Latroupe Poblenou Beach

The kitchen and chillout area were good, and the location worked well. The rooms felt so crowded that I was like a sardine, with too many people packed into the space. Ventilation wasn’t enough, and although the cleaners did a good job, things didn’t dry properly.

After trying four hostels in Barcelona, this was my favorite for its location. The bathrooms were clean, the showers were really nice, the beds comfortable, and the lockers roomy. The common area didn’t feel as social as at the other hostels I’ve stayed in, though.

The kitchen was useful for making meals, and there was free water, although the tank stayed empty and wasn’t topped up for most of my stay. Getting replies before booking was frustrating, and I had to follow up several times. A discount code came with mention of a welcome drink, but no one offered one. The location is decent, about 10 minutes from the metro and the beach, while the city center is around a 30-minute drive away. My room looked very clean and the bedding smelled fresh. I saw the cleaning staff around, but the bathrooms and toilets were disappointing. The sinks remained dirty for two days, the mirrors were dirty, and the tiles were either dirty or worn. I couldn’t see any improvement in cleanliness between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Mohammed was especially friendly and did his best to sort out a problem I had. I really appreciated the effort. There’s room to eat or work, and you can cook too, with enough showers. There’s only one toilet on the bedroom floor, though more are available on level 0. The beach is very close, while the city center takes around 25 minutes to reach. Very good value for money.