http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31096 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31096 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30421 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30421 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29931 The fabulous nightclub, Barbara, is next door, you can't miss it with its bright pink walls and rainbow flags everywhere. Start the evening with a cocktail at Trúnó then party late into the next morning with Barbara.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29931 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29641 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29641 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28318 The patrons were all Japanese and of all ages. Most of the patrons attempted to talk to us however limited their English was and encouraged us to speak Japanese.
If you want to speak to local Japanese guys (rather than fellow travellers) then this is your place.
Oh and of course there's a Karaoke machine with an English and Japanese song selection. Have a go, this is not an intimidating place and you will be cheered on and encouraged no matter how off key you sing.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28318 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26853 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26853 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25373 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25373 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24535
Totally remodeled in 2008 and design by Dan Friedlander (limn.com), this 50's era motel has been tranformed into a unique lodging with European furnishings, private pool, internet and personal service.

Great value: rooms start at $100.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24535 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23904
The rooms are nicely decorated and very comfy with private bathrooms and air conditioning. He can cook breakfast, lunch and dinner if you wish.

Security: this place is very safe as Jorge takes all necessary measures. Nothing will ever happen to your wallet!

I will definitely go back to Jorge very soon as all gay travellers who have been to his place do.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23904 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23207
The staff are extremely welcoming and will give out any advice on things to see, gay/lesbian advice, free vouchers for clubs, saunas etc...

The rooms have ensuite and have great facilities - tvs, free internet, safety deposit boxes, linen and towels.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23207 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23206
The rooms are more like a hotel than a hostel, with TVs, comfortable beds and balconies overlooking Puerta del Sol square. There's also free internet and a free breakfast of freshly baked buns.

The location is excellent, you are right in the center of town, so we could walk everywhere.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23204 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23204 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20408 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20408 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19269 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19269 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19013 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19013 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18671 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18671 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18135
Yes, the decor a is a little OTT including the large basket of faux fruit, (check the web link) but it made for an amusing start to the holiday.

We only stayed for two days (late Feb 2008) so didn't spend much time in or around the hostel but the location was perfectly within walking distance of the Cathedral (2mins), the Albaicin quarter (3/4mins) and the Alhambra (10/15mins to the ticket office); however, if your holiday party includes people not as fit as most then something a little closer to or in the Albaicin might be better as the city is sited on a gradiant with the hostel at the bottom.

Some of the rooms (and the one we stayed in) are situated in a building two doors from the main hostel with the reception.
We had the apartment, but looking back this was perhaps a waste of 20 euros per night as the only things (I imagine) we gained was a flight of stairs to reach our room on the top floor, a tiny 'kitchen' food prep area and tiny terrace with no view.
The kitchen wasn't much use due to the lack of pans (for the two-plate hob) or kettle so no night-time cocoa or early morning tea. Only coffee drinkers were catered for with a stove top coffee pot, but all they provided was clean etc.

Everything in the apartment was clean, tidy and hygenic however the notice in the bathroom reading 'Please do not flush towels, use the bin provided'; with a rather dubious looking open-topped wastepaper bin beside the toilet was a little offputting...

Overall, I'd recommend a stay because the owners are so nice and friendly, making no fuss over the fact we were a gay male couple... but perhaps not in the apartment as it wasn't much use in the end. Save those additional euros for some tapas or drinks in the bustling bar on the plaza instead or the fantastic veggie restaurant Botanico on C/Malaga round the corner.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18135 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17584 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17584 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17440 out gaytourguidecuba.com.

It's a gay tour guide service for gay travelers in Cuba! Nice college kids,
openly gay and they seem to feel that the government isn't against gays.

Meeting these people was the highlight of our trip. They really opened our eyes to a Cuba we could never have discovered on our own.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17440 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17023
But the cuisine is just the first chapter of the house, the other side of the thing is a great night! The cool and trendy DJs spin the latest e-music hits, while a crowd of young and beautiful people makes things even more interesting. Should you come down to Rio, give it a try. Zero Zero is located in Gávea, near the Planetarium.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17023