Piccolo Catalunya Hostel

Everything here was spotless, modern, and worked smoothly. There’s none of the cost-cutting you find at some other European hostels. It’s been four years since my last stay in an Italian hostel, and I should’ve remembered that Italy doesn’t do “cheap and nasty.” You check in at a hotel about a five-minute walk away, then go back there later to return the keys and collect your €5 deposit. The hostel is also around five minutes from the Old Town and harbour. You’ll pay more than you would for a cheap and nasty place, but it’s still the least expensive accommodation in Alghero. I was very satisfied.

The four-bed dorm had plenty of space, but my bed looked as if someone had already slept in it. Maybe they just leave the blanket and pillows piled up there. The mattress was firm and lumpy, and there was no towel in my locker. If you need staff to sort something out, it’s a 10-minute walk to find them.

I liked the clean rooms and handy lockers in the women-only dorm. The mattresses were quite firm, though, and I wasn’t sure the sheets were clean. For what I paid, I’d still call it a decent option. Reception is a 10-minute walk away, as mentioned beforehand. That felt odd, since there’s no staff on site if there’s a safety issue or emergency. Apart from sharing a room with strangers, the place didn’t feel much like a usual hostel. The shared common room had no windows and looked a bit cold, but that didn’t bother me much. It also seemed like there was hardly anyone around besides the women in my room, though maybe that was because it wasn’t summer. I did wonder why there were no full-length mirrors in either the women’s room or the common room. It would be nice if they added some.

The triple room had its own bathroom and terrace, and it was clean with everything we needed for a short stay. We booked Piccolo Catalunya for the location and price. Getting the key meant walking to a nearby hotel, but access was easy once we arrived. Clean facilities and a good spot made for a really good stay.