HOSTEL REVIEW: Hostal Mayrit and Hostal Ivor, Madrid, Spain

OVERALL RATING: 5/5

DATE OF VISIT: September 11 to 13, 2010 and September 15, 2010

PLUSES: Hostel Mayrit and Hostel Ivor belong to the same owner and are located in the same building. Ivor is on the 2nd floor and Mayrit, on the 3rd. The location of these hostels cannot be more impeccable. It's at the middle of the Calle Arenal, which means that you're near both Puerta del Sol (Spain's Kilometer Zero) and the Palacio Real, Catedral de la Almudena and the Plaza Mayor. The street itself is lined with shops, bars and restaurants, so grabbing a quick bite is not a chore. The nearest Metro stop (Opera) is a stone's throw away. The rooms are simple but are quite well-kept. There's airconditioning in every room should you wish to visit Madrid during the summer. There's a small TV, too, with the standard Spanish channels. The bathrooms are surprisingly very well-furnished for a budget hostel; there's free shampoo and soap, a hair dryer, and perfumed towels. The personnel has an outstanding rapport with the clients.

MINUSES: There's only a small elevator that connects the ground floor to the hostels above. If you're travelling with big luggages, the technique will be to send all the luggages upstairs in the lift while you make your way through the stairs.

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