When we checked in the girl at reception was very friendly - gave us a map, gave a paella recommendation (which was yum!), checked us into a 4 bed dorm with a balcony (there were four of us travelling, which was great), and even said 'if the room is too nice, she would be happy to change it'
Wish we'd read Melanieanne77's review! 2am in the morning, my friend woke me up because he said he'd been severely bitten by bed bugs and had spoken to reception and they had given us another room. I could actually see the bugs crawling all over my friend's bed. Thankfully, I didn't get too many bites, but my friends got at least 30 each!

The next morning, we spoke to the girl at reception and asked for a refund, we also asked for money to go to the laundromat and put all our clothes and bags through a dryer cycle - with that many bites, it was clear they had some serious infestation - and the only way to get rid of bedbug eggs which nest quickly is intense prolonged heat.

The girl at reception was rude and most belligerent that they were not 'chinches' , and didn't refund us the money until someone came in to examine the bed, despite the tell tale trail of bites on both my friends' arms and backs!

Ultimately the manager (very nice man) did give us the refund and 20 euro for the laundromat - which was adequate.

But unless they have taken some serious measures to get rid of them, I would think the bugs have found themselves a nice feasting and nesting ground at the Purple nest!

A last minute book to Valencia meant I needed a place to stay which would be central and good value. I found the Red Nest online, the sister hostel to the Purple nest however it was fully booked so I was moved to the Purple nest around the corner. In my view this was a good move as the purple nest had more character and was a nicer hostel.

The staff were helpful and friendly, offering advice and tips on where to eat etc.

I stayed in a 6 bunk room which happened to be empty on the first day and had a few people in on the next few nights. The roms are basic with reasonable bunks and lockable lockers.

The showers are nice and had hot running water. Far nicer than the Red Nest around the corner!!

The kitchen is one of the best equipt for a hostel I have seen and the top floor bar area and terrace is a nice touch too!

I would happily stay here again and would chose this hostel over the sister Red Nest down the road which I ended up in for one night before my flight home.
Tips for the city:

The buses are reliable and frequent- use these instead of the taxis, expecially to the beach for a few euros.

The tram runs from the airport to about 100m away from the hostel and is quicker and cheaper than a taxi.

The hostel offer free padlocks for a small deposit for the lockers.

Ask the girl on the front desk for a tapas bar which the tourists will not be in, if you find the one I went to you will love the food!!!

take a walk from the hostel along the old river bed down to the F1 track at the end, a good days walk there and back with some amazing sights!

I got 30 bedbug bites on each arm and hand. This was in a 10 bed mixed dorm. Ive had to call an extermintor for my bedroom at home. He said that to have so many bites in a room with other people, means there's a serious infestation.

When i was staying there, I asked for an extra blanket...they didnt have any. I guess that means that they dont rotate/clean their blankets.

The hostel was really kind when I emailed about the bedbugs and said that they hoped i was ok and that they would check it.

Please people, check your mattresses, dont put your luggage on the bed etc.

I never thought the horror stories were true.

Stayed in purple nest and will be staying at a nest whenever I can in the future. Terrific place, especially considering it was my first hostel experience. Wifi, breakfast ( buffet of cereal toast juice) for 2 euro, and just a cool place to hang.

Only thing: lockers in rooms: you'll need your own padlock. The standard Circular numerical gym combination locker padlock (ex 30-1-15) is too thick/ won't work. Go to walmart and get a padlock that lets you set a three digit number lock ( ex 123). Those will work for just about any hostel here in Europe ( that I've run into)