Restaurante Cafeteria Hostel&co — Restaurant in Santander

Affordable place with great location and without much expectations. For Backpackers only!

Pros: Location: Right in the City Centre, just across the main Bus Station. Very convenient for arrivals from the airport or trains. As well, hostel shares the same building with a train station(literally, you don't even leaving the building to hop on a train), another one is just a few steps away to the left. Bus station across the road, three minutes by slow walk. Food: There's a bar/cafe inside(suspect that the bar owns a hostel), good food selection, restaurant in there, but was constantly closed during of my stay. WiFi: Wouldn't say that speed was very fast but affordable, for surfing, watching YouTube. No complains. Beds: They are alright, nothing impressive, nothing bad. Each cabin have a lights and a curtains, so privacy and electricity guaranteed. As well, beside the small shelf there's a socket, so you can charge your gadget right next to you. Showers/ Facilities: Showers and toilet cabins are spacious enough, all clean and well kept. a lot of sinks, so shouldn't be a problem in the morning even through high season. Storage: There's a locker provided with key(of your bed number) and an under bed cell, for storing boots or backpack or luggage. For this one you'll need to have your own lock for it! Location 2: Your discovery of the city starts right here. All necessary shops or cafes are within two or less minutes from hostel entrance, easy to have shopping, breakfast/dinner/supper. Sea port and a promenade is less than 7 minutes away, by very easy walks, very nice to have such walk in the morning or at the end of the day. Car park: (payable) at the back of the hostel, attached to the train departures/arrival. Could be very convenient for car travellers, just keep in mind- this has to be paid separately!

Cons: Staff: Only one guy speak english, so expect difficulties in conversation, or learn (always good to have) basic Spanish phrases. Staff 2: A printed copy of my passport was left facing up on a desk for a three(!!!) days unattended, available to anybody passing by! Then I simply took it away with me. Be aware! Another thing about staff- the same guy told me to do not use an Airport car hire service, they will charge me more, instead he offered me two nearby services beside the hostel, which charged me nearly twice the price of an old, budget cars than I've finally paid for a brand new, budget option at the Airport. Consider that! Rooms: This one you should keep in mind that I was the ONLY person at the moment(30/11/22- 04/12/22), so be informed! Rooms are cold, no heating provided, my only option was a sunlight through a big window. A slight heating was switched on on my last day, probably of a presence of another traveller. Beds: Despite its December around Cantabria- beds were provided with very thin blankets/throws, it was veeeeery cold during the night(especially of one thing, mentioned right above), second night I had to grab another blanket from unused bed. Maybe worth asking staff at very beginning, but I didn't see anyone after check in. Facilities: It's a big toilet/ shower area, which is kept clean, but smell from it filling the main corridor. Also, passing by people can easily observe of your "way of doing things"(men's section). There's nothing to hide, but slightly inconvenient. Showers: ...well, I've been told that I need to wait around five minutes to let the water run hot, I've been waiting over ten, to have a slightly warm shower. Perhaps it's exist, I probably wasn't patient enough, but I was frozen in the shower. ...could be a good start to train of body hardening... Storage: Very small shelf in the bed area, literally for the phone. Hard to keep a bottle of water or a wallet on. Breakfast: Haven't used breakfast, but this is probably the only cafe in Santander with warm (not hot) coffee- I don't know why. Don't get me wrong- coffee is still good, just maybe the machine wasn't set up...

I spent one night in the hostel and had breakfast the morning after.

The host was very friendly and welcoming, and allowed me to keep my luggage in the hostel for a couple hours after check-out. The room is modern and well-maintained, and in the shared dorms there is a light, a privacy curtain, ample (free, locked) storage and a plug socket by the bed. The bed is also comfortable enough for a good night's rest. There wasn't much of a hostel vibe when I was there (it was mid-week), but the shared space is large for a hostel of this size. Bathroom facilities are also clean and modern, with more than enough showers for the number of beds.

My breakfast in the morning was a pan con tomate with a café solo. Good serving size, and the topping was light without being watery, as it can be in some restaurants and cafes. Coffee was good and strong, as I like it.

The location is perfect if you are arriving, integrated into the train station in the city centre, just a short walk from the ferry terminal. Overall, good value, and highly...

I wanted to eat and drink something and went in. None of all the waiters were busy, they were just talking to each other. After 5 minutes of no reaction I went out to sit down in the hope someone will take my order. This hope were having also many other people nearby me. But no one wanted to do the service job. Just when some pilgrims were sitting to the wood tables on the other side of the street a waiter was hurrying out to tell them that they are not allowed to eat their own food there and they have to leave. So NO service and extrem high prices like a good restaurant with good service. To finish the story...I left after half an hour to catch my bus. Avoid to go there! One star is even too much, but less is...