Andaina Hostel

It’s a huge hostel, with spacious shared areas, friendly staff, a towel provided, and a convenient location. But my dorm stay was just one night because of the traffic noise and really poor WiFi. There also weren't charging outlets by the beds. Private rooms might be a better choice.

We liked it enough to extend our stay. The staff were pleasant and worked hard, and the whole place, including the public areas, was clean and well cared for. Even though it's a big, four-story mansion, it still feels homey. Our bedroom was roomy and comfortable, and the temperature was nice. The three rooftop and balcony areas were a highlight for watching the sunrise or sunset. Most city sights are an easy walk away. You can refill water on every floor, and there's free coffee on the first. The third floor has a basic gym and a small kitchen. A few things could be better: hot water was lacking, WiFi only worked in certain spots, and there was no bedside lamp.

For the price, the simple rooms are about what I'd expect, though ours was a bit noisy with its big street-facing window. There are lots of shared bathrooms, plus free filtered water and coffee. The rooftop terrace has lovely views. The atmosphere felt a little lifeless, but I think the place has real potential if the staff put in a bit more effort.

The hostel is clean, impressive, and has lots of terraces. But if your Spanish isn't very good, communication can be difficult since none of the employees speak English. Also, don't accidentally lock your key in the room. The spare keys are kept at an office in another building in Oaxaca, and getting someone to bring one can take up to an hour. I stayed here for more than 40 days over the last four months. After I couldn't fully understand what the manager was saying, I contacted the owner. I wish both the manager, who doesn't speak English, and the owner had handled things more professionally. The owner kicked me out over WhatsApp simply because we couldn't communicate.