My recent four-night stay at Hostel Selina in Oaxaca, Mexico, was a journey of contrasts, offering both positive and negative experiences that paint a comprehensive picture of the establishment.Let's start with the staff. While the team at Hostel Selina generally exuded a willingness to assist, there were instances where their guidance fell short. One particular encounter highlighted this gap in local knowledge. Seeking advice on navigating to the airport in the early hours without breaking the bank, I was met with a suggestion to hail a taxi. However, through my own exploration, I discovered a more economical alternative, revealing a potential area for improvement in staff training. Additionally, during check-in, one receptionist appeared disinterested and failed to provide a thorough introduction to the hostel's facilities. However, the night guard emerged as a beacon of warmth and assistance, despite language barriers, underscoring the importance of interpersonal skills in guest interactions.Moving on to the hostel's amenities, the rooftop area emerged as a delightful retreat, offering a panoramic view of the cityscape and providing a tranquil setting for relaxation. The cleanliness of the hostel, while generally satisfactory, was contingent upon the consideration of fellow guests. Unfortunately, it appeared that the frequency of bathroom cleaning was lacking, impacting the overall hygiene standards of the establishment. Addressing this aspect could significantly enhance the guest experience and promote a more welcoming environment.Regrettably, my final night at Hostel Selina was marred by disruptive roommates returning inebriated and creating a disturbance well into the night. Despite the intervention of the vigilant night guard, the situation persisted, detracting from the otherwise comfortable ambiance of the hostel. Noise management emerged as a notable area for improvement, with greater emphasis needed on fostering a peaceful cohabitation environment for all guests.On a positive note, Hostel Selina's strategic location within the city proved to be a major asset. Situated in a vibrant neighborhood with easy access to Oaxaca's cultural and culinary delights, the hostel served as an ideal base for exploration.In summary, Hostel Selina offers a mixed bag of experiences, with commendable attributes such as a friendly staff demeanor, a scenic rooftop area, and a prime location juxtaposed with areas for improvement including staff training, cleanliness standards, and noise management. With concerted efforts to address these areas, Hostel Selina has the potential to elevate the guest experience and solidify its position as a top accommodation...
Read moreNever come to this hotel! We are on holidays here during the guelaguetza. If what you are looking for is a hotel to rest DO NoT come to Selina. If you want a basic hostel with tiny rooms then… really think about it. We asked to speak to the manager and the receptionist said that she cannot call him. What kind of answer is that? A hotel where you cannot speak to the manager. We kept pushing for her to call him and then she told us he is not in the city. So I asked her to call him and arrange a call ( excuse me, what is whatsapp for?) Yesterday night there was an Event in the hotel that made the building rumble and they only finished till 11 pm. Aren’t hotels supposed to be places to sleep? We complained about that. And today they have a dj event (my god! i feel like a prisoner that is being tortured) I want to leave this “hotel”. We are in a big private room, bathroom ensuite on the first floor next to the street (and we paid a lot for it, like boutique hotels close by) but we have seen other private rooms and let me tell you they are tiny and no windows. Selina is in no way a boutique hotel or hostel, we have seen other respectable hotels in the same area for half the price. Do not let them fool you by the outside and common areas.
Selina is overpriced for what it offers. We thought that even if its a hostel, the fact that they offer big private rooms, we thought that the service was going to be good. But NO. No water bottles in the room Bathroom is basic, shower curtain of very low quality. Windows are not isolating, so sound and heat can come in. No usb charger in the room No tv or smart tv (only a projector to connect your laptop) No wardrobe No safe box Curtains do not block light from outside and they are not working properly. This area is super noisy, so it is really difficult to relax or sleep, but you are in the center. 2 blocks from the zocalo (main square). Selina charges a LOT for what it is. This room (109) needs some improvement, as I said for what they charge for this room I would have expected a lot more. Photos attached.
We would not recommend it to anyone nor would we come back ever again. We are very disappointed and we regret having book this place. I want my money back so that I can go somewhere else where I can actually...
Read moreI spent three nights at this hostel during my trip. Unfortunately, I fell ill on the day of my arrival and opted to upgrade from the dorm I had originally booked to a single bed room for two nights. The reception staff were exceedingly courteous and helpful throughout my stay. However, I was disappointed by the state of the bathrooms. While I understand that water scarcity might be a challenge in Oaxaca, the shared bathrooms in the hotel were consistently unclean and unsanitary, exacerbating my illness.
The common bathrooms exhibited some common issues, perhaps due to water scarcity, which led to poor hygiene conditions. One noticeable problem was the prohibition of flushing toilet paper, resulting in a collection of used toilet papers emitting a distressing odor. Moreover, the insufficient water pressure in the flush made it extremely difficult to properly dispose of waste after each use. On each visit to the bathroom, I found myself waiting around 10 minutes for the toilet tank to refill before attempting to flush. Despite my efforts to flush multiple times after each use, the toilets remained problematic. It was disheartening to encounter remnants of others' use when attempting to utilize the facilities in the morning. Additionally, the hotel failed to provide shower gel and shampoo in the shared bathrooms, adding to the inconvenience.
Beyond this significant concern, it's important to be prepared for loud music emanating from the rooftop bar during weekends. Though I was unwell during my initial two nights and thus did not partake, my curiosity got the better of me on my last day. To my surprise, despite the booming music, the rooftop bar was nearly empty, with only the DJ and a handful of...
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