Hostal Villa Mercedes

We spent two nights on full board, and all the food was delicious. The room was small, though we only used it to shower and sleep. The owner, Cristina, is very nice, and the price is very affordable compared with other hostels. It’s also very close to the beach and the Sanctuary of Regla.

I waited four months before writing this, hoping my disgust would fade. The rooms were small and dirty, with old, pilled sheets, and the bed was incredibly uncomfortable. The bathroom was tiny, and the shower was broken. Water leaked everywhere, and they’d left us a bucket to catch it, so they knew about the problem. The pillow seemed to move on its own, the lamp didn’t work, and the air conditioning was basically a “powerful” fan that barely moved the air. I absolutely wouldn’t recommend staying here. I wouldn’t come back, and it felt like a complete rip-off.

The homemade food was spectacular, and the cooks deserve my congratulations. The place is peaceful, family-friendly, and very close to the Sanctuary of Regla. The staff were excellent, especially Cristina and Miguel, who were so attentive and helpful. The rooms were clean and cozy. I loved it.

Being so close to Regla Beach is the best thing about this place. The accommodation itself is quite dated and badly needs renovation. The toilet wouldn’t drain properly, and shower water flooded the room. There was no air conditioning, only a powerful fan, and the TV picture was completely pixelated because of a faulty antenna. The power kept going out, too. Breakfast cost just over €2, but it was stale bread that we had to prepare ourselves. We didn’t order it again or try any of the other meals.