The Venue Hostel Boutique

My stay at The Venue went really well. When the bathroom tap broke in the morning, I called staff and one of them quickly stopped the leak and alerted maintenance. A new tap was ready later that day. Then the air conditioning in my 10-bed room stopped working, and we were absolutely melting. A staff member came and fixed it in less than five minutes. Those things may sound small, but how staff handle them makes a big difference. The place was clean from reception to the rooms, the WiFi worked well, and the neighbourhood was quiet. Staff were friendly and very helpful. My one real complaint is about other guests in shared rooms. Please don't turn on the main lights after 10 or 11 at night. Every bed has its own light for a reason.

The rooms were clean, and the staff were friendly and helpful, but this still wasn't what I came for. It felt more like a hotel than a social backpacker hostel, with lots of older people around. There were no social events while I was there, and not a single message in the WhatsApp group. The kitchen had only a microwave, a boiler and a fridge, with barely any dishes. The location wasn't ideal either, though Lil Qalal is a good Indian restaurant. This was one of the least social hostels I've stayed in during my two months travelling around Spain.

A comfortable bed, and friendly, helpful staff. It's a nice place if you want some distance from the city's hustle and bustle. The kitchen is very small and basic for a hostel this size. Breakfast is available at a reasonable price, and there are bars and restaurants nearby where you can easily get food.

The activities were a nice way to meet people, and the staff were really kind and helpful. Having air conditioning in the rooms was great. As a woman travelling solo, I felt safe in the area and had no trouble walking around at night. It's about a 30-minute walk from the centre, and farther from the beach, so the location isn't the best for those. There's a metro station close by, and a 10-trip card costs only 5 euros.