La Cigale

We changed to another, quiet hostel at 11:30 pm and got our money back after some discussion. This place knows about the noise problem, and it was the only accommodation during my five weeks of travel where I had to pay before going to the room. On weekends, don’t book here if you want to sleep before 2 am. It’s basically a huge, very loud bar, with rooms right above the open space. The doors and windows are just decoration, they do nothing to block the loud music and people literally screaming.

I’ve only tried the crepes with béchamel sauce, and they’re so good I don’t even open the menu. Everyone I’ve gone there with has apparently raved about the selection too, which is good since I was the one who recommended it.

The staff were easily the best part. I met a few of them, and everyone was friendly and helpful. I’d only planned to spend a few hours in Cuenca, but a bus problem left me needing a bed for the whole day and night. With an event on, everything seemed booked, but I got a shared-room bed here by chance, and it worked out really well. The location is right in the city centre. There’s a bar downstairs, noisy until 1 am, though there’s no annoying bass, so earplugs or being tired should help. My room was clean, the bed comfortable, and the bathroom was in the room. They also store luggage. No shared kitchen, but they gave me hot water for tea, and breakfast in the morning was tasty. The bar looks nice and is very popular. I was too tired to try the drinks myself, which I regret. Thank you!

I asked for a mixed fruit juice using whatever fruit they needed to use up, and it was the best juice ever. The service was friendly and competent. Speaking Spanish, or at least trying to, may help, since they’ve probably had their share of experiences with snobby gringos.