Hotel Duques de Medinaceli

Breakfast was good, and the service was attentive and kind. The room, though, was cold and gloomy. We were on the ground floor, facing the street, with bars on the windows. The decor felt old and worn, and I left disappointed. Has this place been renovated at all?

We ended up with a suite upgrade, which made the stay feel extra special. The bedroom had a very comfortable bed, lovely linens and pillows, plenty of wardrobe space, a big TV, and lots of outlets. The bathroom was spacious, with a bath, separate shower, double sinks, and good quality toiletries. There was a comfy sofa and another large TV in the living area, plus a well-stocked minibar, Nespresso machine, and kettle. The gardens and pool are lovely, and I imagine they'll look even better as summer gets closer. We didn't eat at the restaurant, though it offers breakfast and dinner, with availability depending on the season. The hotel is beautiful, full of history, tastefully decorated, and spotlessly clean. It's easy to reach, has on-site parking for a fee, and is a short walk from the old town. The person who checked us in, who I think was Paloma, was wonderfully friendly and helpful. We'd happily stay here again.

The gardens are a lovely place to relax, and there are several sitting rooms on the ground floor. The old building has character, the restaurant is in a nice spot, private parking is a real plus, and the staff were attentive. But it's a bit far from the main parts of the city. Our large room only had a tiny patio for a window, with no direct view of the street. I couldn't make sense of the €45 bill for three beers, salmorejo, and a plate of jamón, though the jamón was very good, so maybe that explains it. Would I come back? Maybe, maybe not.

If modern fixtures and fittings are what you want, this probably isn't the place. I liked its history, enormous rooms, classic gardens, and warm, attentive staff. It's also a great base for day trips to Cadiz.