Hostel Internacional Mendoza

The fun atmosphere and helpful staff were good, but the upkeep needs to improve. The shower hadn’t been cleaned and still had hair from previous guests. We had no hot water for most of our stay, and the shower was broken when we arrived and wasn’t fixed until our last day. Worst of all, the sheets were filthy and smelled of cigarettes. We now have bites all over our bodies, and we’re worried they might be bed bugs. It wasn’t a pleasant stay, and I wouldn’t come back.

There was a great community feel and nightlife, and the hostel could arrange excursions if you wanted. I went on an awesome horseback riding tour. The kitchen was seriously short on equipment, though, the pillows were the lumpiest I’ve ever seen, and the wifi only worked downstairs in the common rooms. The showers were great. Nothing super fancy.

The breakfast bread was burnt black or still undercooked every day, and the whole place felt dirty and badly looked after. I’ve stayed in hostels for six months and usually don’t complain, but this was the worst experience I’ve had. The staff were friendly and worked hard, though management seemed to have a serious problem. On arrival, the sheets had hair and nails on them, and the bathroom wasn’t clean. My room was tiny, damp-smelling, and had large patches of mold. There was so much water in the wall that the ceiling came down overnight. We were all covered in plaster and breathing dust, and nobody slept. They moved us to a larger dorm than the one I’d paid for, but refused any compensation even when we asked. Completely unacceptable. The following night, there seemed to be an overbooking: seven people for six beds. The lights came on at 2 a.m., someone had to get up, pack, and find another bed. It was a hassle, I didn’t sleep, and there was no apology or compensation. Really unprofessional. On the other nights I also slept badly because the old, dented mattress made it impossible to get comfortable. I heard unhappy guests could get their money back if they signed a paper agreeing not to post a negative review. I didn’t sign. I hope management takes this seriously and starts looking after both its customers and its dedicated staff.

The beds and rooms were okay, but the atmosphere during my stay was amazing. The common room has an indoor BBQ and a pool table, which made it easy to socialize. You can book lots of tours at reception, and the staff are really welcoming and friendly.