Paulina Youth Hostel - 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez

To be fair there isn't anything inherently wrong with this place however I guess the the expectation promoted is different to what is actually offered. Promotes 100 beds and a place to meet other travellers - however it felt deserted with us being the only 2 people there. Super clean communal areas and bathrooms but to the point of no character - needs some art on the walls to break the white palace effect. All the staff were great and receptionist was friendly, but no check in procedure I guess due to having nothing to show or explain. The rooms are spacious for 10 or so bunks but extremely hot without fans and given we were 2, I would hate to think if it was full! No lounge or communal areas except a cafeteria time seating arrangement which isn't much good except when eating breakfast. Even the grass area does not offer seats and roof terrace has nothing to attract anything entertaining. Breakfast was really good but don't choise your stay solely for the food as breakfasts are accessible and cheap everywhere. I feel this would suite someone looking for a cheap hotel environment not a youth hostel. Could be amazing but maybe the owner needs to travel a little themselves to get an idea?

Very clean rooms and shared bathrooms. Close to the historic city centre. Safe and quiet. Excellent breakfast with good sized portions and options, including fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, granola, etc. Great and friendly staff. The water pressure in the showers/sinks is very low. Other than that, great value for your money.

Very bad uncomfortable bed, room floor is tilted & full of dirty water , breakfast is poor & room floor is dirty

No kitchen available for guests to use besides a microwave. Upon my check in I was not shown to my room, I had to wander to find it on my own. No one helped me haul my luggage. The mixed dorm is well spaced the beds are hardly comfortable, they do not make the beds prior to your arrival, you have to make your own bed. They are flexible with check-in times and the building looks clean They are solar powered and keep chickens on the roof, which I think is cool. However, the roosters crow at all hours especially in the early morning & you can hear them from most rooms.

This is a no frills hostel. What stood out from my experience was the sense of safety I felt during my stay. I had one night of too many drinks. I was woken up the next morning by the receptionist, after my taxi was about to leave. I woke up without any of my important belongings with me. As I was about to head down to the front desk to ask if anyone had returned them, I guess they were exactly where I had left them the night before, out in the corridor. Everything was there, passport, cash, cards, phone. I expected the worst when I woke up and couldn't find anything, and was so surprised and comforted that my belongings were untouched. The breakfast that's included is also amazing and filling. Fruit, yogurt, fresh juice, toast, coffee, cereal, and an egg-based dish. Note: the showers don't have doors, so be prepared.

If you want a cheap hostel go to Luz De Luna, avoid this place completely. It was really disorganized: the room me and my brother booked (1 double bed + 1 bunk bed) wasn't even available, the only similar room was a sweatbox with no fan that looked like a prison cell. The only other room they could give us had a double bed but they didn't bother to put any towels or even toilet roll inside. The night receptionist acted like we were inconveniencing her by asking her to actually do her job. At the end of the stay they refused to give any discount as an apology. Go somewhere where the staff and management have more than one braincell between them

We stayed there for whole week. The price and the location is great. The breakfast is included. The girls in the reception were so nice and helped a lot. It's more like hotel than a hostel, if you looking for meet new people it's not the place.

Nice beds and staff... Its 4 stars because the first room I stayed in the shower wasn't working g properly and there was no toilet seat... The second room I was in was perfect however. (I moved from the 8 bed mixed to the 6 bed mixed) This is not the most social hostel and you aren't aloud to use the kitchen. The breakfast is great however.