Hostal Maravilla

The tablecloths had holes, portions were too small, and the food was below average. The waiters were incredibly unfriendly, making the meal a disaster. We only stopped because it was the first place we saw in Toledo, and it was expensive. A Japanese woman at the next table smiled when her paella arrived and took a photo, but her expression turned to disgust after she tried it. In the days that followed, we looked around more carefully and found other places where the food they threw away was as good as what this restaurant served.

At €43 a night, the quality of service made the price feel outrageous, even with the hostel right on Zocodover square. We spent two nights there and didn't eat any meals at the hostel. The staff were awful and didn't even say hello. The lift only starts at the first floor, and upstairs the building looked very old and unrenovated. Our room was a decent size, but the sheets and blankets were smaller than the bed. Rest was difficult because a bar downstairs stayed open late and noise carried between rooms. It wasn't visibly dirty, but I doubt the tiny terrace had ever been cleaned. That's about all I can say, especially since other people apparently weren't happy with the food either.

The location is useful if you've got lots of luggage: it's right in the heart of Toledo's old town, close to parking and the tourist information centre. But the place is too expensive for what it offers. The beds are a bit uncomfortable, and the food leaves something to be desired.

The woman who welcomed us was really friendly and pointed us toward places to eat and see. The location is handy for the main attractions, and the price is pretty good. Of course, paying little doesn't mean getting luxury.