Pensión Atxiki

The room was tiny, damp, and smelled as soon as we opened the door. We stayed on the ground floor, with the bathroom across the hallway. The floor was dirty, with sand and who knows what else, and the bathroom was filthy. There was nowhere to hang a towel, and my partner couldn't stand up straight in front of the sink. Holes in the room's walls and ceiling were covered with scotch tape. The furniture was falling apart too. I tried moving the nightstand nearer the bed but gave up because it was barely holding together. We'd messaged the owner several times the week before, to say we'd arrive late in the evening and ask if that was okay. There was no reply until about an hour before we got there, when we received an email asking if we were still coming. The access codes arrived hours after the official check-in time. It felt like a complete lack of care for guests and the condition of the building, with zero investment. Not recommended.

The rooms were okay for tidiness and general standard, though the house itself looked a bit run-down. The location is good, away from the town centre and the more touristy areas, but close to the surf beach and some nice cafes, restaurants, and bars.

Parking wasn't easy, but the staff were lovely. It's good value, right by a fabulous beach and close to the old town.

The room was a little cramped, but the friendly owner and quieter spot at the end of the beach made it a comfortable place to stay. Nights were relatively peaceful, and the main city was still close enough to reach on foot. Being at the end of town also made it easy to walk all the way to the other end and do a nice loop. It takes about a day to see the whole town, leaving out the two castles up high.