Elefante Blanco

The location depends on what you're after. It's right by the bus station at the entrance to Tepoztlán, which some will find handy and others won't. You can walk or take a taxi for 50-100 pesos each way. It's at least 2 kilometers from downtown, not the 900 meters listed on Booking.com. Staff, especially the owner at reception, were kind and attentive, and the place itself isn't bad. But my room wasn't shown in the photos and was basically a narrow hallway with just enough room for a double bed and space for my feet to get up. The bed bases were stone, the mattress was so thin I woke up nearly on the floor, and the pillows were just as uncomfortable. The upstairs doors creak, so early cleaning could be heard throughout the hostel. Reception conversations around 6 or 7 in the morning carried through the building too. For the same price or just a little more, there are better options downtown or closer in, so I think they should lower their prices.

We could leave our belongings before check-in and explore the city center without carrying everything. They also answered all my questions on WhatsApp and were very helpful. The gentleman who helped us was friendly and attentive, and made us feel at ease. The common areas are pleasant, and there's hot water. It's a great, family-friendly place to stay with friends, and the price, quality, and location deserve 5/5. From the center, take the minibus marked "Col Tesoro"; it drops you right in front, and the bus stop is no more than a five-minute walk away.

The photos they send of the room look nice, but the hotel was nothing like them when I arrived. It was dirty, run-down, and in poor shape. I'd booked Friday with a 50% deposit. I came 45 minutes before check-in to see the room, but the owner, who acts as receptionist, wouldn't let me in, saying they were cleaning. I went downtown to pass the time and found hotels for the same price, or a little more, with a pool, spa services, and breakfast included. When I came back to ask for my deposit, they returned it without a fee and said they would've gladly done so if I'd arrived earlier. They still wouldn't let me see the rooms. I can't recommend the place, even for the price. They don't resolve anything, and the receptionist, who we found out was the owner, told us to send my complaint by WhatsApp. He owns it, but I think the place is recommendable.

Hot water was a struggle because the water heaters wouldn't turn on. The internet didn't work, and the hotel had no food or snacks available. There's no parking lot, just street parking, where a vehicle could get hit or scratched. It didn't feel safe to leave a car there.