Last year I enjoyed a short spring break in Valencia with my family when we stayed at Hôme Rooms Deluxe, a new kind of lodging that’s increasingly springing up around Europe – a sort of hybrid that has hostel facilities but with a boutique hotel feel. I love the relaxed communal atmosphere of hostels, the free wifi and the flexibility to cook my own meals, but these days I can’t face anything less than a private en suite bedroom. In Valencia the stylish Hôme Rooms Deluxe fits the bill perfectly.

Burma room at Home Room Deluxe Valencia

When looking for somewhere to stay that would suit both my own tastes and those of my teenage children, I was attracted to Hôme Rooms Deluxe by the individually designed rooms, each created by a different artist and with a different theme. I stayed with my husband in a dark and mysterious Burmese room with golden walls, teak furniture, mantras on the walls and red fringes around the bed that we got a little tangled with. Next door, our children were surrounded by frescoes of Venetian gondoliers, masked carnival-goers and a view of St Mark’s Square, with hand painted gauzy draperies. Each room is different and you can even check out some of the designs on the website and choose your favourite, whether it’s a Moroccan Rhiad, a sci-fi silver space odyssey or a blue ceiling-ed swimming pool.

Venice Room at Home Room Deluxe Valencia

As you enter from the street there is a 24 hr reception and the hotel is situated on the first and second floor, with apartments also for rent on a daily basis on the floors above. On the first floor there is a bright red self-catering kitchen where the breakfast was served and a communal sitting area with large TV and 2 free internet stations. I didn’t see the apartments that sleep 2-4 people but they are furnished in the same modern style and benefit from the manned reception and internet access.

Hôme Rooms Deluxe is in a modern building in a residential area that’s a 15 minute bus ride out of the older centre of the city but just a couple of minute’s walk from the City of Arts and Sciences, the ultra modern and visually stunning cultural centre. There are a few neighbourhood restaurants, cafes and small shops close by and a shopping mall 5 minutes walk away and unusually there’s an underground car park the which is very useful if you are touring around Spain by car. This is an ideal hotel for those who want a quieter base for sightseeing than the heart of the old quarter which has more character but can also be more noisy at night once the restaurants and bars get going (remember the Spanish rarely sit down to dinner before 10pm)

City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia

I loved the stylish feel of Hôme Rooms Deluxe and the proximity to the City of Arts and Sciences which we could explore once the coach parties had gone home. The hotel is ideal for those who want a base for sightseeing although party animals and those with a very short time in the city might be better to stay closer to the old centre of Valencia.

If you are that party animal and want to stay in the heart of the old quarter with buzzing nightlife, then read our review of Hôme Backpacker’s Hostel or if you’re a keen golfer try the 4 star El Saler Parador close to Valencia.

Hôme Rooms Deluxe, Instituto Obrero, 20, 46013 Valencia. We paid €70 per night per double room and €100 per triple room but prices vary according to the season.

Photo Credits: All photos by Heather on her travels on Flickr