Be Barcelona Born

The staff made the place feel like a little community, and I’d happily return. It’s a small hostel right in central Barcelona, close to the park and loads of bars, cafés, and restaurants. The rooms were clean, though the mattresses felt a bit too soft, almost like memory foam, which doesn’t seem ideal when lots of people are sharing them. For a calm off-season stay, it’s a good choice.

It was a nice place for my first hostel experience, and I’d consider staying again if I’m back in Barcelona for MWC Barcelona. That conference happens in the first week of March each year, and all the Marriott-affiliated hotels were sold out, which is how I ended up here. Whoops! My private room had a little seating area, soft mattresses, and a door onto the veranda. The free wifi worked really well. I also appreciated being able to leave our bags, use the bathrooms, and sit for a few minutes before heading back out after an early check-in, though being told we could check in early made it sound as if the room would be ready too. That was a small communication mix-up. There’s a 2 euro charge per towel. I saw it listed on the website, but wanted to mention it here for transparency. The hostel is small and not staffed around the clock. Someone used the TV common room as a private bedroom instead of the bed they’d booked, so I couldn’t relax there when I got back in the evening. People smoked cigarettes on the veranda, and it seemed to be allowed. I couldn’t leave my veranda door open for the cool night air. Besides not liking the smell, I worried it might drift into my room and make it look like I’d smoked there. Bathrooms are shared.

There was a lot more food choice around Le Born than we expected, including Chinese food, Spanish tapas, and a big Chinese supermarket just across the street. The area also has shops and is close to the Arc De Triomf train station. We stayed at Born Barcelona Hostel, which is in an old building, but there’s a lift. Inside, it’s clean and well maintained, with friendly staff, a nicely decorated common room, a well-equipped kitchen, and plenty of very clean bathrooms. Our room was the only private room, so book early. The central AC seemed to be controlled, as the room tended to get hot later at night. Even so, we had a great stay.

Octavio’s service was so wonderful that I booked an extra night. Everyone who stays and works here was friendly, and the bathrooms were clean. The location also made for gorgeous walks that felt life-changing. I’d stay here again.