For the price the Hostal Los Arcos was a great choice for exploring Cordoba.

The rooms were clean and light, the location was ten minutes walk from anywhere you needed and the staff as helpful as they could be without speaking English ( a good opportunity for me to practice my Spanish).

They could improve things a bit by offering a breakfast in their nicely decorated patio each morning but otherwise we got exactly what we expected for 45 Euros a night,

Los Arcos Hostal is located about a few minutes’ walk from the Mezquita on a little side street. You enter through a wrought iron gate into a traditional Córdoban open patio. The reception desk is located at the far side of the patio. Tables and chairs are arranged there, and flowers are everywhere around the patio and on the balconies.

Our room was on the second floor, up an open staircase (beautifully tiled) from the patio. It was small, clean, and quiet. Being there in October we appreciated the heater in the room. It kept things very comfortable.

We didn't see much of the staff during our visit but the room was made up without our asking, not something we encountered a lot in budget accommodations. We found the hostal to be comfortable, conveniently located and a good value. We had everything we needed for a pleasant stay and no surprises.

Our friends in Cordoba suggested and booked this lovely hostel for us...so we went blind. What a perfect location! Right in old town, charming, quiet street, with a fabulous little coffee shop for breakfast right across the street (it's the back entrance, so it's a bit hidden, but worth looking for! Be sure and have the "tostada con alieto y tomato" for breakfast -- toast with olive oil and tomato - delicious and very Cordoban!) Cordoba is small enough to walk and explore, but if you decide on a bus, they are very convenient...
The hostel has a lovely, if a bit neglected courtyard, in the lobby. The staff were helpful, but not overly friendly, which was just fine. We stayed in room 5 -- spotless and quiet, it would have been the perfect hostel room, except for a strange septic odor which prevailed for the 2 days we were there. We never determined if it was coming from the small window or the bathroom floor drains, which are typical in many European hostels. We were up and out exploring with our friends and didn't have the time or energy to move rooms as it was livable. We had the feeling this was situational and that would not put us off from a future visit.
We just loved Cordoba,,,La Mezquite... and all of Andalucia...the people were so friendly and welcoming and the food and wine -- WOW!!!!

We were backpacking around the South of Spain, wanted cheap, clean, quiet, friendly pensions or hostels, with bathroom.

Los Arcos gave us: a cheap, clean, quiet room with bathroom, hazzle free. The building is beautifully tiled with a really nice patio where guests can sit down and relax. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. They don't have air conditioning, but the architecture keeps the rooms fresh and they do provide a fan and heating if you go in winter. There is a shared TV outside the rooms in a little balcony overlooking the patio.

The staff are not super friendly, but are helpful and it is evident they keep the place clean and tidy.

The location is in the old part of the town perfect for the Mosque and the Palace, just a few minutes walk. Bus no. 3 stops a few steps outside the hotel (beware if you want to go to the bus/train station, you have to go down to the end of the road and turn right at the river front for the bus stop).

We really enjoyed our stay.