Copacabana; Rio de Janeiro

They confirmed my booking months ahead, so I bought my flight for around those dates. Then, weeks later, they cancelled, citing “technical issues beyond their ability to resolve.” By then, prices at their own hostels and other places in Rio had doubled, and I couldn't find another dorm for less than €100 a night. I contacted Che Lagarto politely, though I was upset, but they wouldn't help at all. Basically, it was “tough luck”; after that, they ignored and blocked me. Absolute ballentent.

Everything about this hostel stinks. The rooms aren't designed for the number of people they pack into them, and there are just a few outlets for six to eight guests, which get overloaded. The dirty AC filters circulate mold and dust, and everyone in the room was coughing. The key cards NEVER work, so I had to go to reception about four times a day to get back in. Staff tell little white lies to make you go away instead of fixing things. Easily the worst hostel I've ever stayed in, and I've stayed in a lot.

I got moved to another room after finding bed bugs, but they put another guest in that same infested bed without telling him. They didn't clean the mattress or offer me any compensation. The AC also didn't work all night, so it was too hot to sleep. The hostel is cramped, dirty, and has very little space to relax. The staff were quite friendly, which was the only good part. The facilities are awful, and I'd pay a bit more to stay somewhere else.

The location is great, and for Rio the price was very reasonable. The room was okay, the shower got hot, and the bed was reasonably comfortable. Check-in service was a little slow, but it wasn't a problem.