Hotel Real Colegiata San Isidoro

Am still staying here, so maybe a bit premature, but I doubt my observations will change. On the upside: beautiful building and courtyard, receptionists friendly, one with very good English and helpful the other almost none but still tried to help, so muchos gracias. Excellent location, close to the centre but a little more quiet. Now the bad news. The aircon doesn't work. At all. And they gave up fixing it. They don't seem to understand a double room. We had 2 small double beds, each not big enough for two, but occupying almost all the room space, nowhere to relax. And we were supposedly in the superior room. No coffee, no tea. Do they do room service? I very much doubt it. It's a place that echoes a fair bit so can be noisy inside. Worst part is we came back from dinner elsewhere to have dessert here, with a glass of dessert wine, to enjoy in their lovely courtyard. First problem, no dessert wine. Seriously, in Spain? This was easily fixed by a trip to the bar 50m away who were OK with us taking glasses back. Next problem, unbelievably, we were told we were not allowed to sit in the courtyard. Apparently because it might encourage other people to want to do likewise on this beautiful May evening! Mmm, can't be having people doing what they want to do, can we, in a hotel..? And that was all after waiting way too long for someone to even bother to come to take our order. This place has to be government owned. They wouldn't understand hospitality if it bit them on the nose. It is run for their convenience, not yours, even if a few of the staff try. Maybe this will align with you, and you will enjoy it. For me, I can't stand this sort of non customer friendly attitude, when Spain and Portugal especially is full of places that do the exact opposite.

This hotel was once a convent and is behind the Basillica in the old town. We booked a larger room which we found is in the renovated part of the hotel and furthest from the reception. When we checked in they said there was a dinner tonight in the courtyard accompanied by a singer, which we booked. Our room was very large, spacious and looked very new. However no fridge, no tea or coffee facility and 1 small bottle of water (our booking did say 2 guests). After walking around this cute town we wanted a shower. No hot water. Rang reception and we understood had to wait 15 minutes. After running the water for close to 30 minutes still only cold water. Rang reception- no answer. So I had a cold shower and popped down to reception. They came to our room, ran the water for another 15 minutes and in Spanish said it takes 10-15 minutes for the hot water to get to the room. (Given we’d been running it much longer, not true). Had a very nice dinner with wine in the courtyard, thoroughly enjoyed it. However if you weren’t attending and had a courtyard facing room you would have been disturbed. Next morning, instant hot water!

The hotel has been converted from an old convent adjacent to the basilica and set around a courtyard with a fountain. It is an extremely attractive setting and one can park in the hotel’s adjacent area. However there I’m afraid the praise stops. At €212 per night b&b this is twice the average which we have paid for the last six hotels all of which had better equipped bedrooms. Our ‘superior’ double room was equipped with two paper mugs and no glasses. We asked for glasses at reception (correct but frosty) and were told that all rooms were like this as it was easier to clean! The bathroom had no shelves or storage. Bathrobes – forget it! No electric socket at the level of the desk. A single armchair when there was plenty of room for two. Breakfast adequate, but charmless staff. At €112 for b&b this would have been fine but at €212 the place is living off its location rather than hospitality.

We enjoyed our one night stay in this beautiful old building. The hotel was a fantastic mix of classic old building and modern, comfortable room. The staff were very helpful. Get directions for the parking before you bring your car. With directions the parking is easy to find, and is next door to the hotel gate. We didn't eat at the restaurant, but had a nice coffee and cakes in the morning before we left. The location is very central and within walking distance to many sites and restaurants.