Safestay Madrid Central

I overall liked my stay and would recommend. The 8 people rooms were big and I liked the compartment where you could store things on each bunk

The hostel is great for both large and small groups; always bring a padlock for the locks.

I came back to my first-ever hostel in Madrid after 7 years, hoping to relive a good memory. Left feeling sad, disrespected, and heartbroken. For €35/night (almost double what many Madrid hostels charge), I expected basic respect. Instead: · No kitchen, no fridge – what if I had medication needing refrigeration or wanted to store food? · Bathrooms with visible mold, swollen doors from water damage, lockers too small for a normal backpack. · Cheapest IKEA mattresses, no free towel (€3.50/day for Primark quality), no free luggage storage after checkout – they charge for everything. · Refuse cash, demand full card details on reception (not from booking) + CVV stored "just in case" with no clear protection policy. But the worst was how they treated me. I paid for two nights, but was only told upon arrival that I couldn't keep the same bed. Nobody warned me before booking or after payment. Their solution: wake up early (10-11 AM), pack everything, check out, leave my belongings, wait 5 hours until 3 PM, then check into another bed. Unnecessary packing and losing hours of my day because of their internal organization. They said this was "normal" – I've stayed in hostels across many countries and never experienced this. When I explained this would ruin my plans, they refused to help. In the morning, cleaning ladies banged around while I was still sleeping, stripping beds like I was an inconvenience. The manager laughed when I said I felt disrespected, spent minutes trying to find the hidden fine print on his website, and told me I "agreed to terms." He refused a refund for my unused second night, said I wouldn't find elsewhere because the Pope was arriving, and tried to convince me to stay. Only when I insisted on leaving did solutions suddenly appear: the bed could be ready at 12 PM, a free towel appeared, flexibility magically existed. Late checkout by five minutes? The system automatically charges a full extra day. A hostel that cares would have told me about the bed change before payment. Instead, this place runs on hidden charges, inflexible rules, and indifference. It's not worth it – not just for the poor infrastructure, but for how they treat you when something unexpected happens. I will not return. Sharing so other travelers can avoid the same disappointment.

Granted it was very busy, but they only have one person at a time operating the desk so it takes awhile to check in/ check out. Overall good and clean room. Bathrooms had some issues and towels are 4 euros which lower my experience.

I only stayed for one night, but I enjoyed myself. The bathrooms were clean enough, and the bed was pretty comfy. What makes this place is the location!!! It was super close to two different metro stations, which made getting around very easy. The surrounding area was also pretty, and there were a few bars and restaurants on the same street. The staff was incredibly kind, and the check-in process was easy. I would stay here again :)

I stayed here for two nights to visit the Book Fair from Malaga, and honestly, it was great value for money. I'm not one to be swayed by bad reviews (unless they're really extreme), so even so, I decided this would be my hostel, and I don't regret it. It's true that I mostly used the bed and the room (I didn't use the dining area or other amenities) since I spent more time exploring Madrid than staying inside, but I found the room quiet (you also have to be lucky enough to get roommates who aren't disruptive!), the bed comfortable, and there was a small space to put your things with a power outlet. Regarding the bathroom, you also have to be lucky with the other guests; it's not the same to have a peaceful and friendly experience as it is to get stuck with some crazy person who starts going up to the women's hallway and causing a nuisance. I thought the bathroom would be in the room, but no, it's in the hallway. I was lucky that it was always empty and everything was clean and in good condition. Perhaps my only complaint would be about the locks on the bathroom stalls, but since I always found the hallways empty, it didn't bother me much. Speaking of locks, some people complain about the lockers, which I can understand if you have a huge suitcase or backpack, but in my case, I had a carry-on bag, it fit perfectly, and it closed securely. On their website, they themselves tell you to bring your own padlock (and that they don't accept cash, they make that clear too! That could be a problem if there's a power outage...). The room windows have curtains, which is great now that it gets light so early. The guy at the front desk who checked me in on June 1st, 2026, around 8-9 pm was very friendly, quick, and willing to help. The hostel is very well located, with two metro stops nearby, a supermarket next door, and the heart of Madrid about a 15-minute walk away. It's very well connected to everything and you can't get lost. If I ever return to Madrid and need an affordable option, I'll come back here! :)