"PRIME LOCATION. FRIENDLY STAFF. ENJOYABLE STAY." |
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User Rating: 4.5 |
| | Reviewer: Tara L. of Alberta, Canada |
| Reviewed: October 4, 2009 (see hostel reviews from Instantworldbooking.com) |
| Traveled: September 2009 Type: Single |
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Comments (English):
I stayed at Maria Sabinas for a week in Sept 2009. #1- Location. Literally "meters" from the Beach, 5 minute walk to the Main Bus Stop, 10 minute walk to the Night Clubs... and it's just off 5th Avenue aka "main shopping/restaurant district". Across the street is a 24 Hour Convenience Store- open all day& all night, PLUS a Very Convenient Bank Machine (as they dont accept credit cards at the hostel). I would HIGHLY recommend this to SINGLE or young travellers, as all the staff can speak English-- and they're ALL super friendly! You'll most-likely make friends very easily. I stayed in the "all-girls dorm". YES- They have Lockers (they also provided me with a Lock) and very coooool Air Conditioning. My room had a Balcony with a view of the Ocean- lovely! It was QUIET in my room at night- no noise. Very comfortable, and very respectful and friendly roommates. Bed Sheets, Towels, Soap, and Toilet Paper were provided and changed daily. Toilets were scrubbed daily, too. Free Breakfast at 7am-10am, with papayas, bananas, watermelon, tea/coffee/milk, and white or brown bread w/ strawberry jam. There's Free Purified Water Anytime too (except after 10pm when they lock the kitchen). You'll meet travellers ages 20-35 from all over the world... like Europe, USA, Australia. There's also lotsa places to "socialize"- including the kitchen, the internet table (by the front desk), and on the 3rd Floor there's an AMAZINGLY COOL Outdoorsy-type STRAW-HUT aka open-air "lounge" area w/ couches n' chairs, where they serve FREE Booze at 10pm! Way to sit, sip, and socialize!!! :) As for level of comfort, I felt very safe here. As for the "looks" of the rooms-- Keep in mind, this is a Hostel in Mexico...helllloo!... If you are A SEASONED hostel traveller... you know "to expect" bunk-beds with plastic covered mattresses... so this should NOT phase you, if you are INFACT used to staying at hostels anyways... I've stayed at many hostels around the world, so I thought this was ACCEPTABLE. This is Mexico too- so ALSO please -- dont expect 5 star looking bathrooms... the ones at Maria Sabinas have a basic sink, a toilet, and a stand-up shower. EACH room has a bathroom that looks "kinda-old" but ok for the most part. Yes- there IS Hot Water. =) In every room also, there is a TV, and outlets to charge your cel phone. The rooms are very basic- bunkbeds, a tv, airconditioning, and lockers, and a few tables to put your stuff. PLUS a balcony. All in all, for the price- and the location- and the AMAZINGLY friendly staff - (the friendliest staff from ANY hostel I've been to in the world!!!) - and the NEW people you meet - and the socializing - the airconditioned QUIET dorms with the beautiful balcony views - the free "all-you-can eat" breakfast - free booze at night - CHEAP TOURS at the front desk as well to "Chitzen Izta" - Close to Bus - Close to Beach - Close to Shopping - 10 Min walk to Nightlife - Again SUPER Friendly Staff-- GREAT LOW PRICE--- Seriously, if you're a young traveller looking for a nice, relaxing, and fun time in Playa Del Carmen- at a place that is safe and inexpensive, with friendly people, at a PRIME location, then I would TOTALLY RECOMMEND MARIA SABINA'S !!! - Tara from Canada :)
PS There are NO BUGS that I saw, the cleaners were in DAILY to change my sheets/towels and scrub the toilet, and yes, my room was QUIET at night... keep in mind, I was in the "all-girls x4 beds room." :-)
PPS The only thing I would recommend is that they take lil more extra time to scrub the bathroom walls & floors for a "newer, cleaner look" and "seal up" the teeny-tiny window on the top of the bathroom door, and, I might suggest newer-lookin' towels too! =) Also, it would be nice to have access to the purified water in the lounge too, besides the kitchen, which closes at 10pm. Maybe even a cage for the storage downstairs by front desk, although I know Playa del Carmen is generally safe and the staff here at Maria Sabinas are very good at watching over. :)
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