Milhouse Hostel Hipo

Located on a narrow city street with a mix of colonial-style as well as newer buildings, some with graffiti covered facades, Milhouse Hipo! occupies a charming 19th century building with tall windows, wrought-iron balconies, and an inner courtyard overlooked by interior balconies. The reception area and other public spaces are bright and cheerful, with walls painted in primary colors and colorful murals. Cozy couches, a bar, and a pool table in the lobby create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. This hostel is immensely popular with young backpackers in their early twenties, many of whom are solo travelers looking to meet other travelers from all over the world and have a good time. In short, this is party central: There’s a happy hour every evening where guests can mingle, and a party with a live DJ or live band every night. This is not a place for a good nights’ sleep, but those who love to party will not be disappointed.

Milhouse Hipo! is just a two-minute walk away from Avenida 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires’ most important boulevard, and the site of many important city landmarks like the Obelisk, the Statue of Don Quixote, Plaza de la Republica, and Teatro Colon. The neighborhood has excellent public transport links: Avenida de Mayo metro station is a two-minute walk away, and frequent buses run along Avenida 9 de Julio. There are many restaurants and cafes in the immediate vicinity, as well as bars, clubs, and nightspots. A hotel next door is rumored to be a brothel, and past guests have complained about hearing noises through the walls. It’s a 25-minute drive to Jorge Newberry International Airport from the hostel, while Ministro Pistarini International Airport just outside the city can be reached in 40 minutes. 

There's a range of different types of guest rooms available here. Budget travelers prefer to stay in the mixed dormitories which sleep eight people and are fitted out with bunk beds. Two attached bathrooms come with sinks and clean showers. There’s also an in-room safe and large cage-like lockers, which are big enough for a backpack and can be locked with a padlock. Oddly, there is just one key per room, so strangers often have to work out a key system, which can be annoying.

For those who prefer more privacy, there are Double and Twin Rooms available, as well as a room that sleeps four with two single beds and a bunk bed. All rooms are pleasant, clean and comfortable, and have high ceilings, French-style windows, and hardwood floors. The dark wood furniture is antique in style, though bedspreads and drapes are fussy and dated. But the elegant lamps and few framed artworks on the walls add a nice touch, giving the impression that this is a proper hotel and not a youth hostel. The attached bathrooms are clean and functional with beige tiling on the floors and walls, and look like they’ve been recently renovated. A single bar of soap is the only provided toiletry. The hostel provides clean sheets in a plastic bag to guests when they check in.

The dormitories and rooms do not have a television, or a fridge or minibar, and though air-conditioning is available, it's only turned on at night because of power shortages.

The basic breakfast buffet is included in the room rate and includes coffee, tea, cereals, breads, pastries, and scrambled eggs on alternate days. A bar and restaurant in the lobby area serves drinks and snacks during the day, and hosts a happy hour each evening. City tours and activities like tango lessons are on offer at reasonable rates, as well as tickets to concerts and soccer games. A pool table and board games are available for guests, as well as a TV room where there’s a selection of DVDs. There’s also a shared kitchen fitted out with a large fridge, stove, microwave, pots, and utensils. Other services include desktop computers with Internet access, free Wi-Fi in public areas, a storage room, a laundry service, and a meeting room. Nightly parties are only available to guests at the hostel.