ROOMIES HOSTEL - Calle Puebla

The location was good, and the room was fairly clean, but it didn’t look like the photos. The shared areas and rooms felt cold and dark, and the staff made us feel like our presence was a nuisance. Showers were okay, though hot water wasn’t dependable: one of mine was cold while the others were fine. There are only two toilets for the entire hostel, which didn’t match the description. I wouldn’t recommend it.

It seemed like it could be an inexpensive stay in a convenient area, but I’d look elsewhere. The photos make the property look much better than it is now. Our room smelled strongly and hadn’t been cleaned well, and I woke up with several bites from some unknown bug. We left a night early because of the conditions. The location and price sound good in theory, but the hassle wasn’t worth it.

RMS Hostel - Cibeles has a fantastic spot in Roma Norte. I stayed for several weeks and could easily walk to restaurants, bars, shops, dance clubs, live music, parks, tourist sights, a BIG grocery store (Sumesa Oaxaca), 24 hour OXXO and 7-11, and the Sevilla and Insugentes METRO hubs. It felt safe, too. I met lovely people from Latin America, Asia, Europe and elsewhere, and the beds were very comfortable. I stayed in several rooms, all clean. I’d happily come back. Angelica was professional, kind, and helpful with questions and requests, and made the stay feel welcoming. Alejandra was a bright spot too. The staff overall are friendly and work hard. The building is older, which makes sense in historic Roma Norte, but there’s a lobby community area, a kitchen with a large free filtered-water dispenser, and a terrace on the top floor of the 3 level building. A few practical things: there are mosquitoes in this part of CDMX at night, so bring repellent if they bother you. Bathrooms have liquid hand soap at the sinks and toilet paper, and a bath towel is provided. Bring your own bath soap, shampoo, and similar items, or buy them at reception. The big grocery store a few blocks away is a better option. Some of my complaints came from guests leaving dirty dishes, food in the refrigerator, no toilet paper after using the last of it, wrappers in showers, and unclean toilets. A small number of people were inconsiderate toward the hostel, staff, and other guests. The property could be even better with small repairs and upkeep. A handyman once a week or month could tighten loose door handles and locks, make sure each room has a working fan, fix broken bathroom vanity drawers, and add simple plastic hooks for towels and belongings. The two second-floor front rooms with doors to the street need weather stripping to keep mosquitoes out. A regular list of these little fixes could help RMS Hostel - Cibeles become top rated quickly. The location and building are wonderful, and some TLC would also make things easier for the excellent staff. The refrigerator needs a new compressor or coolant re-charge. Bath towels should be replaced, and every bed should have a fitted sheet, with torn sheets thrown out. A video camera in the kitchen, plus a clear notice and enforcement of a BIG fine of $500 MX or more for leaving dirty dishes or a mess, could help. Guests who arrive to a messy kitchen should notify reception right away so the security video can show who left it that way. Just a few ideas to make a great place even better.

We had a confirmed double room for two, and I’d phoned ahead to say we’d arrive after check-in. They assured me that was fine and they would wait. After collecting my sister from the airport, we arrived exhausted and just wanted to sleep. Instead, the receptionist didn’t answer the door for about 25 minutes. Once she let us in, she said there were no rooms for us. She blamed Hostelworld and told us to find another hostel, without offering help or any solution. We still haven’t been refunded. A very disappointing, unprofessional experience. I wouldn’t recommend it.