Carlton Rioja

Stayed four nights in this clean, well-furnished centrally-located hotel. Within easy walking distance from the main ponchos/tapas area. Hotel breakfast was a good buffet, coffee machine. A nice terrace area with coffee-making facilities. underground car parking. Room facilities include TV & fridge & plenty of plug points.

PROS. *Staff were fantastic the moment you arrived. We were staying for the eclipse and they provided every guest a set of free glasses to enjoy it, which was a lovely gesture. They also really went above and beyond to help us out with advice to visiting wineries in the local area, because our first attempt ended in disaster with it being closed for the day and a wasted taxi trip. They telephoned various locations to check for us if they were open, so that we didn't have another wasted trip. This was excellent customer service and we managed to find a great one in town, thanks to their advice. * Room was very spacious and comfortable with free water in the fridge every day and a modern pod coffee machine that was replenished every day too. It was spotless and the shower had great water pressure. The air con unit is an old style, but that's a good thing because it worked like a charm. We also had a good street view to watch the world go by. * They also have a very nice lounge with a terrace for all the guests to use to relax in. Some argue that the style is a little dated, but we disagree because it's nice to stay in a hotel with a bit of character, rather than a boring corporate box. Cons. None. Overall we were very impressed and would stay again for sure.

The common areas are decorated with paintings and have very comfortable sofas. The establishment is impeccably clean and the welcome is warm. The rooms are spacious and the bathrooms, entirely white, are very pleasant. Furthermore, the hotel is ideally located right in the city center. If you wish to visit a winery, you can come by car and park in the hotel parking lot; a space costs 20 euros. The staff is extremely kind and attentive. Only downside: the pillows are a bit dense and flat!