Palma Port Hostel - Albergue Juvenil

We couldn’t bear to stay in the hostel room. It smelled strongly of body odor, the mattresses had stains, and the pillowcases smelled greasy. When we asked whether a refund might be possible, the man at reception got upset and said, “this is ridiculous.” It’s also a long way from anything central.

I was glad to find the bathrooms clean every time, and the showers had hot water. The beds and rooms were clean and fresh, with curtains for privacy, plus a plug socket or USB port and a lamp at each bunk. The lockers under the beds fit all my bags. Towels, hairdryers, and locker locks cost extra, which is pretty standard in hostels. It takes around 40 minutes to walk to the town centre, or 20 minutes by bus, and several bus routes stop right by the hostel. There’s a good mix of restaurants and bars within a 15-20 minute walk, along a pleasant route by the port. After checkout, staff kindly stored my luggage so I could keep exploring. I’d gladly stay again and recommend it.

The bathroom had a reasonable number of stalls and showers, but there wasn’t really anywhere to keep your things dry while showering. I also wasn’t keen on having to rent a towel for €4. The walls are very thin, so noise carries from the neighboring rooms. The rooms themselves were good, with curtains, charging ports, and lights at each bed. Staff were helpful and friendly, and one person recommended clubs and bars nearby. There’s a kitchen with plates and utensils. You’re close to the water and bars, but quite far from the main city area.

Antonieta was genuinely kind and did her best to help me feel more comfortable. I appreciated her care and professionalism, especially since most of the staff seemed passive, offering an apology without making much effort to solve anything. It left me feeling that management didn’t put guests’ wellbeing first. I booked through Booking.com while money was tight, needing two nights in Palma before joining a friend. The photos and descriptions of the four- and eight-bed dorms looked clean, spacious, and manageable. The experience was very different. Because of my name, staff first put me in a male dorm, despite my written note saying I’m female. They only understood after I called to explain, which caused a lot of stress. The eight-bed women’s room was cramped and unlike the photos. The bunks were small, and the ladders to the top beds were badly designed. Air circulation was awful: weak air conditioning, no open window, cigarette smoke coming from the garden, and unpleasant smells. It felt like a prison cell, and my mild claustrophobia made it especially hard. I asked to move to a four-bed room, but that room was for men only. I spent one uneasy night there, then moved back when another man arrived because I wasn’t comfortable sharing it. The sheets were stained, towels and lockers cost extra, and guests had to make their own beds. Getting to the top bunk was difficult. I’m diabetic, and at one point I lost my balance and my glucose monitor came off. Luckily I had a spare, but I spent that night in the garden instead of sleeping in the room. It was a very unpleasant stay, and I’ve learned this sort of hostel isn’t right for mature travellers. It may suit younger backpackers, but I didn’t find the comfort, cleanliness, or basic respect adults need. I won’t book a hostel again.