Tel Aviv · Israel
Roger's House Tel Aviv
Bed bug reports
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It’s dirty. The dirtiest of all places I’ve stayed out of many years, in over 40 countries. Lifting up my pillow to see some dead insect I can’t name, including its excrements. Hairs from intimate areas all over the mattress, collected from travelers from all over the world. Crumbs and excrements of insects on the bed frames. €5 deposit for sheets while you do them a favour staying in their dirt. A dead cockroach on the ground which I didn’t photograph but you get the picture. Thick layer of dust on the floor, so many long hairs it looks like a tile pattern. Dirty showers and toilets. Kitchen smells of mold. Couches dirty and full of dust and crumbs. Broken tiles all over the property. No water on one morning. Doves under the roof that keep you from your sleep. No fire safety as all upstairs windows are barred. The lockers need a lock to be bought from a vending machine, they ran out so I had to take my valuables everywhere. I asked to leave them at the reception but was not allowed to leave my whole (small hand luggage) backpack. After waking up I had about 5 bites and red itchy patches all over the body. There were NO mosquitoes these were bed bugs. There are notes all over the place with: “Roger says: do such and so. Clean up, don’t turn the air conditioning to low, and so forth.” If it would be “Leon (me) says: Roger, get your act together and don’t host travelers in insect excrements and filth. A disgrace and I recommend to spend more to stay in a clean place. A foot fungus infection costs money on the long run as well, although I’m still hoping I got lucky and didn’t catch anything. I was not comfortable sharing my feedback directly with the owner as he seemed unfriendly and a know-it-all, not even saying bye as I checked out. I know I should have reported it to him directly but choose to do it like this. Having people stay in a place bordering a health hazard says enough about the owners mentality. Too bad as all staff are otherwise very friendly.
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Vibe Analysis
The attached cafe is a real part of the stay here, with coffee, pastries, breakfast, and sometimes a free coffee tied into the hostel. It gives Roger's House a softer daytime rhythm before Tel Aviv pulls you toward Florentin, Rothschild, Jaffa, markets, bars, clubs, and the beach. The hostel works best as a casual social base: indoor lounges, outdoor seating, a balcony or patio feel, a shared kitchen, books, instruments, games, and a steady mix of international backpackers and volunteers. Shabbat dinners, pub crawls, parties, or games have happened here, though the activity schedule may not be constant. The mood is usually friendly and homey rather than polished. Dorm beds often have privacy curtains, power or USB access, and lockers, and the location is a major strength, with Elifelet light rail, Florentin, Old Jaffa, the beach, cafes, and nightlife all close by. Staff support can be warm and very hands-on, from check-in help to practical fixes, but service is not perfectly consistent. This is not a luxury-clean hostel. The building can feel old, grungy, or under-maintained, and cleanliness has ranged from solid in common areas to serious issues with rooms, bathrooms, bedding, smells, floors, and stained linens. Pick it for location, low-key social energy, and useful common spaces, then keep expectations calibrated.
Signals to check
- Cleanliness is inconsistent, with recurring problems around bathrooms, bedding, floors, smells, and room upkeep.
- Some dorm layouts may function like walkthrough rooms, so privacy and noise control can vary.
- Maintenance and facilities can be uneven, including air conditioning, kitchen equipment, sinks, fans, lockers, signage, and caravan rooms.
- Service can be very helpful, but there are also past problems with check-in, payments, refunds, local advice, and volunteer coordination.
- Social activity is not guaranteed every night, and this may feel quieter or less organized at times.