JOY Plaza de Armas Seville Review 2026: Budget Double Rooms

Your Guide to Budget-Friendly Stays in Seville

JOY Plaza de Armas Hostel Double Room Review

Seville, as charming as it is, can be surprisingly pricey when it comes to accommodations. Especially if your trip includes a weekend, hotel rates can soar to levels comparable to Barcelona!

That's why, for one of my three nights in Seville – the most expensive weekend night – I decided to opt for a budget-friendly option and booked a double room at JOY Plaza de Armas. While it's technically a hostel, our private double room with an en-suite bathroom felt perfectly comfortable for two.

If you're searching for a place to stay in Seville's city center but find hotel prices a bit steep, this spot is definitely worth considering.

1. JOY Plaza de Armas: A Smart Choice for Seville

📌 Hostel Snapshot

I found the best deal on Agoda when I booked, but prices can fluctuate, so always compare across different platforms. Even now, Agoda still seems to offer the most competitive rates!

📌Check Prices for JOY Plaza de Armas on Agoda

2. Getting to JOY Plaza de Armas

JOY Plaza de Armas is located right in the heart of Seville's old town, known as Centro.

The 'Plaza de Armas' in its name refers to the nearby bus terminal, which is great if you're arriving in Seville by bus.

I thought it would be an easy walk from the terminal, so I set off with my suitcase, feeling lighthearted... but quickly learned my lesson! Seville's old town is full of cobblestone streets and incredibly narrow alleys, just like many European historic centers. This made the walk feel much longer than it actually was, trust me!

If you're traveling with just a backpack or a small carry-on, you'll have a much easier time. But if you're like most travelers with a checked suitcase, be prepared for a bit of a workout!

3. Check-in and Double Room Overview

The hostel occupies an entire old building, giving it that distinct European old-town charm. There is an elevator, but it's not exactly speedy!

Upon check-in, I paid a ~$5 cash deposit for the key card, which you get back when you return the card at checkout. They also offered an option to use a QR code via their hostel app for building entry, but I found installing the app more hassle than simply paying the deposit for a physical key.

The room I stayed in was a double room with a private bathroom.

While dorms are usually the cheapest hostel option, we wanted the privacy of our own room and bathroom, so we booked a private room.

The room featured a bed, a dresser, a mirror, and a small table. There were also hooks on the wall for hanging coats. However, there was no TV, refrigerator, or separate wardrobe.

If your plan is to be out sightseeing all day and just need a place to sleep, it's perfectly fine. But if you're hoping to relax in the room for extended periods or store drinks and food, you might find these missing amenities a bit disappointing.

The bathroom had a toilet and a shower stall, and everything worked perfectly. The bathroom condition was quite good for a hostel, wouldn't you agree?

While it's pricier than a dorm, if Seville hotel prices are out of your budget and you'd rather avoid shared hostel bathrooms, I highly recommend a double room like mine.

4. Rooftop Bar, Shared Kitchen, and More

After dropping off our bags, we headed straight up to the hostel's rooftop bar. When I visited, they had a happy hour from 6 PM to 7 PM where draft beer was just 1 Euro!

After dragging my suitcase through those cobblestone streets, that cold beer tasted exceptionally good.

The rooftop view isn't particularly flashy, but with outdoor seating and a small pool, it created a lovely atmosphere for relaxing on a summer evening. Many travelers were enjoying beers or dipping their feet in the pool.

As is typical for hostels, it had a lively vibe where travelers naturally mingled and connected.

When choosing a hostel, the common areas are always important.

JOY Plaza de Armas offered a lounge with sofas and a TV, plus a dedicated table area for working on laptops. The kitchen was surprisingly spacious.

It was equipped with a gas stove, oven, microwave, and a shared refrigerator, making it easy to prepare simple meals. Remember to label your food clearly if you're using the communal fridge!

During meal times, I saw several guests cooking. If you're a long-term traveler looking to save on dining out, it's a great option for preparing a meal or two from groceries.

The hostel also had a ping-pong table and vending machines, and they even organized daily activities. If you're traveling solo in Seville and want to connect with other travelers, be sure to check the activity schedule at check-in.

Below are example prices for one night in a double room on a random date:

Trip.com might offer additional discounts depending on your membership tier, but Agoda was significantly cheaper in this comparison. However, prices can vary, so it's always a good idea to check all platforms before booking.

Pros and Cons Summary

📌 Pros

• Convenient central location in Seville's Centro, making sightseeing easy

• Wide range of room options from dorms to private rooms

• Often a more affordable alternative to hotels, especially on weekends

• Well-equipped communal kitchen and lounge area

• Rooftop bar and organized traveler activities

📌 Cons

• ​No refrigerator or TV in the private rooms

• Older building means soundproofing isn't perfect

• Cobblestone streets make navigating with luggage challenging

• Don't expect hotel-level room service or amenities

During the day, I could hear some noise from the hallway and adjacent rooms. Fortunately, it wasn't too loud at night during my stay, but if you're sensitive to noise, bringing earplugs would be a good idea.