Hotel Alma

I gave this 4 stars based on the help and friendly reception we got on arrival. The accommodation is basic but clean and very central. We arrived early evening having booked 1hour before, due to our vehicle breaking down. Recommendation was given by reception to eat at a local restaurant, and even booked for us. The meal was outstanding and good value. Overall great service.

The hotel has a past, like its neighbourhood. It is managed against the odds, but trimmings needs refits. The mirror in the bathroom was cracked, the toilet seat loose, the cupboard did not close, and the towels were in short supply. However, the price is modest, and the location is not bad. We were able to lock our bicycles in a garage in the neighbourhood.

The hotel just turned over the management. Some issues with checking in, the run-down neighborhood, and the construction around the place influenced our decision to leave and not stay here. Perhaps now that the management has had some time to get their feet on the ground perhaps it would be better. First finding parking at this place was a pain as many roads were blocked off. My husband let me out and had to circle around a few times. Okay this is Europe where parking is a pain. Another surprise was that the card reader was not yet registered so we needed to pay cash. Fine, though an email ahead of time would have been appreciated as other hotels on our trip had done. So we needed to go to a bank first okay. However to do so, the manager said to move the cones and park in front of the hotel it will be okay. My husband did this. The plumbers working on the hotel parked their van right into our rental car scratching it. The plumber was belligerent about it and said it did not matter because his van was fine. The Manager then told us it was our fault and that we should have not parked there. We left at that point upset but the events and did not like the overall feel of the neighborhood. On the upside we found an absolutely lovely hotel in Vias called Hotel Gambetta.