Hotel Calpe

We chose this place for its central spot in Alcañiz, and the old building looks nice with views over the main square. You can walk to most places a tourist would want, and the restaurant downstairs is good and reasonably priced. Check-in was easy, and the receptionists were friendly and helpful. They offered to move us because of the air-conditioning problem, but none of the rooms had working cooling then. We also appreciated that a receptionist made us coffee in the restaurant before it had opened. The room itself was basic but fine for a two-star hotel, and we expected that. The bathroom was small, though better than many Spanish bathrooms, with glass enclosing the shower so water stayed contained. Water pressure was good. The hotel was quiet inside and we couldn’t hear other guests, but noise from events in the main square could carry in, as it can in Spanish town squares. We didn’t have breakfast included, so can’t judge whether it was worth the price. There’s no parking on site, though the hotel mentions parking, so it may have an arrangement with a garage. If you have a car, the City of Alcañiz hotel has free parking and much nicer rooms for a similar price. The serious issue was the cooling during a heat wave. Our room reached 30°C, and after managing the first night, we couldn’t bear another and moved to a different hotel. We asked for a refund for that second night and received only a partial one. The hotel said it uses swamp coolers instead of traditional air conditioning, and that the long spell of heat had stopped them working. I wasn’t angry with the owners and understand there may have been nothing they could do that night, but we shouldn’t have had to pay for an air-conditioned room they couldn’t provide. We knew a heat wave was coming, so I had messaged the hotel through Booking.com to say we needed air conditioning, and they told me it was available. I’m not going to argue with them over the partial rather than full refund, but I’m very disappointed they charged us for something they couldn’t provide. We paid for one and a half rooms that night after switching hotels. Even if the breakdown wasn’t their fault, their customer service fell short. Once they knew they couldn’t deliver what they advertised, especially after confirming it by email, they should have refunded the full night. It’s like a restaurant telling you it’s out of sandwiches, then charging half the price anyway because the shortage wasn’t its fault. The great location and friendly staff don’t make this a good summer option when the cooling is most needed.