Cool Hostels In Madrid

By Nancy Todd

Hostels can be cool places to stay.  It is important to know what you want and get your info before you arrive blurry eyed from that overseas flight.

Click here for a  great site for hostels in Madrid . They have a customer ranking system based on percentages in the following areas:  staff, cleanliness, safety, and value.    No booking fee.   Here’s some Scoop for you to consider:

l.  Elevators -  Some hostels are on upper floors.  If you have a 63 pound backpack, and your room is on the 8th floor, you definitely don’t want a walk up.

2.  Air Conditioning – Madrid cooks in the summer.  Yes,  even those of you  who rough it, believe me, you will want AC.

3.  Centrally located – This means different locations to different people.  Some hostals will promise you are close to EVERYTHING.  Wrong.  Impossible.  Google map your hostal location  if it is important to you.  Saving money on transportation and going back six times in awe of your favorite museum can be important criteria.

4.  Bathrooms – Just how many people are going to share a bathroom?  Are you ok with mixed gender bathrooms?

5.   Wireless access to the internet – Important to you?  Check it out before you book.

6.  Checking in and out – Some hostals have weird check in and out times that may not co-ordinate with your travel plans.

7.  Price? -  I won’t stay in a hostal that is under 20 euros, and that is pushing it.  I want my hostal clean with no creepy crawlies.

Prices listed vary with the time of year.  Need some tapas with your hostels?  Check out The Scoop’s recommendations in Madrid.

Color Host Hostal – Requires two night stay.  Fresh and, guess what?  Ikea colorful.  Close to stores, discos, restaurants. In Cueca neighborhood.  Double with pivate bath, 50 euros.  You are paying more for the color.    www.colorhost.com

Hostal Condestable -  All rooms with bathrooms.    Check out the pictures.  Clean and new.  AC.  30- 40 euros for a single.  www.hostalcondestable.com

Hostal Bahia Madrid – Central. Some rooms with balconies.  Extra beds 15 euros.  Free wireless.  Parking nearby.  22.50 euros.  Next to the Plaza del Sol in the center.  http://www.hostalbahiamadrid.es/en-index.html

Barbieri International Hostel – Free maps, a multi lingual staff, guest kitchen, and lots of tourist info.   A free breakfast is included.  I bet there are lots of corn flakes.  Twenty four hour staff.  http://www.barbierihostel.com/ privates, 22 euros.

Cat’s Hostel - Central with secure lockers.  Bar with very helpful staff.  Dorm rooms only.  Courtyard for hanging out.  Maybe you will see some cats.    17 euros.  www.catshostel.com