Hostal La Macarena

The single room was dated but very clean and had air conditioning. I also noticed a strange smell throughout the third floor that was overpowering at times. My main issue was the lack of natural light, which I hadn’t known about before booking. There was a window facing the “interior patio,” but the outside blinds were dusty and, as far as I could tell, couldn’t be opened. The room stayed very dark during the day, so I had to switch on the light as soon as I woke up. I wish I’d known that beforehand. The hostel’s central location makes it convenient for sightseeing without much travel or expense. The surrounding area gets extremely busy, especially on weekends, though that isn’t the hostel’s fault. Service on arrival was okay, but a bit cold. I booked a single room.

The location is central, and outside noise at night made it impossible to get a decent rest. The room was run-down and in poor condition. The worst part came when we asked the front desk about storing our luggage. They said it was fine, but no one mentioned a fee. After we left, they added the charge to a small slip attached to our bags without telling us or showing us. When we came back, they refused to release the luggage until we paid. The receipt makes it clear the fee was added after we left, as shown in the photo. It felt like they were trying to squeeze every penny out of us, and I found the whole thing dishonest and shocking. It felt like extortion, an absolute scam. The young female receptionist had a terrible attitude and a sour expression, as if we owed her money. This place is a disaster, and I definitely don’t recommend it. Avoid it at all costs.

We found the place really pleasant, and its location was the biggest plus. Most sights, bars, restaurants, and even the metro are an easy walk away. The staff were friendly, and not speaking Spanish didn’t cause us any trouble. They have a system where you leave your room key at the 24-hour reception while you’re out sightseeing. The windows are renovated, so street noise stays out, though sounds from neighboring rooms carry through. It didn’t bother us much since we mainly came back to sleep. I’d happily recommend it.

The location is pleasant, though getting to the Metro takes a fair walk and that gets tiring when you’re exploring the city. The rooms really aren’t soundproof. I was woken by the receptionist sneezing, and you can hear pipes and people talking too. Bring earplugs or use white noise if you want a decent night’s sleep. Our first impression was bad: an impatient, rude older man showed us around, spoke no English, and wouldn’t look at our translations. I’d look for somewhere else.