Auberge de Jeunesse HI Arles

The one thing I'd suggest is adding a power outlet at every bed for guests' devices. At the moment, there's just one triple receptacle in the room, halfway up the wall by the door. Otherwise, this hostel is well appointed with what budget travelers need and was noticeably clean throughout. It's fairly close to the Arles SNCF station, and grocery stores, restaurants, attractions, and plenty of other shops are within walking distance.

There's an easy ten-minute walk to the city center, so the location keeps you close to everything while avoiding the noise and bustle. The hostel is spacious, and at least during my stay there weren't many guests. In my eight-bed room, we never had more than four people at once. There were plenty of toilets, showers, and sinks, and the bathrooms were very clean. I enjoyed cooking in the pleasant outdoor kitchen and eating in the lovely courtyard. Staff were quite friendly, and many guests were sociable. Breakfast was free but a bit basic. My room had just one spot with four plugs, so charging things was a little inconvenient. I highly recommend it, especially for solo travelers hoping to make friends.

The hostel had everything I needed, including indoor and outdoor common spaces, a kitchen, a reasonably priced bar, and large, secure lockers with locks provided. Staff were reliable and friendly. A good, varied breakfast was included in the bed price, making it excellent value. It's in a pleasant, green, peaceful area near the famous site of Alycamps, and a short walk from Arles center. The train station is a 27-minute walk away, and the route is well signposted. I highly recommend this hostel.

Breakfast made for an easy, healthy start to the day. The Auberge is a lively, affordable place to meet other travelers and swap stories. The staff seem used to managing a large establishment, and they're friendly without hovering.