Hotel Solar de Maria

The hotel looks attractive at first, with a colonial style meant to suggest a grand place, but its flaws show up quickly. Being next to a police station at least makes it seem relatively safe. The rooms are small enough that two people can't pass each other in front of the bed. The bed feels worn, there's only one pillow per person, and the sheets are so small that even a little movement can leave you lying directly on the mattress. Insulation is awful or nonexistent: wind comes in and heat escapes, though it doesn't rain inside. We both caught colds while staying here, but that may have been unrelated. You can also hear everything outside the room, from guests in the hallway to every passing car. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs or stay somewhere else. Breakfast is mediocre at best, and birds come through the door and leave droppings on the tables, chairs, and floor. The staff don't seem concerned about the possible hygiene problem. The breakfast area is cold because it lacks insulation or heating, so we had to wear our jackets to eat. There is parking, but the spaces are much too small for larger cars, so some guests take up several spots. That leaves little room and makes parking a slow, careful process. In the bathroom, you have to collect your shower water because they need it for cleaning. The shower leaks and floods the floor, which is a pain with so few towels; there's mold in the bathroom too. The sink tap only has cold water, and room service doesn't seem to clean daily. Put mildly, it was quite an experience. The hotel seems to have had its best days a long time ago. It calls itself four star, so anyone expecting international four star standards will be very disappointed. If you think of it as a cheap two star bed and breakfast, it may be perfectly acceptable, and you could have a fantastic time.