Murals Hostel & Cafe

I expected a good stay after reading the reviews, but the reality was very different, and I don’t understand why there are so many positive ones. The whole hostel needs renovation and a proper clean. It wasn’t clean, and neither was my room. I even found used wet wipes in one of the lockers, and the bed was itchy. The room was cramped too, so opening luggage was hard when other guests were there. There was nowhere to hang clothes or put soap and shampoo in the shower, and no slippers, so you have to step straight onto the floor. The worst part was my noisy, inconsiderate roommates, which made me check out early. It was an all-women’s room, but I heard a boy’s voice. They talked loudly at 3 am and kept going in and out, then the boys knocked on the door in the morning. The location isn’t very accessible either. You have to walk to the main road to get a ride, which would be rough late at night or with heavy bags. It’s cheap, but that doesn’t make it worth staying here. A budget place should at least be clean. There are much better hostels in the city. Check the low ratings too so you don’t get an unpleasant surprise.

The café was in decent shape, and the cappuccino was genuinely good. Still, I was disappointed. I’d hoped to love this place because of its high ratings, but it was the least comfortable hostel of my eight-week solo trip through Southeast Asia. My room felt dirty and smelled strange, and the bathrooms weren’t clean either. There was nowhere to set toiletries in the shower, and the sink area kept leaking, so putting anything down there felt unhygienic. It needs a lot of maintenance. I did see someone cleaning the bathrooms early each morning, but they still need a proper deep clean and disinfecting.

Murals works really well for a budget stay. The location is great and the service is excellent, with staff who are very accommodating. They also have spaces for people working online. I like it enough that I keep coming back.

The staff were polite and helpful, and the common area was very convenient. Luggage storage came in handy before check-in and after check-out. The room was a little small, but fine for one night, and the location is handy for nearby shops. The bathroom was average and could use more care, though it worked. A solid, simple budget option in central Cebu for a short stay.