JEP Hostel

The room was only $10 a night, so it could suit someone travelling on a tight budget. The Wi-Fi reached the bathroom but not the room. The walls were white but dirty, with marks that looked like boogers wiped onto them. The mattress was so thin that the springs could poke into you if you knelt on the bed. It’s near downtown, though I think El Poblado is a much nicer area to stay in.

I found the staff friendly and helpful, and the hot water worked about 95% of the time. The location is handy for getting near El Centro without staying right in it, and El Pob and Laureles are just a short metro or bus ride away. Hostels in those areas have been getting more expensive. There really are roaches, though. The whole block is packed with food places, including two Afro restaurants right beside the hostel, so I doubt cleaning around the clock would stop them. This isn't the place for gringos expecting Sheraton or Hilton quality on a budget.

The roof leaks, the rooms get hot, and there are cockroaches. There was no hot water either. At night they lock you inside the building, while the hotel staff snoozes through the night. The male employees were helpful, but one female employee was absolutely demented. The other guests were weird, the sort of people you'd meet in jail.

The cold showers were the one real downside, since there was no hot water. Apart from that, we had a great time. The hostel is beautiful, there's a smoking spot at the back, and the staff were lovely. Great location too :)