Sant Jordi Alberg Barcelona Hostel Review and Information

What sets them apart?

Who's staying here?

• Solo Travelers
• Party Goers
• Young Backpackers
• Gap Year Travelers
• Long Term Travelers

Sant Jordi Alberg

With a reputation as being a very social party hostel, Sant Jordi Alberg is one of the most sought-after hostels in Barcelona. As the winner of numerous awards for being one of the best overall hostels in the entire world, this place will not disappoint. The friendly and helpful staff seem to be at the core of the overall quality of the hostel, as they go above and beyond to help guests in every way possible.

This hostel is part of the Sant Jordi chain of hostels, so if you've stayed at another Sant Jordi, you will probably be familiar with the amenities and overall quality of service. Sant Jordi is one of the largest hostel chains in the world, and it's quite easy to see how they have been so successful once you experience a few nights here. The chain itself has a bit of a reputation for being party-themed, and this location in Alberg is no exception.

The Facilities

Dorms

Cleanliness is the number one priority of most travelers, and this place meets that standard and then some. The rooms are nice, well organized, and also set up to be social if you're interested. Dorms are mixed gender and come in a variety of sizes from 3 beds, 6 beds, 8 beds, all the way up to 10 beds for those interested in meeting others. The larger rooms are cheaper in price.

The dorm price includes all needed linens: pillows, sheets, and blankets. Lockers are also included in the price, and they are big enough to hold large backpacks and open with electronic locks.

Private Rooms

The private rooms are a great option for couples, small groups of friends, or travelers wanting more privacy. They are simple but comfortable, with included linens. The private rooms here are generally the same as the dorms, but they can be booked for private groups depending on availability.

Bathrooms

Modern and clean is the overall trend with Sant Jordi hostels, and this location fits the bill. Bathrooms here are kept clean and proper. Hot water is plentiful. Even though the building is older, the facilities were renovated and upgraded so that guests can enjoy modern comforts. Men and women have separate bathrooms with individual locking shower stalls and hair dryers.

Common Areas

This hostel has several rooms for relaxing or partying, depending on the time of day. Common rooms have TVs, computers, and other comfortable seating areas. A communal kitchen is available for those that want to cook and for sharing meals with others. The dining areas are also comfortable and very social. A small terrace off to the side is also a nice spot to enjoy the weather and take in the views of the surrounding blocks. Generally, this hostel is not very large, but large enough for everyone to have space while meeting each other. That's what makes this hostel special is the atmosphere of the people who visit and work here.

The Location

Eixample

The Eixample neighborhood is where the old world charms of the Gothic Quarter merge into modern Barcelona. Here, many famous museums and attractions can be found, as well as plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, churches, and other sights. Public transportation in this part of town is very common, and the streets are laid out in an orderly fashion, so it's hard to get lost.

What's Nearby?

With a central location, this hostel sits in a perfect spot to explore and enjoy Barcelona. Within walking distance are Plaza Catalunya, Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter, Gaudi's Casa Batllo, and Passeig de Gracia Blvd. All of these areas are full of tourist attractions, tapas restaurants, bars, clubs, theatres, art museums, shops, and more. Also, the beach is only 15 minutes away by metro. You can just step outside of the hostel doors and wander to the main square of Plaza Catalunya to admire the architecture, then turn left and wander down Las Ramblas which is full of shops and markets, then turn left again to head over to the Gothic Quarter to see the historic part of Barcelona - and you can do all of this without needing transportation. And that's only if you head south. You can also wander to the north to discover Casa Battlo, Casa Milo, and other great attractions.

And all of this is during the day, so just wait until the evening to wander out and explore Barcelona's nightlife with multitudes of bars, shows, clubs, and dancing.

Nearby Transportation

As this hostel sits in the center of the city, right between the Eixample neighborhood and the edges of the Gothic Quarter, transportation options are plentiful. Just a few blocks away (400 meters or a quarter-mile), are multiple metro and train stations. To the northeast are the Girona and Tetuan stations, while to the southwest are the Urquinaona, Placa de Catalunya, and Passeig de Gracia stations. The Placa de Catalunya station is especially important, as it is a major hub for transportation in the city for both the metro, regional trains, and buses.

Just outside the front door of the hostel is a bus stop with connections to the beach and the zoo near the shore, as well as neighborhoods in the north of the city, plus other major transportation hubs.

Activities

The organized activities run by the staff are part of what set this hostel apart. Nightly pub crawls are one of the main reasons that guests flock to this hostel. At various times in the evening, sometimes departing quite late, the staff will take guests to several nearby bars. These pub crawls also pick up guests from other nearby Sant Jordi hostels, so you have a chance to meet even more travelers and have a great time out in Barcelona at night. Usually, as the crawl winds down, most of the guests end up back at the hostel to continue the party. This includes drinking games, dancing, music, chilling, and many other activities until the sun comes up or guests head to bed.

The hostel also organizes frequent dinners for guests in the comfortable kitchen and dining room. The staff makes a delicious Catalonian meal for the guests to enjoy, all while providing ample opportunities for everyone to get to know each other, discuss the day's events, make plans for going out, and fill their bellies with yummy food!

• Pub Crawls
• On-site Parties
• Group Dinners
• Local Walking Tours

Amenities

This hostel provides most of the typical amenities that one would expect from a European hostel. The rooms and facilities are comfortable and clean. Laundry is provided, as is a communal kitchen. Free Wi-Fi is always nice, and there are computers in the common room for everyone to use if you don't have one of your own. Rooms are equipped with key-card access, lockers, free linens, and more. Towels can be rented for a small fee. They also provide luggage storage. The building has an elevator, too.

• Wi-Fi
• Laundry Facilities
• Self Catering Kitchen
• Air Conditioning
• Luggage Storage
• Microwave
• Hair Dryers
• Elevator
• City Maps
• Towels
• Public Computers
• 24h Reception
• Housekeeping
• Keycard Access
• Safety Deposit Box
• Bed Linens
• Airport Transfer
• Security Lockers
• Tea & Coffee Facilities
• Tour & Travel Desk

Staff

Guest reviews rave about the amazing staff at Sant Jordi Alberg. The nice people who run the hostel seem to genuinely care about ensuring their guests have a great time while in Barcelona. Whether it's cleaning up, making dinner, organizing a pub crawl late in the night, suggesting restaurants, or helping people find nearby tourist attractions, the staff is on top of everything, and with a smile!

Heads Up

While not every hostel is perfect, Sant Jordi Alberg comes pretty close. However, some guests have noted a few negative aspects of this hostel. Some say that the bathrooms are not quite large enough for everyone. Others say that the music gets a little too loud and runs a little too late into the evenings. Keep in mind that this is indeed a party hostel, so if you're looking for a quiet place to stay, this is probably not the place for you. Also, keep in mind that the fun social reputation of this hostel is based around the personalities of the other guests and the staff, so there may be times when things get quiet. This hostel does not have a bar or a restaurant, but is more of a "guest house" where the staff help to entertain and provide dinner. So, you'll often be looking for your drinks and food outside of this hostel if things get quiet. (But during the high seasons, plenty of other guests are around.)

Sant Jordi Alberg

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