ARCO Gran Via Boutique Apartments

The location is good, with shops and historic areas close by, but that doesn't make up for the problems here. I found the room itself okay, though the place felt dirty and the cleaning wasn't good enough. Housekeeping should come every day for basic hygiene. Other guests made a lot of noise, with loud calls and doors slamming at 3, 4 and 5 a.m. Reception should enforce quiet hours. The staff also seemed indifferent and weren't welcoming; I felt uncomfortable from the moment I arrived. I left two rings in the shared bathroom after a shower and knew exactly where I'd left them. When I came back about 30 minutes later, they were gone. I reported it to reception right away, but staff kept saying I'd lost them and didn't try to find out what happened. I asked to put up a simple note asking whoever found them to return them to reception. They initially refused, calling it “advertising.” After I pushed, the manager agreed to print one, but showed little concern or involvement. I lost trust in the hostel over this. My belongings disappeared after a brief lapse, and there was no useful help, solution or sense of responsibility. I don't recommend staying here. In my opinion, the lack of security is unhealthy and unacceptable. The rings were left behind on a simple oversight, not lost in an unknown place. For that situation, the response from the staff was especially disappointing.

The location was a real plus, with Piazza Sol and the Prado Museum both within a 15-minute walk. Wi-Fi was excellent, and free drinking water was available around the clock. There was a microwave and kettle in the second-floor common area, which also had an €8-per-person breakfast buffet. Cups, bowls and forks were provided. My bed was soft and had privacy curtains, a reading light and two charging outlets. The lockable space underneath was big enough for my 40+ liter hiking pack and 25-liter backpack. I was on the lower bunk, though, and bumped my head easily when looking up. Bathrooms and showers were outside the room, with separate men's and women's facilities and two of each. Plenty of hot water, but no hairdryer. Luggage storage was free before check-in and charged after check-out. There was a €5 key deposit at check-in, returned when I checked out.

My bed was comfortable, and the eight-bed women's dorm and shared bathroom on the floor were both okay. The one awkward thing was that a bed had been placed right beneath the ceiling light. I got that spot, and whenever someone switched on the room light while I was trying to fall asleep, it was shining directly over me.

I checked out of room 209 on 1 June 2026 and left my bag with the two girls at reception. When I picked it up and got to my next place, I discovered my Philip sonictooth brush had been stolen from the bag. I called the hotel, but nobody answered. I went back and said they could return it and we'd be fine, but the receptionist who came after, a tattooed tomboy, just smiled in a way I found evil. She was rude and completely unprofessional. She said they could check the cameras and told me to call the police. There's now a case against them. My belongings were at reception, and the two reception girls know what happened. I suggest people don't trust the staff. This kind of thing happens when you hire cheap laborers from cheap zones. Sad but true. Please avoid.