They are very friendly and helpful. There is a nice courtyard. They have good coffee. The private rooms are clean but very basic with stained ceilings and walls. For $35 for a single room there are much better places around. For $20 for a private room this would be a maybe. $35 is a bad joke.

Pros: location, personnel
Cons: cleanliness, lack of others staying there

The hostel has definitely seen better days in terms of upkeep. I found the people running the place to be very nice. The room I had was just next to the front desk. The bathroom was disgusting and the room was not in the best shape at all. Considering the price for the room I would have to not recommend this. On another note, the mall is very near to this hostel. I rarely go to malls and actually loathe them usually but when backpacking for months on end I find them to be a welcome place of solace where I can get a chain coffee drink and spend time in air conditioning

I stayed at Ximenas for one week, as I used it as base to explore the rest of El Salvador. The hotel is located in a great and safe neighborhood called Colonia Central America. It is within 5 minutes walking distance to many restaurants, and 15 minutes by foot to the Metrocentro Mall. It is 40 minutes by car to the airport. Many beaches are only 30 minutes by car.

My room was a single with a private bath. The room was clean, and daily service was adequate. Must supply own shampoo and soap. Water pressure did suffer at times, and I was told this was common for 2nd floor rooms. There was also hot water, cable TV, and A/C. There is parking space for 2 cars, and there is 24 hour food service in the kitchen.

The staff (Oscar and America) were great, friendly, and extremely helpful. This is without a doubt the finest budget hotel I have been at in Central America. You will not be disappointed.

I just read a couple of reviews about Ximena's Guest House in San salvador!! I just visited this same hostel (in December) and disagree with the descriptions given in other posts. I found the room very clean, the people who worked there were helpful and even gave me advice on how to find places of interest in other parts of the country. The food was good and not expensive. I stayed in a private room with shared bath and paid $15.- which was fine but there were other rooms with dorm beds for cheaper rates. The location is great as I just had to walk a couple of blocks to restaurants or malls etc. I have travelled throughout Central America and actually fond Ximena's to be one of the best hostels I have visited.