Astra Hotel

We wanted exactly a very basic hotel, and the location was perfect. The rooms are big, but the walls are paper-thin, so bring earplugs. Staff start getting up at 0700 or even earlier, and it feels like a war zone. I wouldn't book directly, since travel agents or other websites may have better deals.

The hotel's location near restaurants and public transport was the only reason for the one star. It shouldn't have three stars. Our first-floor room didn't have the double bed we'd requested. The bed was falling apart, the old sheets had holes, the view was a terrace, patio, or wall, and the bathroom was in very poor condition with a clogged sink. The reception, open until 10pm, shares space with a restaurant that runs until 1-2am. In the old building, thin walls let through loud music, singing, karaoke, and shouting. At 5-6am I could hear cleaners laughing and deliveries to the restaurant. When I asked for a manager, the receptionist called and said they'd meet me in my room in 45 minutes, at 9am. I waited until 11, then left the hotel to find the receptionist just smiled and said nothing. That's perfect customer service, apparently. The website says there are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, but that isn't true. This hotel uses pictures from its sister hotel just around the corner, which I can say is a three-star hotel. The people here are liars and unprofessional. Avoid this place unless you don't mind a three-star hostel instead of a hotel.

The only good part of my November 2016 stay was the reception staff, who were friendly and helpful. Breakfast is served at the Preluna hotel around the corner. The rest was awful. The beds were hard as stones and squeaky, and the papier-mâché walls let me hear neighbors walking, snoring, farting, and whatever else. There was a draft under the doors, so it was actually windy inside the room. The sink was in the bedroom. This was the worst hotel I've stayed in. Stay away.

The breakfast was nice, so that's where the one star comes from. Otherwise, getting to sleep before midnight was nearly impossible: thin walls, poorly fitted windows, and pubs and restaurants below competing to make the most noise. Other lodgers didn't care about anyone else either. Horrendous place. Whoever gave it three stars was either bribed or drunk. I'd avoid it at all costs.