TOC Hostel Barcelona

The hostel is well located being only a couple of minutes walk from a metro station. Easy to get to an airport bus. The 8 bed dorms are well designed with each bed having a light, charging point and spaces to place items. The steps up the ladder are wide enough to place your whole foot, and the is a pole to hold on to making it easy to climb in and out of the top bunk. The area at the end of the room has a locker for each bed - lockers able to store even a large suitcase ( bring your own padlock ). The lockers even have a pole and one hanger inside which is handy. This area has stools and a lamp at the side if the locker meaning someone in that area can put on light without having to put on an overhead light and disturbing everyone. The layout is practical and well designed. The shared toilets and shower rooms are in the corridor. They are modern and clean and sufficient that I was never waiting. A logistical problem occurs in that there is no separation of wet and dry in the shower cubical : imagine what it is like to undress , shower and dress all within a standard sized shower cubicle with only one hook. You will need to bring some kind of waterproof bag to hold your belongings and be able to dress with trying to prevent your clothes from getting wet on the floor and walls. This seems to be a design flaw in what is otherwise a well thought out hostel design. There are two shower rooms next to each other and it would be nice if they could be clearly labeled as male and female so the space outside the cubicle could be utilized when changing. The doors have the label showers in big white letters on a background that is a photograph: it took me three days to notice that the photos have male or female on them which perhaps indicates it is supposed to be for different genders - this is ambiguous, not notable as it is not expected as and I did come across males in the shower room with a photograph of a women. I did not make a fuss as I had been in what may be the male one before noticing what is in the photograph. My suggestion would be proper labeling. Laundry costs £9 for a wash and dry. There is only one washer and one drier meaning there were a few times I wanted to do my laundry and it was occupied. The kitchen is large and includes seating in this area. The kitchen is popular with people cooking; it is well equipped with regards to pots, pans and dishes, however lacks utensils which can make preparing food tricky, I had to prepare fried eggs using a fork to flip them. Difficult to find knives, forks and spoons to eat with. fortunately I travel with my own fork and spoon. There is 24 hour reception, bar, common room, patio, swimming pool, security doors making it feel more like a hotel rather than hostel. Modern and safe feel. Highly recommended.