Lonely Planet Review

It doesn't get much cooler than this. From the basement bar to the 3rd-floor lounge, Giramondo is one seriously stylish hostel. Opened in 2004, it's the loving creation of its four young owners. They all seemed to have one thing in mind: hook the travellers up with the locals and enjoy the ride.

How do they do it? It's all about the cozy basement: under the spell of dim lighting, crumbling brick walls, tasty cocktails and a sure-shot mix of soul, funk and hip-hop, locals and travellers mingle and make friends. But as a hostel guest, you've the added advantage of being able to escape through the private door to your lodging upstairs. The spacious dorm rooms are on three floors, connected by a winding wooden staircase that leads to the top-floor hangouts. These consist of a library/computer room, a TV lounge, a clean communal kitchen and a fabulous rooftop terrace. And thanks to big windows, everything inside gets loads of sunlight. Even the bathrooms - with their industrial metal walls and red towel dispensers - are stylish. To top things off, breakfasts are huge; this is a rare hostel where eggs are an option. It's one smooth operation.