Hotel Frances

Review: Great Location, But Unacceptable Maintenance and Upkeep** **Rating: 2/5** **The Highlights** * **Prime Location:** Ideally situated within walking distance of major sites, attractions, and fantastic dining options. * **Architecture:** The building itself is beautiful and architecturally stunning. * **Convenience:** Valet parking is available. **The Reality: A "Penthouse" in Disrepair** Despite the potential for a 5-star experience, the hotel is suffering from at least 30 years of severe deferred maintenance and poor housekeeping. My "penthouse" room was in a state of deep neglect: * **Safety & Hygiene:** The room is missing a smoke detector, and there are concerning stains on the walls. * **Room Condition:** Paint is flaking off the walls and ceiling onto the furniture. The furniture itself is torn, and the bathroom sink is visibly pulling away from the wall. * **Plumbing & Facilities:** The shower drains poorly, causing water to flood the bathroom floor. The room's phone is non-functional, and the TV and A/C remotes are physically tethered to the wall. * **Amenities:** The rooftop terrace—which could be spectacular—is entirely unfurnished. The advertised jacuzzi is a deplorable, decades-old relic that appears unsafe to use. * **Technology:** Both the Wi-Fi and the TV service (which relies on the Wi-Fi) are non-functional. * **Service:** The management approach is questionable; I was required to surrender my ID just to borrow a clothing iron. **Bottom Line** This property is a "trip"—it has charm, but it is currently a tragic mess. Unless the hotel addresses the systemic deferred maintenance and hygiene issues, it is impossible to recommend this to other travelers. I have attached photos documenting these conditions, as they speak louder than words. I will start with the good. The location is perfect. Walkable to many sites and fantastic dining and site seeing opportunities. They also offer valet parking. The building's architecture is amazing. The hotel itself is quite frankly a tragic mess. It has the potential to be a 5 star hotel, 2 is a gift. I have a "penthouse" room

Very nice everything very well comfortable very friendly all rooms very clean nice everything very well I hope to come back and host don of himself with balcony view everything very close to the center very rich food in his restaurant everything very well one hundred percent guaranteed

The location cannot be beat. Charming old (400+ years!), somewhat shopworn hotel. Friendly, helpful staff—kudos to Fernando and Raulio! We had a penthouse suite, a great bargain! To get there, one must ride in the World’s Slowest Elevator, but who’s hurrying? The suite was lacking in decor, but very comfortable, good AC, and had not one, but TWO jacuzzis. Great value!!