Hostal Aresol

The room had a comfortable bed, a well-equipped bathroom and a good window that blocked most street noise. The keys let you get to your room at any hour. It felt like more than a hostel, and being so central made it easy to find breakfast or lunch, with Starbucks just around the corner. This part of Madrid is busy and noisy by default, so earplugs are a good idea. I had some and found them very useful.

We stayed here last August. I only just noticed that the staff had responded to my Booking review, and wanted to share the exchange so people can see how they reply. Their understanding of my feedback clearly wasn’t great; they could at least have used ChatGPT to write a nicer response. My review said the room had very little in it, with no fridge, and that while it was fine for a two-star hotel, it wasn’t anything special. The building and rooms felt very old, and the A/C took ages to cool the room. I also said the staff were super friendly, helpful and always available. The property replied that perhaps I had the wrong hostel, that a fridge had never been listed, and that cooling the room quickly would be difficult if I didn’t close the windows. They said the building was ancient rather than old, dating from the start of the 20th century, and suggested I didn’t appreciate that. They also said the rooms had been fully refurbished in October 2018, as stated in the specifications, which they claimed I hadn’t read. They ended by saying at least they had been friendly and helpful, and that was what mattered to them.

I booked twice during this trip, on separate dates, and found the location great and the rooms clean. The man at reception was very polite, friendly and helpful. I only wish there had been a kettle.

The hostel is right in the center, about a two-minute walk from Sol station. I loved its rustic, original design and the building’s roughly 100-year-old character, including an old-fashioned elevator that suited the place perfectly. The man running it was very helpful and even waited for us when delays meant we arrived late, though he didn’t have to.