Lauren G.
Yelp
So first of all, I just want to start by saying that this was my first hostel experience and I had an absolute amazing time. From there, I stayed at some other not as nice places and can safely say that Kabul is in the top (from what I've seen). First of all, they have an extremely attentive, friendly staff. I had an issue with a drunk kid trying to get in bed with me and all the staff took the offense really seriously and were so attentive to the situation.
They host an assortment of activities, including free walking tour daily, a nightly pub crawl, and a club outting. The walking tour was the most fun tour I attended during the entirety of my trip. The tour guide, Brian, is a super knowledgeable silly guy--really knows his history. As someone travelling alone, these activities were great because they gave me something to do and introduced me to more people that I wouldn't have met otherwise! There is also a bar that serves cheap beer and mojitos for those who chose to stay within the venue for their entertainment. Oh AND they offer free breakfast (not super exciting but its free!) AND free dinner.
The location is unbeatable right in the Plaza Reial square and off of Las Ramblas. As for the rooms, they are clean enough and reminiscent of university dorm days. Shared bathrooms, bunk beds, etc. There are lockers in the room so you can keep your stuff safe. (And although I would never recommend leaving your stuff around unattended, I did just that on many occassions and never had anything go missing). The one possible downside would be that there are only electric outlets in the common area (lobby), not in the rooms. But this just meant that you were forced to sit downstairs and mingle while you're devices charged--leading to more introductions and more new friends!
The crowd is really sociable and friendly, lots of people from all parts of the world. And everyone seems open and receptive to making friends. If sleeping is your main agenda then possibly seek elsewhere because this groups knows how to party! Staying up til 4 or 5am is pretty commonplace. But if you want to have a really great, unforgettable experience, you can't go wrong with Kabul. I recommend it HIGHLY and would definitely go back!
LOVE Barcelona, LOVE Kabul.
xxx