Hotel Cigarral Santa Maria

The restaurant was another letdown: the food wasn’t tasty, the portions were small and the prices were high. But the worst part was our bed and air conditioning. The bed was very uncomfortable, and the room’s AC kept shutting off, so we had to call the front desk to reset it. We needed sleep, and being forced to call through the night was ridiculous. We ended up leaving the balcony door open all night, with no window screens, and woke up scratching welts from spider bites. Two weeks later, the bites still itch terribly. The owners should be embarrassed to take our money without providing basic comforts like working AC and a decent mattress, then use the excuse that it’s a new hotel. We felt ripped off.

The room and the staff were the best parts: the hotel is modern and very nice, has a good view, and the staff were pleasant and helpful. But the restaurant menu is extremely limited, the food choices are among the worst I’ve experienced, and opening hours are very restricted. They also don’t let you bring in outside food, so you’re left with the hotel’s limited menu. There’s no transfer to the city or train terminal, something many hotels offer nowadays. With so few food options and no outside food allowed, they should either provide a ride to city restaurants or greatly improve the restaurant’s menu and hours. The overall cost didn’t feel worthwhile. They need to work on food and accessibility.

Our family had a memorable, pleasant stay in this charming hotel. The rooms have lots of character and a distinctive atmosphere, and the location is wonderful. My only complaints were the restaurant’s value for money and portion sizes, plus the lack of tea or coffee facilities in the room.

The room was clean and housekeeping did a good job, but that was about the best of it. We had electrical problems, the sink wouldn’t drain until maintenance took it apart, and the AC kept cutting out in the heat. The shower swung between hot and cold, and the clear glass bathroom door offered no privacy. Dining was a problem too: outside food isn’t allowed, while the restaurant has small servings and few choices, so you’re left with little option unless you take a taxi into Toledo. The building feels cheaply made, the location isn’t good, and the unfinished roads nearby seem to lead nowhere. I wouldn’t recommend it.