Casa Nou

The location is genuinely convenient, but it didn’t make up for how poorly the stay went. Our messages on Booking.com were ignored, the toilet barely flushed, the bed was so hard I woke up with back pain, and nobody explained the hot water setup. I got ice-cold water in the shower without any warning that it worked differently from a normal accommodation. The bigger problem was the way we were treated. Staff were rude and unwelcoming when we arrived at night and again the next morning. We got in late and asked politely for just one extra hour before checkout. Even after explaining more than once, we were told to pay over half the room price for that hour. When we tried to talk it through, the answer was basically, “That’s our policy, your problem.” No empathy or attempt to help, and we never felt welcome as guests. I wouldn’t recommend Casa Nou unless the staff approach and policies change a lot. Hospitality should involve people, not just rigid rules.

The bed was super uncomfortable, and the staff couldn’t speak basic English. Also, guests don’t get a key to the main front door, so every time you come back you have to ring the bell and wait for someone to let you in. It felt like staying in somebody else’s house, except you’re paying. They should give guests a key or leave the main gate open.

The room got warm because there’s no ventilation, and opening the window even a little let in more noise. I can imagine it being worse in warmer months. You could hear the whole hotel: the doorbell, lift, road, construction drilling at 2am for hours, and guests screaming with night terrors that echoed through the place all night. It was hard to relax or feel good about coming back after a day in the city. The room itself was nothing like the photos. It was dark, damp, smelled awful, and wasn’t clean. There was sick on the bathroom walls, mould everywhere, and the shower leaked so badly that it flooded the bathroom every time. We asked three times to move rooms and were refused each time, even though Booking.com showed rooms available. Avoid this place and stay somewhere else.

The staff were lovely, and there’s an elevator, which makes heavy luggage easier than a place with lots of stairs. The closet had plenty of room, the pillows were great, and I had a nice table plus a long one to spread my things out. The kitchenette with a sink and two burners was a nice touch, and the room had wonderful appointments. In room 206, the shower pressure and heat were spectacular, though there may be hair caught in the drain causing the water to run slowly. The bathroom could use a small table for toiletries, especially if two people are sharing it. There’s also a little step up in room 206, worth remembering if you get up at night. If the shower drain is clogged, the bathroom layout leaves a lot of water on the floor, and I worry it could eventually affect ceilings below. It’s a great base for Condesa, with easy access to the Metro and Line 1 Metrobus, and an easy walk to the lovely parts of the neighborhood. The price seemed fair for the facilities. Light from the hallway comes under the door at night, so sleep shades might help. The air conditioner can be loud, so earplugs are a good idea. The bed was harder than I like and I didn’t sleep as well as I could have, which would keep me from booking again personally. See photos.