FAQ

The following information has been put together based on the many questions we have been asked by other travellers.  We hope you find it useful as an introduction to your stay with us in Barcelona in HelloBCN Hostel!  If we have been unable to answer your questions on your stay in Barcelona or in the hostel, please don’t hesitate to contact us on info@hellobcnhostel.com.

The basics

• To preserve and maintain our laid-back atmosphere we do not allow: any bookings of stag nights, hen nights or football hooligans.
• We reserve the right to abandon or cancel reservations if the given information is incorrect or false.
• We make every effort to accommodate you in the dormitory size of your choice. However, because of the nature of our business, we may have to place you in a different sized dormitory. As a result the balance to be paid upon arrival can be slightly different to what is stated on your confirmation.
• All nights of accommodation must be paid for on arrival
• The HelloBCN Hostel Management and Staff reserve the right to refuse accommodation to anyone or end their stay before the reservation finishes if standards of behaviour are not met, in cases such as this no money will be refunded to the guests.
• Guests with children under the age of 12 must book private accommodation.
• Guests cannot share one dorm bed.
• Bed linen and blankets are included in the price.  Sleeping bags must NOT be used and will be removed.

Availability & prices

Prices vary according to the type of accommodation desired and the season. You can see our prices and availability by entering the dates in booking engine located on the right hand side of this screen.
Are there any extra costs I should know about?
There are no hidden costs.  IVA, Breakfast, sheets, internet, Tea and coffee are all included in the price of the night.  Extras such as towels, water, beer etc. are available and may be hired or purchased at the Hostel.
Do you have availability for my group?
Group reservations (8 people or more) must go through our groups booking department.  Please complete this form. 
 

The Hostel

What time is check-in /check-out ?
Check-out is at 11.00am. You can leave your bags for the day in our free luggage storage until 8pm. Rooms for new arrivals are generally available after 12 o’clock (midday); if you arrive before your room is ready, you may check in at the front desk and leave your luggage in our luggage room.
What size rooms do you have?
We have dormitories of 4,6 and 8 beds as well as private rooms with private bathrooms.  As HelloBCN Hostel is a youth hostel in which we encourage the interaction between guests we decided not to provide single rooms.
Where are the bathrooms located for those staying in dormitories?
Separate male and female toilets/showers are located on each floor.  This enables us to clean the bathrooms several times during the day.
Is there a lockout or curfew?
No, the hostel is open 24 hours a day so that you can enjoy all Barcelona has to offer.  There is no lock-out during the day.  However, rooms will be cleaned between 11am and 2pm.
Do you speak English?
All of our reception staff speak English and will be more than happy to help you out with any questions you might have.
Is smoking permitted in the hostel?
Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the hostel.  Where a person is caught smoking in the hostel, the reservation will be cancelled and no money refunded.
Is the hostel safe?
In Barcelona it’s important to keep track of your belongings at all times, both in and outside of the hostel.  The hostel is secure.  We provide guests staying in dormitories with a large locker which is operated by the same card which gives you access to the hostel and your room.  There is a deposit for this key (card) of 10 euros.  This deposit is refunded on check-out where the key is returned before 11.00am.
Is luggage storage available for the day I check out?
Yes, if you have a late flight/train/bus/ferry out of Barcelona, you may store your baggage in the hostel until 8pm free of charge. We do not store luggage for longer periods.

Services & facilities

Is breakfast included?
Yes, we provide a basic breakfast.  If you need something more substantial, you can make it yourself in the kitchen – just make sure you clean up after yourself!
Are sheets and blankets provided?
Yes, bed linen and blankets are included in the price. For sanitary reasons, sleeping bags are NOT PERMITTED.
Are showers included?
Yes, hot showers are available 24 hours a day at no charge to our guests.  Guest may use bathrooms until 11am on the day of departure.
Do you have maps of Barcelona?
Our helpful staff will be more than happy to give you a free Barcelona map and indicate where Barcelona’s top tourist attractions and how to get to them.
Do you do airport pick ups/ drop offs?
No.  The hostel is easily accessible by Barcelona’s public transport system.
Do you have air conditioning/heating?
Yes, we have air-conditioning and heating in all of our rooms.  Please note that the heating and air-conditioning system is on timer in order to conserve energy.  We also use solar power to heat our water as another eco-friendly solution.
Do you have cooking facilities?
A self-catering kitchen is available. Use of our fully equipped kitchen facilities is free for our guests. The kitchens are open from 8am until 11pm.
Do you have Internet access?  WIFI?
Yes, and it’s FREE!
Do you have laundry facilities?
We have washing machines and dryers, there are also clothing racks to hang your clothes if you don’t want to use dryers.
Is parking available?
Parking is difficult and expensive in Barcelona.  Metered parking can be found on the streets. There are also a few paid parking garages nearby, which our staff will point out to you.
Is there an elevator?
Yes, there are elevators in the hostel

Reservations

Do I need to book ahead of time or can I just show up?
We recommend reserving ahead of time whenever possible. Accommodation in high season in Barcelona can fill up unexpectedly due to obscure festivals or various events.
Why do I need a credit card to reserve?
We require a valid credit card number (valid for the full time of your stay in HelloBCN Hostel Barcelona). In case of no-shows or late cancellations, we reserve the right to debit a penalty fee from your card equal to the total of the first night’s accommodation.
Is it safe to book online?
To put it short: yes.
Can you please send me a confirmation for my visa application?
Under no conditions are we allowed to SEND FAX OR LETTERS for Visa document applications to embassies or consulates.
I haven` t received a confirmation.
Your email provider may be using spam filters. Please check your spam folders. If you still have not received your confirmation, or if your email provider deletes possible spam, please email the hostel or contact us on +34 934428392.
I need to cancel my reservation.
Cancellations must be received in writing 24 hours prior to midday of the first day of the reservation to avoid penalty charges. Please refer to our General Rules for more details. 
Are group reservations like normal reservations?
No. To have a processed reservation you will need to pay a deposit, the amount of which will be advised in the letter of offer. Until this deposit has been received by HelloBCN Hostel the reservation will not be confirmed and no beds will be blocked.  Fifteen (15) days before the arrival date the final payment of the remaining amount must be made. Between these two points changes to the booking can be made, base on availability. Once the final payment has been paid no changes, total cancellation or partial cancellation will be accepted. We reserve the right to ask for a security deposit in addition to the key deposit where deemed necessary, which will be refunded on check-out, only if the management or Hostel staff consider that no damage has been done to the hostel.
I am a travel agent & am interested in working with you.
Travel agents or agencies wishing to book accommodation at HelloBCN Hostel for their clients must contact our reservations staff directly.  Bookings made by agencies using our online booking system will NOT be honoured.

CANCELLATION POLICY

All cancellations must be advised in writing.  The reservation is not cancelled until this email has been received and a confirmation email sent.

Reservations made using external online booking companies:
Your credit card will be charged ONLY:
1- In cases of "no show"
2- If you fail to cancel or change your reservation details with 24hrs notice. (i.e. before midday of the day prior to your original arrival date). The amount charged will be the total of (or the relevant part thereof) the first night of your reservation.

Reservations made directly with the hostel via telephone or email.
In cases of no show no money will be refunded.
Where changes/cancelations are made outside the accepted notification period (that is, after midday of the day prior to your original arrival date) the first night of reservation will be charged.
Cancellations made inside the notification period (i.e. before midday of the day prior to your original arrival date), will incur a charge of 10% to cover administrations and bank transactions costs.  Where the refund cannot be made via direct refund to the credit card, full bank account details for international transfers (SWIFT, IBAN, address, name, etc) must be provided. HelloBCN Hostel will not accept any charges associated with the transfer.

Group reservations
Cancellations must be made with a minimum of 15 days notice.  The deposit paid to confirm the reservation is non-refundable.  Once the final payment has been paid no changes, total cancellation or partial cancellation will be accepted.