Central location in Chueca, near bars, restaurants, boutiques, and LGBT venues
Two-block walk to Alonso Martinez Metro station
Bright, airy dorms and rooms with central air-conditioning
Some rooms have balconies with nice city views
Floors reserved for women plus private rooms with en-suite bathrooms
Communal kitchen and bar; breakfast available for a fee
Library and cinema room plus on-site laundry facilities
On-site bike rentals plus organized tours and activities
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
24/7 reception
Guests may be loud at times and noise can travel
Central air-conditioning isn't adjustable
Breakfast is not included in rates
Towels must be rented
The 42-room U Hostels is a budget property with a convenient location in northern Chueca, near many bars, restaurants, boutiques, and the city's main LGBT venues. It's also just two blocks from the Alonso Martinez Metro station. Rooms are airy, bright, and clean, and the hostel is centrally air-conditioned. Private rooms are available with en-suite bathrooms, and one floor is reserved for women only. Dorms house up to 12 guests with shared bathrooms -- previous guests report that these are blissfully line free. Breakfast is available for a fee, and there's an on-site bar. Communal spaces include a kitchen, library, cinema, and a laundry room. Travelers looking for an alternative hostel in the area could consider the Hostal Zamora, but its rooms are bland compared to those at U Hostels.
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Scene
Bright, stylish hostel with good communal spaces and organized activities
This bright, stylish hostel is housed in a renovated 19th-century palace, but the fresh, modern interiors certainly betray those historic origins. The vibe is fun right off the bat, as a large yellow smiley face and the words "Explore, Enjoy, Meet, Relax, Sleep" greet guests. That quirky vibe continues throughout the property, which is generally lively with younger travelers at almost all times (though it falls short of being a party hostel). Swings hang from the ceiling in the hallways, and cushions placed on the Astroturf flooring invite lounging. The vibe here is youthful, friendly, and relaxed. It attracts young people from all over, many of them in groups, but also plenty of individual travelers. Communal spaces and organized activities provide ways for guests to score those backpacker bonds that make any hostel worth its bargain rates.
Location
At the north end of Chueca, close to bars, restaurants, LGBT venues, and the metro
This hostel is situated in lively Chueca, one of the most popular districts of central Madrid, particularly among LGBT citizens and travelers. The neighborhood is packed with bars, clubs, and restaurants, as well as boutiques, fancy markets, and art galleries. Malasana, the city's hippest barrio, is also only within a 10-minute walk. U Hostels is near two metro stations, Alonso Martinez and Bilbao, though the former is only two blocks away, making it a little bit closer. Plaza de Cibeles can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot and Retiro Park in about 20 minutes. The Prado, Thyssen, and Reino Sofia museums are about 30 minutes away by public transportation. Plan on 30 minutes to reach Madrid Barajas Airport by taxi or public transportation.
Rooms
Bright and airy dorms and suites include air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi; some with balconies
U Hostels has both private rooms (suites) with en-suite bathrooms and dorms for up to 12 people with shared bathrooms. One floor is reserved only for women. Dorms are spacious, bright, and clean, with wood-laminate floors, white lockers, and white beds and bunk beds with white linens. Sheets are provided for free, but towels cost extra. Accent colors are vivid shades of purple, pink, orange, lime green, and cobalt blue, and each of the five floors has a different color and theme. Quotes from famous people are painted on the wall, some in English and some in Spanish. Each bed has a power outlet and reading light, and Wi-Fi is free. Air-conditioning is central, and cannot be adjusted. The women-only rooms offer dressing tables with mirrors and hairdryers. Suites are the hostel's private rooms, and are tricked out with cooler decor, like antique-inspired pieces. Some rooms have balconies with lovely views of the city. Keep in mind that this is a hostel, and noise can be an issue from other guests.
Features
Breakfast available, bar, communal kitchen, laundry, library, cinema room, free Wi-Fi, bike rentals, and tours
U Hostels provides most everything needed for a low-cost hostel stay. Guests can start their day with a Spanish breakfast (fee) that includes milk, coffee, or orange juice, and either churros or toast with butter, jam, and tumaca, a traditional Spanish tomato spread. A higher-cost breakfast consists of espresso, orange juice, ham, cheese, toast, churros, cupcakes, and fruit. Vending machines dispense snacks, and this space also serves as a bar. A communal kitchen has a refrigerator, microwaves, an oven, and dishes. There are also self-service laundry facilities. The casual library space is a popular place for hanging out and planning the day's adventures. The adjacent cinema room has a large flat-screen TV on the wall and colorful cushions on three tiers for lounging and relaxing. Communal computers are available on each floor and in the library, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Classes and tours are a good way for guests to get to know others and socialize, and bikes can be rented on-site.
