Pensión San José

We were in room 101, and there was nothing good about it. It stank of tobacco, and the smell had got into the linens, towels and curtains. The bathroom was so narrow that two people couldn’t even stand side by side, and the shower was tiny. The place was barely clean. It feels like they haven’t put a single euro into the guesthouse since it opened. We’ll never come back.

The mattresses in our room were fine, so if you’re only stopping to sleep, it might do. But the air conditioning worked only on the first day. On day two it was just a fan, and sleeping in summer was impossible. There’s no kitchen, only a microwave and a small fridge. The place is dated and worn. We wouldn’t return even for free. It’s more like a room in a doghouse, or somewhere to stop during a long trip.

The owner was a shameless crook. The website lists a fixed price for each room, but he charged us €70 for a room listed at €50. He called it a family business, said nobody gets cheated, and told us we should understand. They only take cash, of course. We handed over €100, and when he came back with the change he gave us €15 and asked if we were even. We said money was missing, and he angrily handed us the other €15 he’d had with him from the start. Quite an experience. And the room itself was a disaster: dirty sheets and pillows covered in hair, plus a pack of cigarettes jammed into the air conditioner to stop it shutting off. I suppose it wouldn’t work otherwise.

Loved it, truly incredible. The housekeepers were excellent, friendly and so majestic. Great value and great service, and the beds felt like sleeping on marshmallows. I’ll come back when I return from Australia and bring my family next time. Highly recommended. Goodbye. Shower.