Location, location, location!!! This hostel was in the center of the center, within walking distance of all the major attractions and museums. Restaurants and multiple dining options based on budget. Spent weekend in Madrid after traveling from Amsterdam. At midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night felt like it was middle of the day. Streets were crowded and full of life. You have read that the hostel has no elevator and that the wooden stairs took some getting used to, but location made up for that. Room was comfortable and had basic amenities such as shampoo and soap. Towels and house keeping was done daily even though they said no housekeeping. The rooms were different, but standard, clean and quiet. There is no coffee or tea service in rooms, but cafes all around the area. I only took the metro/subway to and from the airport.