Hotel Gudamendi

The grounds and shared spaces looked beautiful, with lovely views, manicured gardens, a spacious pool, and a very clean dining area. It's about 20 minutes from the heart of San Sebastian. But we were really let down by the rooms and service, especially for a 4-star hotel. Our room was old but comfortable enough, and very bare. We had to pay 2€ for a kettle and find our own tea, coffee, and cups. The mini fridge was empty, there were no robes or slippers, and the bathroom had just one basic soap from a dispenser. At the cafe/bar, there was no table service. We had to order at the bar, collect our food, and clear up ourselves. Tables were marked reserved to keep guests from using them, and I saw staff turn away people who wanted a simple sandwich because food service wouldn't start for another 1.5 hours. Three staff were standing around talking at the bar with nothing to do. The hotel is fairly isolated, so the cafe could be the only food option for guests who don't want to drive elsewhere. I also think a 4-star hotel should offer complimentary water, tea, or coffee, especially in that location. There was no pool service or drinking water there either. Breakfast cost an extra 13€ and had no hot or freshly cooked food, just pastries, fruit, and cold cuts. It was self-serve, and we had to clean up after ourselves. These things wouldn't bother me in a simple hotel, but we chose this one because of its 4-star rating. I can't understand how it holds that rating with the service it offers. Later in our trip, we stayed at a 2-star hotel in Vitoria, and the service there made us feel like royalty.

The playground for kids is quite large, and we had a very nice stay overall. It's a charming old hotel on a hill above the ocean, with stunning views of the sea and nearby mountains. It rained now and then, which is pretty normal, but we still got to spend quite a bit of time outside.

We expected more from a four-star hotel. The room had a really awful smell, like cheap room spray, and in the morning the noise was constant because people kept moving chairs. We could hear everything. We wouldn't stay again.

The beds were comfortable, and there was even an extra pillow in the closet. The shower was great too, with plenty of room. Check-in was smooth, and the person at reception was welcoming and spoke excellent English. The restaurant didn't live up to a four-star rating. The menu was mostly pizza, hamburgers, chicken wings, and similar things, without any really great options, so we drove down the mountain to eat in the city. The room had no garbage bin except a small one in the bathroom, and no toilet brush, which seemed odd and unsanitary. Also, the “garden view” is actually onto a courtyard, so you need to close the curtains for privacy.