Lodging Review: Hostal Mesones Granada
Hostal Mesones might be one of the best values in lodging that I've ever encountered. This was a holiday weekend, and as such a lot of hostels and hotels were already fully booked, or had a 2 night minimum stay. I panicked and chose the first hotel on booking.com I saw that was in my price range. I was highly suspicious about the booking though - I'd never used booking.com before, and while I was able to book the room on the site, Hostal Mesones's own site showed that it was fully booked.
I sent an email to the hotmail.com address that booking.com included, and got a prompt reply reconfirming my reservation - one night stay in an individual room for €25. I had extremely low expectations for this price, which is what a bunk bed in a hostel dorm room often costs in Europe!
I showed up and was greeted by the extremely friendly proprietor, who lives on the same floor as the lobby (the first floor up from ground). She told me that she usually closes the reception at 10pm, but stayed up waiting for me - I arrived around 10:50pm. She then showed me to my Very Yellow and Plaid Room.
It had a twin bed, closet, sink, table and chair, and even a TV and a few wall decorations! This is perfect for me - the privacy of my own room with my own sink, at a bargain basement price. I've learned that a hostal in Spain is a bit different from a regular hostel (which also exist in Spain), in that the rooms tend to be individual rooms rather than a dorm room.
I shared the bathroom with just one other room (of two guys).
It was an extremely clean and odor-free bathroom.
I could tell that the noise isolation isn't that great, but thankfully the guys in the other room were very quiet. There's noise coming from the pedestrian street which the hostal faces, but nothing that earplugs and being very tired couldn't solve.
The next morning, there was even breakfast included in the €25! It was a Spanish breakfast, though a bit more bountiful than normal I believe. Three slices of toast (which you toast in one of two toasters), a packaged magdalena, butter, two types of jam, orange juice, and a freshly brewed coffee.
Breakfast was served in the bright Euro-modern reception area, a contrast to the rest of the more traditionally decorated rooms and staircases.
I would highly recommend the Hostal Mesones for a short stay in Granada. The location is quite central being near the Catedral, the service was friendly, and the price was just right!
