HiHome Hostel

The location, right across from the train station, is excellent. But the sheet still had marks from the previous guest, so it didn’t look like it had been changed. Check-in had a few bugs and wasn’t as smooth as I expected. The balcony door was locked, and noise from other rooms carried clearly, even ordinary conversations.

The rooms were neat and clean, and I really liked the home-like feel. There’s no in-person service; Laura sent the three access codes on WhatsApp for the front entrance, hostel door, and room. The instructions left out how to turn the knobs, and I was grateful other travelers were there to help. As a foreigner without a SIM card, I had to pay $12 for Bluetooth on the day I arrived just to get inside. The other American couple who had just arrived in Spain had to do the same. If that won’t be a problem for you, go for it.

The beds were clean and comfortable, and the small lockers fit one bag. The place is clean and maintained, and it actually has a pretty good vibe. I started out frustrated, so my earlier tone was harsher than it should have been. Still, the rooms don’t have air conditioning, and in summer you’re toast. There’s no way to bring in fresh air except leaving the windows open. The floors creak a lot, and the fully online, app-controlled management could cause trouble if there’s a booking issue. It can feel like a haunted house because there’s so little lighting inside. If something goes wrong, you’re stuck. It isn’t a hellhole or a terrible place, but be aware of these things and be prepared. Management should be more robust and work a little differently if it’s going to be completely personless.

It’s a beautiful, clean hostel in a good location, but the digital check-in through an app leaves it without much of a human touch. Nobody welcomes you or shows you around. The building is quite old, and the floor squeaks.