Dobo Marco Polo

We arrived and called to check in, only to be told they'd lost our reservation, which we'd booked through their own website. We spent hours outside trying to sort it out over the phone. Eventually they said they'd found it, then quickly stopped answering our calls. The next day they issued a refund without telling us, leaving us to find somewhere else at the last minute.

The location by Plaza España is great, and I didn't need a bus or subway to get around. There are good restaurants nearby too. My room suited one person perfectly, with a comfortable mattress, a spacious bathroom and enough room for my luggage. Don't be put off by the word “hostel.” I've stayed in four-star hotels that weren't as clean or nice. There's no traditional reception, but when I had questions or problems before check-in, they handled them diligently on the phone and even called back to make sure everything was okay. Loved it.

Everything was clean, and the automatic check-in went smoothly. Still, the rooms are rather small and there isn't a reception, so it feels very costly for what you get. The Hostal is in an older palace, and I expected something better.

The room was tiny and let in a lot of noise, but I did get decent sleep and the location was good. The street felt shady and unpleasant. There's a slow elevator, with stairs to climb before you reach it.