TOC Hostel Barcelona

A cheap bed two stops from everything

TOC Hostel occupies a building on the Gran Via, on the sea side, between Plaça Universitat and Sant Antoni. It is a well-kept hostel, with enclosed wooden bunks in dormitories of six to eight beds and also private suites for two or for four. There are women-only rooms. A shared bed is advertised from €25 a night; the double suite from €110, and the quadruple from €150.

It is chosen by people who come to Barcelona to do things and not to spend the afternoon in their room: from here you can walk to La Rambla, the Raval and Sant Antoni, and Universitat metro is two minutes away.

Kitchen, pool and a night-long reception

Reception is open 24 hours and access to the rooms is by fingerprint. Each bed has a safe. The shared kitchen is open from 7:00 to 23:00 with a microwave, toaster and kettle, so you can have dinner with what you buy at the market. Buffet breakfast costs €12 and is served from 8:00 to 11:00. There is a bar, a laundry and luggage storage for the day of arrival and departure. From April to October the pool opens in the courtyard of the block, with a terrace.

Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out at 11:00. In shared rooms, towels can be rented at reception for €2.50. Under-18s only stay in a private room and with an adult, and pets are not allowed, except guide dogs in private rooms. If you book on its website, you can cancel free up to 48 hours before.

Universitat round the corner, Aerobús in the square

Universitat metro (L1 and L2) is two minutes' walk. From the airport, the Aerobús stops at Plaça Universitat.