Hotel Igeretxe

The best parts were the location and the views. The staff were just nice enough, but the hotel promised much more than it delivered. We paid £314.00 for 4 nights in the basic room with a garden view, which I can’t justify given how little is provided. I don’t understand charging over £700 per night for a sea-view room with no facilities. There’s no breakfast, bar or coffee shop. They may point to the restaurant on the ground floor, but it’s independently run and you can only enter from the seafront promenade, not through the hotel. The hallways were dirty and smelled like animals, even though the property advertises that pets aren’t allowed. There were questionable stains on the hallway carpet, and outside there was an unbearable rotten-fish-like smell coming from somewhere. The hotel offers no breakfast, water or place to buy a drink, and doesn’t provide a kettle, iron or drinks in the fridge. The AC didn’t work, so the room got too hot at night. Opening the windows let in air, but also left us getting bitten by mosquitoes while dealing with the fishy smell. We left disappointed, feeling robbed of our money, and covered in mosquito bites on our arms, legs and face. For what you pay, all you get is a roof and a bed. It’s not worth the money.

The location is unbeatable, right on the beach with lovely views and easy access to the sea. The staff were friendly and tried their best to help. But the hotel itself was in very poor repair, nowhere near what you’d expect from a four-star place. The rooms were outdated, fixtures were broken or worn, there was mold in the bathrooms, and the mattresses were thin and uncomfortable. The lobby and other shared areas also looked tired and uncared for, and even basic amenities were missing or substandard. We came hoping for a relaxing beach holiday, but the state of the hotel quickly spoiled that. I can’t recommend it unless serious renovations and upgrades are made.

We were travelling as a young couple with a baby, and the staff made sure we were comfortable, including providing a crib and good suggestions for restaurants and attractions. The front desk welcomed us warmly, checked us in quickly and explained the hotel’s amenities and services. The lobby, with its plush seating and tasteful art, felt inviting. Our room was spacious, elegant and immaculately clean, with big beach-view windows and thick curtains that kept the bright city lights from disturbing our sleep. We had a delicious meal in the restaurant, with a varied menu of fresh, locally sourced dishes presented beautifully and served with excellent service. The location worked well for us too: the beach was nearby, popular pincho bars were within walking distance, and the bus station was a few blocks away, which made exploring the city with our baby easy. We had a luxurious, memorable weekend and would recommend the hotel to couples and families.

The staff at reception and housekeeping were friendly and helpful. The rooms were large, spotless and well equipped, with simple decor, good-sized en-suites, and extra-large, very comfortable beds. It’s an elegant, long-established building, though it was disappointing that the sink’s pop-up plug didn’t work. The main drawback is that the hotel doesn’t handle catering itself, so there’s no room service, which seems surprising for a 4* hotel. The two food outlets on site appear to operate independently, though their menus suggest they share a kitchen. They have great views, and the bar and terrace bar are lovely places for a drink. We didn’t try lunch or dinner, though what we saw looked pretty good. Breakfast was otherwise unremarkable, and the Cafe con Letche was by far the worst I had in 24 days in Spain. I’d walk 9 minutes along the seafront to Itxas Bide instead, where breakfast costs less and is better.