Amalur

We couldn't manage the second night of our two-night booking. The smell in the room became so bad after a few hours that it made us gag. At first we thought it was damp, but it was strongly like urine. There were tiny spiders all over the bathroom, as though they were nesting somewhere, and the hallways smelled of marijuana as soon as we came in. For what it costs, the value is awful. We absolutely wouldn't recommend staying here.

I stayed a week at Amalur while going to the Springsteen concerts in San Sebastián. The city gets packed for events like that, and hotel prices are outrageous. Orio was lovely, and the center is a 15-minute walk away. The place was spotless and really peaceful. The beds were comfortable, the bathroom was fine, and there was a wardrobe, though no hairdryer. Towels were changed every day, which felt a bit excessive to me. There’s a bus stop nearby, Anibarco Portua, with UK09 and UK11 buses to San Sebastián. You need a “mugi” card, available at the Iturain tobacconist in Orio. One issue was the poor Wi-Fi and very weak mobile reception, at least with my Digi service. Also, the address on Airbnb is wrong, so use the one listed on Google. I recommend it, especially for families. I don’t believe many of the other reviews.

Tina was a terrific host, and the neighboring village is charming and very peaceful. It’s a good base for a few quiet days, with worthwhile places to visit nearby. The location is convenient, the room was a nice size with its own bathroom, and the bed was comfortable. Everything was very clean, and the shared areas were set up well for cooking, eating, or taking a break.

The rooms have that country house feel, and each comes with a private bathroom. Tina and her family are lovely, and the setting is idyllic if you’re after quiet and beautiful views. We could use the kitchen and living room just like at home. The room was cleaned daily, and the price was fantastic for what we got.