Where to stay in Europe - Spain and France

My choices for accommodation (Hostel - Hostels) were based on the following criteria: price, location, cleanliness, reviews on the internet from people who have stayed in place.

Remembering that I'll be in very high season, which makes the prices rise too.

Here's my selections:

Spain

Madrid: following my sister advises, I´m staying at the Posada de Huertas (http://www.posadadehuertas.com/en/). As my trip will begin and end in Madrid, I made two reservations. It costs only 17 euros per day, was very well recommended, and everything is right in the middle of the night life of Madrid! According to my sister, the bars near the hostel are very well attended and trendy. Has breakfast.

Barcelona: I booked for Gracia Hostel City Hostel (http://www.graciacityhostel.com/), and will be a shot in the dark. Only hostel that don´t have the option of paying the reservation by card, which gave me headaches. Still, it was the cheapest: 15 euros per night. Critics in the internet are mostly positive, highlighting the great location (the neighborhood of Gracia itself is wolderful) and good service. Do not have breakfast.

França

Paris: the best known and cheapest Hostel Paris was my choice: Auberge Internationale des Jeunes (http://www.aijparis.com/framea.htm). I paid 25 euros per night. It is close to metro, easy access to major tourist spots! The detail is that is close to the Bastille, which to me, a History teacher, is amazing. The critics divide between those who believe horrible (many) and those who liked. My main decision in choosing Hostel in Paris was staying in a crowded place, so I can meet, chat, exchange experiences and drinking together, so I think it will be good. Has breakfast (but it seems that it is very simple).

Saint Malo, Caen e Aix-En-Provence: in those three cities, my main goal will be to know the details of the daily life. I want to see how people live, talk and share experiences. So, I arranged in CouchSurfing (https://www.couchsurfing.org/) to stay in the house of lovely people. For free. It works like this: you register, fill in your profile (the most complete profile you can make), put your itinerary and see the list of people who are willing to host someone in that region. Than, you choose someone (this person got to have some things in common with you), then you submit your request. If the person is available, not traveling or etc., will accept you. I already sent out the invitations and was accepted by these good-hearted souls!

Marseille: In Marseille, I'll stay just a few hours. I´ll get there from the airport around midnight, sleep, and get out early. It will be a shame, because the Hostel I'm staying looks pretty cool: Vertigo Hostel (http://www.hotelvertigo.fr/). I will pay 24.30 euros for one night. I was so tired by the time I made my reservation that I ended up reserving to the wrong day. I sent an e-mail and quickly they changed the day (and no troubles, as in some establishments). The location is very good, and the photos show a very beautiful place. Breakfast is paid (5 euros - all you can eat).

Nice: I will probably be the best Hostel of my trip: Hostel Villa Saint Exupéry Gardens (http://www.villahostels.com/gallery-1-en). It has free parking, the place is beautiful, the breakfast looks sensational and criticis only tells good things about it. The price is very good to: 29 euros. Has breakfast.

Avignon: I´ll be there during the Festival D´Avignon, the biggest Theater festival in the world. Because of that, finding a place was very hard. I´ll stay in the YMCA Avignon (http://www.ymca-avignon.com/), paying 29 euros per night. The place is well located for those with car (close, but not in the middle of the craziness of the festival) and have a amazing view of the city Charges for the towels. Breakfast is 5 euros.

I

Arles: there, I´ll stay in on of the HI Hostels (http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-Arles-020034.en.htm). I stayed sometimes before in Hostels of this franchising. Is like that: doesn´t matter where you are, your breakfast will have eggs and bacon! Is padronized, but always a good breakfast (if you skip the eggs and bacon). You will feel in the US no matter where. I always had good experiences with them, so I guess that this will not be a problem. In Arles, I payed 19 euros per night. Has breakfast.