Hostel Amigo Suites — Hotel in Mexico City

Before my review: I read a couple of the more negative reviews that pop up under "recent reviews" to the side of your screen here; I think the issue with some travelers is that they totally misunderstand the fundamental concept of a hostel.||||It's meant to be cheap, bare-bones and somewhat lively. No frills. Just the basics.||||If anything, this hostel goes well above and beyond what I would have expected, and frankly has kinda spoiled me for future hostel experiences.||||Location - 5/5. This place is inches away from the Zocalo, one of the neatest spots in town for culture and activities. A further 10-15 minute walk will take you to Bellas Artes and parks. Not to mention some absolutely delicious taco vendors literally right across the street.||||Staff - 5/5. We were greeted warmly by Reymundo at the front desk, who put up with our atrocious Spanish with good cheer and answered all of our questions about Mexico City. He gave us great tips on places to eat, activities to try out, things to avoid/be careful of (as clueless tourists), and offered a couple Tour packages at very convenient price points. The other guy working the desk, Rick, was equally great. Their English was impeccable. They basically function as live encyclopedias of fun stuff in Mexico City.||||Rooms - 4/5. Despite being a hostel, which is literally a place you go to with a lot of other young people who'll probably be drinking and partying it up, the noise level was completely fine. Only once or twice in a 5-day stay was I woken up by someone being a bit rowdy, and that's because I'm a light sleeper anyways. That said, for the sheer price we paid, we got a comfy bed, a decent-ish shower with wonderful warm temperature, a TV and even a safe to put valuables away in. The bed was made and towels were prepped for us daily. ||||Price point - 5/5. We spent close to nothing on this place, and got daily breakfasts into the bargain (the people complaining about the quality of a HOSTEL breakfast, much less buffet-style, should have themselves checked in at the nearest insane asylum). Plus, great deals on tours to Teotihuacan (go with "Blue Demon" tours!), with the option of taking more tours to Xochimilco or the Arena Mexico to see the Luchadores. ||||Highly recommend this place to people who're comfortable not living in a fancy hotel / want to avoid 3-star hotel prices, but who still want to feel taken care of and be close to the heart of it all...

though located centrally, this hostal is not the best (and i’ve stayed at a LOT of hostals!).

i booked a private room with private bath and balcony and for that, though it was a room meant for 3 people rather than a single room.

toiletries are not provided—not even hand soap—you have to buy them in a bundle from reception. towels are included.

i told staff while booking that i would arrive at 4am but my single room (which was being occupied by a family because it wasn’t really a single room at all) wasn’t ready until just after noon.

the room had no windows (just a balcony with doors) and so got extremely hot and stuffy at night (i was there in may). there are no fans and leaving the balcony doors open allows for a nice wind but also invited mosquitos.

also, there were roaches in the room. they hid under the bedside tables/dresser when the lights are on and come out when they’re turned off.

a sign at reception says they sell stamps so i asked to buy some and the clerk told me he had to go buy them from the post office. he told me to give him the money for them and the postcards i wanted sent and he would buy the postage and mail them. i agreed and trusted him.

my post cards never arrived. they weren’t even sent for all i know. the money i paid for postage and the souvenirs i sent to specific friends to cheer them up never got to them. before i left this review, i contacted the hostal to see if they were just left behind reception and could still be mailed out, but i was told the clerk who took my money and postcards no longer worked there and the hostal staff had no idea where the postcards we’re. they did offer to resend the cards but that meant asking me to remember and tell them what cards i had bought, what i had written on them, and which card was for whom, etc.

overall, would not recommend unless you’re looking just for a bed to sleep in while passing through mexico city. if you want to actually stay and enjoy your visit in mexico city, then find...

The double room did not meet description from the reservation. First two days there was not water at all. When water come back it was brown and, sink and shower were permanently clogged. No hot water in the sink. Toilet can be flushed only once per some time. All towels looks like someone was playing with them with dogs, lots of holes and marks. Lots of marks on beddings as well. WiFi was working good only during day, over night (23-7) it has problem with getting the ip. Always in the morning, after 6, there is a strong smell of fire in the room. Breakfast late(around 8.30) and not good. Window cannot be fully closed or open. During cold days I was freezing over night. Window is from the side of very busy street even at 2 am. On the bed there is only thin blanket which for sure is noth changed between clients which is disgusting. Two streets to the North/East there is beginning of the Tepito neighbourhood so you need to take special care about it - don't go there even during the day. There were long moments that room was very smelly, like smell from hydraulic installation. I got headache from this smell. Finally, the room was not so clean and the cleaning staff was moving my things and even some of them they through away assuming is rubbish (although they were not placed in rubbish bin). I think this room is overpriced and for this price you can get not comparably better conditions in Europe. I am sooo glad to leave...