The Venue Hostel Boutique

We had a really good four-night stay and would come back for the price we paid. The location suited a first visit to the city, or anyone wanting somewhere a bit quieter. I do think it’s worth knowing what the rooms are actually like, since the website calls this luxury accommodation and that wasn’t our experience. The building is gorgeous, with a marble staircase, but there’s no lift. Our room had a bed, two bedside tables, a clothes rail and shelf, a toilet, and an open shower. The metal stool bedside tables had holes in them, so they weren’t very practical. There were no drawers, no safe, and no drink-making facilities. The only mirror was in the bathroom, and there wasn’t a full-length one. Some rooms have a separate bathroom, but our open shower led straight into the room. There was nowhere to hang a towel when getting in or out. The sconces, switches, and plugs were right behind my head in bed, and I hit my head on them a few times. Noise was our biggest problem. There are signs asking guests to keep quiet from 9pm to 8am, but people didn’t follow that. The walls are very thin. One night we could hear a neighbour urinating, flushing, and washing his hands, which felt like far too much to hear. There was often a bad smell in the stairwell and corridors, and sometimes it reached our room, though opening the window cleared it. The check-in was amazing from start to finish, and the reception team was helpful whenever we contacted them by phone or at the desk. I believe reception is open 24 hours, but staff are only at the desk during certain hours, as they explained several times. We had a great time, but the hotel’s luxury label just doesn’t fit what you get.

I felt ripped off by the high price, and the stay was miserable. The photos gave the impression there were two rooms, but there was only one. The room was filthy, with a terrible sewage odor that seemed to come from bad pipes. There were no coffee pods or cups for the machine, and no fridge or safe. At night, the four flights of stairs were unlit and felt dangerous. I have a video showing it. There was dried toothpaste on the bathroom wall too, which says a lot about the poor cleaning.

I’ve traveled all over the world, and this was one of the worst experiences I’ve had. I arrived at the hotel around 15 minutes past 2 pm on a Monday and found it closed. A hotel shutting its doors on guests was hard to believe, and I thought I was being scammed. I called several times, using very expensive roaming minutes, and left multiple desperate voicemails. No one answered. I got no apology or reply, and it felt like they had no concern for me. Only after checking my email did I see that they had sent a message through the Agoda inbox the day before, even though I’d booked weeks earlier. This was about something critical: there would be nobody there to welcome guests. The stay was already paid for and non-refundable. Guests unfamiliar with the siesta schedule could be left out in the winter, and the hotel should have a backup plan. I waited to see if they might open at 4 pm, but nothing. My booking was for a Monday, and even Agoda couldn’t get through to them. Thankfully, Agoda found me another hotel, which was much, much better. I’d recommend Zenit Valencia Hotel instead. It was impeccable and in a great central spot by the train. I’m disgusted by how this hotel treated me. I hope this warns management and future guests. Don’t offer hospitality if your accommodation operates on such a tight schedule. Skip this place if you don’t want your whole vacation ruined.

The Bombay café downstairs was a nice extra, and the location is excellent. I’d read some worrying comments beforehand, but my own stay was overwhelmingly positive. It was quiet at night, at least while I was there, and the rooms were clean. The bathroom basin really was tiny, though the shower had plenty of room and good showerheads. Room service was commendable.