Hostal Rom

When we first arrived, the hotel seemed basic and a bit dated, but it really grew on us. First of all, the staff were great. The room was spacious, with two windows onto a landing filled with plants. The bathroom, perfectly functional and surprisingly large, with quiet a/c and ceiling fan. I was a bit worried about noise (we could hear neighbours through the courtyard in the daytime,) but it was perfectly quiet both nights. The breakfast was a good value continental style with strong drip coffee. The bar with Danish modern chairs and outdoor terrasse added vibrancy to the hotel. Location was perfect (steps from the beach, market, restaurants) and close to free parking, which staff can direct you to. An understated gem!

I have read other reviews of the hotel referring to the age of the building, etc. I couldn't disagree more. I have been on the road now for several months, cycling around Catalonia, and in my experience, I would much rather have a super friendly staff ready to help out any way they can than a super modern, cold and sterile place with indifferent staff. I can afford hotels of any price, I spent a week at the Hostel de Los Reyes Catolicos in Santiago last month after completing the via de la plata. In my experience, always go for a family run establishment over a large chain. The star system in Spain is meaningless. I have stayed in two star places that were amazing, and I have stayed in four star places that I felt like leaving in the middle of the night. Hostel Rom is the real deal, and I will definitely be back in the future. The owners and staff are absolutely first rate, professional, and really decent people, and the location is excellent.

I guess I didn't realize this hostel was a hotel until I got to my room (I was glad about this because even though it's pretty cheap for a hotel, it's a little pricy for a hostel). There's nothing wrong with this place, it's just an older building and the rooms are very basic. I really appreciated how quiet it was at night and I slept very well.