Hotel Santiago de León

We were a group of 55 on a tour, and I had a lovely stay overall. The hotel was really good, with clean sheets and towels, soap provided, and air conditioning that was a great relief. You’ll need to bring a swimming towel or rent one for €1; the pool closes at night. Getting around on foot isn’t easy, either. It’s not within walking distance of Leon, so you need a car, and there isn’t much nearby for a walk around. It works as straightforward accommodation with some nighttime entertainment. Dinner had a few surprises: I’m not Spainish, so I can’t say if it’s cultural, but salad was served as a starter and I wasn’t expecting that. Vegetarian choices weren’t great. I ordered a cuppachino and got a very strong espresso instead, which I really didn’t like. There was no toothpaste, either.

The bed felt like a mobile platform. One small turn and I was halfway across the room, drifting away from my partner whether I wanted to or not. The TV was mounted so high that watching an episode seemed like a job for a chiropractor, and I’m surprised they don’t give out neck braces at check-in. The room itself was outdated and smelled musty, as if there hadn’t been an upgrade or proper maintenance in 40 years. The curtain was the filthiest I’ve ever seen in a hotel room, and there were mold stains all over the bathroom. Room service said a high-tech robot would bring our order to the door, but when we called, they told us to pick it up downstairs. Looking back, expecting a working robot from a place this run-down was wishful thinking. They charge €80 a night for this disgrace. Never again, and I’d strongly advise everyone to stay away and spare themselves the regret.

At night it was very quiet, and there was enough parking right by the entrance. The pool was nice, 1.70 metres deep, with no children’s pool but a lifeguard on duty. It only opens from 12 to 8 because a lifeguard is needed. The rooms are spacious, though you can hear the neighbours’ TV. Breakfast is simple, but the staff are so friendly they make up for it. Leon is a lovely, lively city, just a 5 to 10 minute drive away, or take a taxi. The staff at the hotel were very friendly.

I was quite disappointed. The rooms have a very old style, the bathroom was dirty, and the bathtub was really uncomfortable. The room photos look much better than things are in reality, so I’m not sure how this hotel got its 4-star rating. The reception staff were very inflexible: we couldn’t see the room until after paying, and by then it was too late to change anything. Breakfast was very poor, and the hotel is a bit far from the city centre, so you need a car. This doesn’t meet a 4-star hotel standard, and I wouldn’t recommend it at all.