Bastardo Hostel

The vibe is definitely party-oriented, but it’s a pretty good hostel overall, with a decent level of cleanliness and a nice atmosphere. A few practical details could use attention. The kitchen has a labeled silverware drawer, but it’s empty, and although guests are warned to label food in the refrigerators, there are no labels or pens around. In the bathrooms, hand towels are provided, which is good, but there are no hooks, so they pile up by the sink. There’s nowhere in the bunks to keep small things like a phone, glasses, earplugs, or a book while you sleep. The power outlets are awkwardly low beside the mattress, and I bumped into my charger several times overnight. Under-bed storage is also too small for a full-sized suitcase. That leaves bags around the room, where they get in the way and feel less secure. Looking at the cabinet design, it seems some space is wasted in both directions.

Staff were friendly and available around the clock, and there’s a lot to do here, including a bar, board games, and a rooftop terrace for hanging out with other travelers. We were mostly in town to visit a friend, so we didn’t join the hostel activities ourselves. Our six-bed dorm was laid out well and gave us a decent amount of privacy, though reaching the bathroom means walking past other bunks. Curtains on the beds would be a nice addition. The beds were clean, but the space beside the mattresses looked like it hadn’t been vacuumed recently. Roommates can shape your stay in any hostel: ours included two girls who came in around 3 a.m. and weren’t quiet. A reminder about nighttime consideration might help. You pay extra for towels in shared rooms and need your own lock for the lockers. Bringing both can save some money, but this wasn’t communicated to us, which was a minor annoyance. The hostel has two elevators, a well-equipped kitchen with a microwave, a fridge with a clear system for labeling food, and a washer and dryer for a small fee. It’s in a great location. Bastardo Hostel works well if you want a lively, social place with activities. If quiet matters more, a private room may suit you better.

The neighborhood is great, with plenty of shops and places to eat and drink, and it’s easy to reach the metro. There’s also a popular bar and eatery on the ground floor. Our family room was clean and well equipped, and the welcome was friendly and helpful. They let us leave our luggage there for a while after checkout.

A remarkable, stunning place to stay in Madrid. The staff and amenities are awesome, breakfast is tasty, and they put on events for guests and residents. I’d recommend it.