ALMIRANTE

I was here for work from Monday to Saturday, booked by a local agent. The location is handy for good restaurants and shopping within walking distance, and the breakfast restaurant was fine. The waitress seemed like the hardest worker there. Rooms were okay, but a few things brought my rating down. Senior staff at reception seemed welcoming and smiled. The younger staff were very quiet and didn't smile, almost as if they didn't want to be there. The noise is the reason I'd never choose this hotel again. A hotel's main job, to me, is letting guests sleep, and this one failed badly. Street noise was already high from my second-floor room, and I doubt higher floors would be much better. Since I was tired after work, I could sleep through it during the week. But on my last night, before a Saturday morning flight, there was a party in the hotel. I assume they rent out space for events. The place turned into a disco, with loud music and people singing along. Earplugs made no difference. It went on past 2 a.m., the last time I checked my watch, and I eventually drifted off sometime later. I think management made a huge mistake allowing music that loud at a party in a hotel. It's unfair to guests who are there to sleep, whether for work or a holiday. If they want to rent out space for big parties and allow that volume in a building where sound carries so easily, they should consider taking bookings only from party attendees. At checkout I mentioned the all-night noise when the receptionist dropped a pen, joking that it might be from lack of rest. At least that got a smile, but there was no further comment or apology. The breakfast restaurant itself was fine.