Auberge de jeunesse HI Bordeaux-Blanquefort (Ex Otellia)

They should be ashamed of keeping money they didn’t earn from students. I booked on 10 July and canceled that same day, after Google Maps had incorrectly shown me a hostel near my university. Even though they knew the reservation was canceled, they took the $4,900. As of 21 July, my bank says they still hadn’t even started the refund. I opened a dispute with my credit card, but I’ve lost 11 days of interest at 3.8%. They say their policy allows a refund if you cancel 24 hrs ahead, and I canceled MONTHS before the reservation. Do not trust their cancelation policy!!!

The rooms had terrible air circulation, and some were full of bugs. There wasn’t even soap, shampoo, or a towel. The hotel was very dirty and felt like a joke, more like an abandoned mental hospital than a hotel.

There’s a big car park right in front, and a supermarket nearby. If you want to get to Bordeaux downtown, though, you need a car, and there isn’t much going on in this small city. I stayed over a quiet weekend when there weren’t many people around. The place was clean, and my twin room had a bathroom and a small wall-mounted TV. Breakfast was included. The reception staff seemed inexperienced and perhaps still in training. It’s more of a hostel than a hotel, and not a luxury place, but I do recommend it.

The only thing we enjoyed was the park nearby, with sports equipment and a soccer field just minutes away. During our three weeks in this "hostel," we found the food tasteless, and the portions seemed meant for kids up to 10 years old. After a few days we bought spices ourselves at a Lidl only 10min away. That Lidl also had good food that tasted 100 times better than the "Food" at the hostel. There were slight traces of mold in the rooms, painted over before you arrive, so you can’t see it for at least the first few days. Three mold-infested weeks, thanks. I’m a customer who won’t be coming back.