My husband and I stayed at the Hostal Fontana for 3 nights at the beginning of October. The hostal is on the first floor of the building, we found the staff to be friendly and helpful. They helped us book our return taxi back to the airport and let my husband borrow their iron.

The room was small but clean, we booked a room with its own bathroom but I believe some of the cheaper rooms have a shared bathroom. It is cheap accommodation, and you get what you pay for, we were happy with our room, clean with a comfortable bed, and a really good shower, plus ideal location in the centre of madrid for very good price.

They offer a breakfast of sorts, muffins with a drink, but we didnt bother with it.

The main negative point is that the hostal is on a side street off the Gran Via, and at night this street is seedy, there are a number of prostitutes and people hanging around. So this wouldnt be suitable for singles, elderly, or families.

If you get time, go and see a Flamenco Show, we went to one off the Gran Via and it was BRILLIANT!!

Staff really unhelpful. Disgusting bathrooms. And I mean disgusting!

After the reading the reviews i was a bti aprehensive on what to expect. The hostal was easy to find and we were greeted with a friendly, English speaking member of staff. Our rooms were small but equipped with everthing you would expect from a hostal. The sheets were changed everyday and the air conditioning was a god-send. There was a free breakfast but we didn't try it. The only downside to our stay if any, was the prostitutes that were on the street, but they never bothered us or anyone for that matter. Overall a great stay in Madrid.

- Staff doens't speak english
- Unfriendly staff
- Breakfast was no breakfast, just a small dry biscuit with some coffee (if you lucky to have some...)
- there was one table for breakfast which you have to share with others...
- Situated in an area with adult shops and prostituation, beware of your wallets etc. also a lot of noise from the streets.

+ Rooms were fine and clean.
+ near the city centre

I am sure there are better hostels in Madrid then here.