Santa Cruz / Alcázar

TOC Hostel Sevilla

★★★★★

TOC Hostel Sevilla shows how far hostels have come. It is part of a small Spanish chain of design-led hostels with properties in Seville, Madrid and Barcelona, and it occupies a building on the Calle Miguel Mañara, a quiet street in the historic centre just behind the Archivo de Indias and the walls of the Real Alcázar, so the Cathedral, the Giralda and the lanes of Santa Cruz are all a couple of minutes away. The hostel offers both shared dormitories and private rooms, which makes it suitable not only for solo backpackers but also for couples and friends on a budget who want their own room in the centre at a price far below the hotels around it. The style is clean and contemporary, and guests consistently mention comfortable beds, ample locker space and working air conditioning, which is essential in a Seville summer. The common spaces are a big part of the appeal: there are terrace areas for relaxing in the evening, a cinema area, and TOC TOC Tapas, the hostel's own tapas restaurant, which is a convenient place to eat and meet other travellers. Breakfast is available but is not included in the basic rate, and the reception is staffed around the clock, so late arrivals and early departures are easy. Note that guests under eighteen are not allowed in the shared dorms, so families with teenagers should book a private room. The surrounding streets of Santa Cruz and the Arenal are full of bars and restaurants, and the location makes it easy to sightsee on foot, retreat to the hostel in the afternoon heat, and head out again at night.

Who it suits: solo travellers, backpackers, students and budget-minded couples and friends who want to be in the historic centre and enjoy a social atmosphere. It is less suited to families with young children or to travellers who want the quiet and services of a hotel, though the private rooms are a good compromise for those on a budget.

Living in it: book a private room if you value sleep and privacy; choose a dorm if you want to meet people and save money. Use the lockers, bring a padlock if needed, and check the breakfast option when booking. The terrace and the tapas restaurant are the social heart of the hostel in the evening, and staff can point you to free walking tours and flamenco shows. In summer, plan sightseeing for the morning and evening and rest in the air-conditioned rooms at midday. The Plaza del Triunfo and the Alcázar entrance are around the corner, so an early visit before the queues is easy.

Value: dorm beds and private rooms are among the cheapest options this close to the Cathedral, though prices rise during Holy Week, the April Fair and summer weekends. Seville does not currently charge a tourist tax. The value case is location and atmosphere: a modern, well-run hostel beside the Alcázar, with private rooms, terraces and its own tapas bar, for a fraction of the price of a hotel.