White Nest

The staff were wonderful, and breakfast was simple but just right for us. The kitchen is a little small, though that comes with staying in a classic old building. It’s a very old Arab-style villa, and being there really felt like stepping back in time. The hostel is in a great spot for exploring the Albayçin, while the Alhambra is a 20-minute uphill walk. We had a quadruple room with a private bathroom, and free WiFi was available. I stayed here a couple of weeks ago with my husband, our five-year-old son, and my father. We all had an excellent stay.

The only small drawback was having no proper place to hang out together at night. The common room was comfortable for relaxing, but drinks weren’t allowed there, so it didn’t work well for evening drinks. Our room itself was amazing, with a direct view of the Alhambra.

The heating eventually came on the next day, and we were able to move back into the first room. The private double room was spacious, as was the bathroom, and the size felt fair for the price. But by then we’d had a rough night. I went down to the kitchen for cereal on our last morning, and when I returned, my watch was peeking out from under a sheet of paper on the bedside table. I’d searched every corner the day before. It seemed the cleaning lady had found it and then decided it wasn’t worth keeping. She hadn’t even reset the time, which was almost amusing. We’d spent three nights at the White Nest Hostel with my girlfriend, and it was mostly unpleasant. The place looks inviting at first, with a bright patio and marble floors that I imagine keep things cool in summer. In February, though, the underfloor heating wasn’t working properly, and our room was about 5°C (40°F) when we arrived. We were told it would take a while to warm up, so we went for a stroll. When we got back and it still wasn’t working, I asked to use a room on the third floor for the time being. Its mattresses were so saggy that I could almost feel the springs digging into my back, but I was too tired to ask to move again. After just three or four hours of sleep, I realized I’d left my not particularly expensive watch in the first room. When I went back to look, a cleaning lady was mopping the floor, and denied seeing it when I asked. The staff had told us, laughing, that a horde of French backpackers had just about torn the place apart. Most guests seemed to be young backpackers looking for fun. If you’re travelling with your partner, I’d spend another €10 and find a hotel.

The internet only worked downstairs in the common areas, not in the rooms. Those shared spaces had funky decor, with different colors and hanging curtains. The location was great for the Alhambra, and walking down the road from the hostel gives you a really nice view of it. I stayed in a six-person mixed dorm. It had its own bathroom with a shower and its own set of lockers.