Isis Hostel 2

The laundry became another argument. On the first day I was told it was free, but when I brought our dirty clothes, the receptionist said we had to pay for electricity and detergent. After I pointed out what the boss had said, they called someone and reluctantly allowed one free wash, saying we’d have to pay next time. We were told to collect the clothes the following day, but some were missing. A cleaner suggested checking outside the window where they were hung to dry, and I spotted them on nearby rooftops. They kept promising to retrieve them within five minutes, but from 31 Dec 2023 until 5 Jan 2024 they made excuses and never brought them back. Breakfast and water were handled just as inconsistently. First they said breakfast was included, then it was 100 Egyptian pounds, then they changed that to 125 Egyptian pounds per person. They also said water was free after a shift change, but when I asked for it, a receptionist wanted 25 Egyptian pounds. Staff kept changing their stories. The reception guy seemed extremely impatient about the balance. I’d already paid in advance for three days and asked to settle after those days, but he kept coming back until he got all the money. We have three small kids and three big bags, and I was exhausted, so after finding a little space to rest I accepted it without searching the area further. The room was just one small space with a dirty, stinking mattress. Curtains hung on nails instead of a proper rail, and even those were badly fixed. There was a dirty, smelly rug in the middle that I’m sure had never been washed. The building was extremely dirty, the small lift was broken, and there was gutter water and stray dogs around it. The location felt suited to trash collection and car mechanics, not hotels. The bathroom was broken too. The tub had no knob, and when filled, water spilled from the washbasin outlet and flooded the bathroom, nearly reaching the room. I ran to reception and they said they’d send someone, but nobody came during the five days I stayed. With all of this, I’d tell people never to stay here, even if they offered a free room. I found them dishonest and intimidating, and felt cheated.