Hotel Real Colegiata San Isidoro

An unusual hotel in an old monastery with a lovely courtyard. However we were travelling by car and it’s near impossible to find with the maze of pedestrianised areas and one way streets. It took us an hour to find the hotel once we’d entered the city and even then we drove down a pedestrian street in sheer desperation (and with the blessing of passers-by who couldn’t suggest a better way to get there). Not a great start to our one night stay in Leon.

The hotel is rated 3 star. Can’t understand why. It’s the best 3 star I have ever stayed in and amazing value. Should be 4 star or even 5 star. The place is stunningly beautiful. It was originally part of the adjoining monastery. Our room was on the 2 nd floor with a view over the enormous patio (cloister). The room was beautifully minimalist. Great shower and nice bathroom. Breakfast was perfect with everything we wanted. Staff friendly and professional. Free parking in the centre of beautiful Leon.

Read the reviews on here and was worried what to expect, however it exceeeded our expacttions and is well worth short sty break. Parking alongsde is ideal if driving and easy to find , instructons spot on Checkin great, really good English on reception thankfully, and walk to rooms was like an antique centre with beutifaul pieces everywhere harking back to its heritage as a convent. Its really close to main town as well, so 5 minute walk downhill and your at the cathedral and top of town. Didn't see a hotel bar as such, however its only a base. Rooms basic but good, although air con needs to crank up a bit. Now the best bit, we bookd one of their music dinners in the clositers, a sort of modern music type event (they do classics as we). lots of tables laid out, perfromer area all n the gardens, then a fantastic 5 coure meal and flowing wine made for a great night, all for about 60 euro each. Superb evening Breakfast was the only let down for us, really poor selection of food, not replenished , and had to clear our own table 3 mornings in a row as no staff anywhere. This is not a top end luxury hotel with super attentive service, its a quirky older hotel as a base for exploring and fantastic evening entertnment some nights.

Am still staying here, so maybe a bit premature, but I doubt my observations will change. On the upside: beautiful building and courtyard, receptionists friendly, one with very good English and helpful the other almost none but still tried to help, so muchos gracias. Excellent location, close to the centre but a little more quiet. Now the bad news. The aircon doesn't work. At all. And they gave up fixing it. They don't seem to understand a double room. We had 2 small double beds, each not big enough for two, but occupying almost all the room space, nowhere to relax. And we were supposedly in the superior room. No coffee, no tea. Do they do room service? I very much doubt it. It's a place that echoes a fair bit so can be noisy inside. Worst part is we came back from dinner elsewhere to have dessert here, with a glass of dessert wine, to enjoy in their lovely courtyard. First problem, no dessert wine. Seriously, in Spain? This was easily fixed by a trip to the bar 50m away who were OK with us taking glasses back. Next problem, unbelievably, we were told we were not allowed to sit in the courtyard. Apparently because it might encourage other people to want to do likewise on this beautiful May evening! Mmm, can't be having people doing what they want to do, can we, in a hotel..? And that was all after waiting way too long for someone to even bother to come to take our order. This place has to be government owned. They wouldn't understand hospitality if it bit them on the nose. It is run for their convenience, not yours, even if a few of the staff try. Maybe this will align with you, and you will enjoy it. For me, I can't stand this sort of non customer friendly attitude, when Spain and Portugal especially is full of places that do the exact opposite.