead of sold as a separate day pass, which is the main advantage over a plain hostel. Compared with other coworking-and-coliving options, Socialtel sits at the budget, high-energy end, not as a quiet-focus alternative to a dedicated coworking membership.

What works

On-site coworking bundled into the room rate, so you're not paying for a hostel and a separate coworking desk
Built-in social programming (surf trips, workshops, meetups) that solves meeting people in a new city as a solo nomad
Footprint across Latin America, Europe, and parts of Asia gives real route flexibility for slow travel
Lower price point than most dedicated coliving operators, useful for longer, budget-conscious stays

What to watch

Predecessor Selina filed for bankruptcy in 2024 after years of reported inconsistency in maintenance and staffing across properties, and Socialtel inherited the buildings without automatically inheriting a clean track record
Quality varies by property, so a good experience at one location doesn't guarantee the same at another
The social, activity-heavy hostel atmosphere suits extroverted budget travelers more than nomads who need quiet, focused work time

Pricing: paidRegion: globalBest for: budget nomads who want a social hostel-style stay with built-in coworking spaceVerified: 06 Aug 2026

Questions at the counter

Is Socialtel the same as Selina?

Socialtel is the rebranded successor to Selina, launched in 2025 after Selina filed for bankruptcy protection in 2024 and its properties were acquired and relaunched under the new name. The hostel-plus-coworking concept and much of the property network carried over; the brand name and ownership did not.

Is Socialtel (Selina) worth it for digital nomads?

It can be, especially for budget-conscious nomads who want a social, activity-filled stay with coworking space built in rather than a quiet private apartment. Quality has varied by property historically, so check recent reviews for your specific location before booking rather than assuming a consistent standard chain-wide.

Why did Selina go bankrupt?

Selina filed for bankruptcy protection in 2024 after a period of rapid global expansion that outpaced its finances, alongside widely reported inconsistency in property maintenance and guest experience. The brand and properties were subsequently bought out and relaunched as Socialtel in 2025.

Does Socialtel have coworking spaces?

Yes, on-site coworking areas are a core part of the concept and are typically included in the room rate rather than sold as a separate day pass, which is the main differentiator from a standard budget hostel.

Also filed under Coworking & Coliving

Granted · Visit Socialtel (formerly Selina)