Gran Playa Hotel

I appreciate places with history and tradition, and that’s why I think this hotel should look after the details that support its reputation, or simply charge less. We spent two nights here as a family, and the price felt excessive for what was offered. In the room they call an apartment, the shower was broken, the toilet had limescale, and the tiles were moldy. The balcony had pigeon droppings all over it, while the roller blinds were dusty from years of use. They say Wi-Fi is available only in the common areas, though we couldn’t connect even there, despite the website advertising Wi-Fi. The CRT televisions had snowy channels, like in the old days.

The location is the one thing that still works in this hotel. I hadn’t been back for six years, and sadly it seems unchanged or even worse. Breakfast has dropped off too. There used to be more choice, but now it’s basically bread and some pudding. They’ve cut the staff as well, and you can see one woman working alone all morning, trying to keep up with everything. The executive rooms are in poor shape. The TV gets no signal, Wi-Fi doesn’t reach, and the bathroom faucet is broken. It feels like the oceanfront rooms get attention while the rooms at the back are left neglected.

Breakfast really needs work. It was sparse and low quality, with watery juice, bread that couldn’t be toasted, very cheap jam, and croissants that seemed stale. The staff, though, were very attentive. The place has an unmistakable 1940s feel, down to the carpets and their particular smell. It’s old, but well kept, with no obvious structural damage or dampness. Its best feature is the location, right on the beach and close to everything.

The staff were excellent and gave us good service, and at least the two rooms we stayed in were identical. But the hotel is badly run down. It’s a shame, because it’s a lovely place with all the antiques, but it needs investment, cleaning, and new towels and sheets. Our first room had a bed spring sticking out of the frame, and I nearly tore my leg open on it. The single ceiling fan didn’t reach either bed, and the pillows were practically useless. They moved us, but the fan in the second room only worked on its highest setting. Both rooms smelled musty. The Wi-Fi didn’t work in either one, the 90s TVs had no working channels, and the bathroom door handle was broken. Breakfast was very poor: croissants, white sliced bread, a few puddings, cream cheese and jam in a jar, lukewarm coffee, and a few thin slices of toast. They charge 1000 pesos to fill a thermos with hot water. Parking at the hotel costs 10,000 pesos a night. The location is excellent.