The Jay Hotel by HappyCulture

We spent several lovely days at The Jay Hotel, and it was a great fit for our family. Our one-year-old seemed to enjoy it too, especially with the toys provided. The staff were so nice and made us feel warmly welcomed. The location is ideal, very close to the promenade and the events location during Carnival. We’ll definitely consider coming back.

Breakfast was fresh and tasty, with a good selection. I especially liked the tea choices. There’s a lobby machine for still and sparkling water, plus coffee and tea available any time. Glass bottles are provided beside it for taking water to your room. After checkout, we could leave our luggage and collect it a few hours later, which was handy. Our room was spacious, clean, and well maintained, with Wi-Fi. I initially couldn't find the hair dryer, but it was in the closet. The bathroom has a radiator, while the room is heated or cooled through the hotel air-conditioning system. We were there in January, and once we turned on the heating, it was warm and comfortable. The hotel is about a 10-minute walk from the train station and around five minutes from the sea, so getting around was easy. The young women at reception were very kind and helpful throughout our stay. A very pleasant visit, and I’d recommend the hotel.

The location is very convenient, and the small room and faulty bathroom door might have been manageable for that reason. We stayed in a first-floor studio, but it felt much too small to be called a studio. It had a kitchenette with a microwave and dishes for two, yet only one chair, so eating in the room meant sitting on the bed. The bed was comfortable and firm enough, though there was no bedside table on one side, and I had to put my phone on the bed. The bathroom door wouldn't close properly unless locked. The worst part was the noise coming through what seemed to be old single-pane windows. When the street was quiet, the room was quiet, too, but on our last night it sounded like people nearby were doing construction work overnight. The banging kept us awake almost the whole time. Being on the first floor, it felt like sleeping on the street. Better windows would make a big difference, and this noise is why I wouldn't return. Breakfast was mediocre. Some reviews call it cheap, but at €16 per person, there are much better options nearby. The scrambled eggs looked especially unappetizing, though one staff member noticed I was disappointed and kindly offered to make something else. I declined, but appreciated the offer. Breakfast was disappointing, but not a major issue with cafés, a bakery, and a supermaket nearby. The hotel also has free coffee and tea in the lobby. There was coffee in the room too, but our coffee machine was broken.

The staff were sweet and welcoming, and the clean, spacious rooms caused us no problems. It's right by the beach, and the place felt safe and secure. The AC didn't seem to cool the room much, though opening the window helped. You can hear people in the corridor, but it wasn't a big deal since they went into their rooms quickly.