Big Fish Hostel Las Palmas

Right in the heart of Las Palmas, this hostel has a friendly, laid-back feel, and the terrace is the best part. The dorms are cramped, packed with beds, and offer almost nowhere to put your luggage. You might not get much sleep, so it suits people who want to meet others and don't mind the noise. Still, the great atmosphere keeps winning guests over.

The location is great, but nothing about the stay made it worth it. I've stayed in hostels all over the world and love hostel life, yet this was by far the worst experience I've had. I paid extra for a room with an ensuite bathroom, only to be put in a space behind reception in the living room. The wall was paper thin, and the room had no lock, so staff could come in whenever they wanted. During all six nights, despite the supposed quiet period after 11 pm, dozens of people were around with loud music, shouting, and late-night jam sessions. When I complained one night, I was told to get earplugs. The staff were the rudest we met in Las Palmas, both at check-in and throughout the stay. They gave us no information about events or day trips, and we missed a tapas night in the old town because nobody told us about it. Avoid this place. Everyone sharing my room was a stranger, but we all agreed it was the worst hostel stay of our lives.

It feels very cozy, almost like home, and they clean every day and change the towels. There's always shampoo and shower gel in the showers, plus a hair straightener and hair dryer, so you don't have to bring those. The staff are very friendly and regularly organize activities inside and outside the hostel. The location and atmosphere are great. Definitely a place to visit!

The location is the one real advantage: it’s beside the beach and an easy walk to Santa Catalina Park. The rest of the stay was awful. I was put in a room next to reception and the common area, with its own bathroom, which seemed fine at first. Then we found out the wall barely muffled the staff’s music, conversations and loud laughing. On both Friday and Saturday they kept going until 2 a.m., shouting things like “sleep is overrated,” despite the advertised quiet hours after 11. When we complained one night, staff told us to get earplugs and carried on for about another hour. The advertised 24-hour reception was no better. At 2:30 a.m., guests were desperately pressing the buzzer and getting no response because the receptionist had fallen asleep on the couch. They only got let in after we woke him. This place isn’t worth staying at for the location. Don’t come here if you want sleep or basic respect as a paying guest. Shame.