Hostal Juarez

The Problem

Xavier, the owner, was paying a ton of money in fees to Booking.com and Airbnb every time someone reserved a room. Pretty much every booking went through those platforms, and each one took a cut. He needed his own site where guests could book directly, see what the hostel actually looks like, and figure out how to get there.

Direct Booking System

I built a booking system so guests can reserve rooms right on the site, no middleman. For Xavier, that meant keeping more of his revenue and having a direct line to his guests. For me, it was one of those projects where the impact is really clear and immediate.

Maps Integration

The hostel is in a part of town where finding the exact spot can be confusing if you don’t know the area. I added a feature that detects whether you’re on iOS or Android and opens Apple Maps or Google Maps with the destination already filled in. One tap, and you’re navigating there. Small thing, but it makes a real difference for travelers arriving in an unfamiliar city.

Mural Gallery

The hostel has these beautiful murals painted by local artists, and Xavier wanted to show them off properly. I built an interactive gallery with frosted glass overlays so you can browse through the artwork without it feeling cluttered. The murals are a big part of what makes the hostel feel special, so it was important to give them the presentation they deserved.

What Changed

• Google rankings went up for local search terms
• More guests started booking directly instead of through platforms
• Xavier can update the site content on his own without calling me
• Guests actually leave positive feedback about the booking experience

Working with Xavier

Xavier is the kind of client I like working with, someone who cares deeply about what they’re building and trusts you to help them get there. His testimonial means a lot to me, just because it shows the work actually mattered to his business.