HelloBCN Hostel Barcelona

The HelloBCN Hostel is a superb 148-bed establishment located right around the corner from Paral-lel Metro stop, the Apolo Club and concert hall, and the countless bars, shops and restaurants in El Raval.

The hostel is decorated in red, charcoal and metal tones, with numerous black leather sofas throughout. It’s comfortable, it’s cool. There is always music playing, and the vibe is inviting and festive. What doesn’t this place have? The answer might be a guest over the age of 35! But for the young (or the young at heart), this is a pretty stellar spot.

The HelloBCN’s 148 beds are split between private double rooms and four-, six- and eight-bed dorms. Bed sheets are provided in all rooms.

The dorms are new, bright and no-nonsense, with just metal bunks, lockers, and colorful accent walls. And they’ve got the cleanliness thing dialed — not a towel out of place! Dorms are mixed gender for the most part, but there are a few all-female dorms available. Private doubles are similarly bare bones, and similarly spic-and-span.

Room doors and lockers are all accessed with ultra-modern electronic bracelets that are no-fuss and impossible to lose.

Each of the five private double rooms is outfitted with a private bathroom, while dorms share facilities. There are two enormous shared bathrooms on each floor (one for ladies and one for gents), each with three shower stalls and three toilets.

The folks at HelloBCN claim that their bathrooms are cleaned more often than those at any other Barcelona hostel, and we wouldn’t doubt it. A hairdryer is available at reception, and towels can be rented for an extra fee.

When it comes to the usual hostel perks, the HelloBCN has its bases covered and then some. There’s a cool lounge and bar area with a huge flat-screen television and table tennis. There’s a fetching garden/terrace area. And organized activities from pub crawls to clubbing to sightseeing tours keep the communal energy high.

Breakfast, included in the room rate, is served buffet-style and consists of toast, cereal, juice, tea, and pastries. Guests are required to do their own dishes after breakfast or any other meal, so it’s not surprising that we spotted a few lone cereal bowls in the communal kitchen (the only room in the hostel where we saw anything out of place).

Wi-Fi is free throughout, and there is also a free Internet station. The HelloBCN has a laundry room for cleaning that overflowing backpack of clothes. Bike rentals are available. And there’s a gym (it’s tiny, but it’s a gym).

Note that there is a refundable key deposit. Be careful, though: You get your deposit back as long as you check out by 11 a.m., but check out later and they keep it as a “late-check-out” fee.

Location

Even though the HelloBCN’s street is a tad dirty, we like the area. It used to be the city’s main entertainment district, and it’s making a comeback. Definitely, see what’s playing at the Apolo or any of the other clubs and theaters on Para-lel, and make sure to have lunch or dinner at the Apolo Diner, a burger joint on the corner with low prices and a tasty menu.

The hostel is also well placed for using public transportation, and it’s about a 15-minute walk to La Rambla.