Hotel Principe Paz

Pros: Great location on a pedestrian street across from a pretty park with lots of cafes and shops. Also close to other attractions within walking distance. The hotel was absolutely spotless in all areas that I visited. In the guest room, the sheets were ironed and the bed made up perfectly. Check in and check out were performed efficiently and professionally. Every employee I encountered was friendly and helpful. I requested a bathtub, and I got one. :-) My room (#311) faced the park, but was very quiet. The windows must be a sound-insulating type. The breakfast was part buffet style (coffee, juice, cereal, yogurt, sliced bread & a toaster oven, jelly, butter and other condiments) and part menu (eggs, meats & cheese, pastries, fruit, etc.) and was quite adequate to insure that you won’t walk away hungry. The bed and pillows were very comfortable. The room had a neutral smell—no dirty scents or perfumed scents. The window opened if you want fresh air. There is also a thermostat for cool or warm air conditioning. There is a restaurant on floor 1 with a bar and comfortable TV lounge. Also self-service coffee, tea and water available 24/7. Electrical outlets and light switches are conveniently located on each side of the bed just above the bedside table. There are comfy extra blankets folded inside a plastic bag on the top shelves of the closet. There is a safe for valuables, but I think you need to get the key from reception, and there may be a charge. The TV had a variety of channels, but seemed to be satellite rather than cable. Limited foreign languages. I saw German, Russian, English and French in addition to Spanish, but only a couple of each. I watched BBC News in English. In general, the Sercotel Principe Paz is an excellent value for the money. Cons: (The “cons” are not complaints, but only meant to be thorough and honest in order to help future guests and hotel management.) There is no passenger or luggage drop off area. You will need to walk at least half a block if you arrive by taxi, or farther if you drive and park your own car. There are several parking garages nearby where you can park for 24 hours for €6,95. The two and only elevators are very small (typical) and very slow, so you may have to wait some time for your turn, or else take the stairs. The water sprayer for the shower in the bathtub leaked. The bathroom mirror was a little rusty on the edges—nothing but a frame needed here. There was a crack in the porcelain lid of the toilet. There were no bags for sanitary napkin disposal. The wooden furniture in room 311 was dated and a little worn. The windows did not lock. There is no coffee machine, kettle, minibar or refrigerator in the room (but you can go to the buffet area on floor 1 and find coffee and some other goodies). There was no bottled water in the room. The poached eggs I ordered for breakfast were cold—very cold. I suppose they were precooked and refrigerated. The breakfast food in general,

The location was the best part of the hotel experience. The room was rather small and dark because the window looked out to a dark alley and was opposite another tall building. The bathroom had a hairdryer and toiletries, including toothbrushes and a razor kit. Unfortunately, the mattresses on our twin beds were too hard to be comfortable. The staff at the reception was friendly. The breakfast was nothing special. Dried-up eggs and bacon that had been cooked earlier and kept under a heat lamp. The coffee was served from a machine and was also disappointing.