In Spain there are hostels and hostals; the latter is similar to a hotel or guest-house. A hostel (with an ”e”) is a youth hostel in anywhere, as I understand. Now we have that sorted-out, this review may help you to ‘get-over’ any perceived stigma or embarrassment about staying in a hostal (potentially assumed to be a cheaper and lesser standard of accommodation). Our hostal was on the Carabeo Road; a stones-throw from the cultural centre of Nerja (the Balcon de Europa). Unfortunately the hostal was also adjacent to a large open-area variously used for events, including the ‘Nerja Feria’; a festival which is held in early October. When we booked we hadn’t realized it was festival week. A few days before flying-out we were advised of the festival, and given the opportunity to cancel (much appreciated, thanks). The noise was truly horrific and lasted all afternoon, evening and all throughout the night until about 5am. It was virtually impossible to sleep at night; we had to use earplugs, or otherwise grin and bear the constant noise. This is not where you would stay during the festival unless you are extremely hard of hearing, or a heavy sleeper, or you are intending to attend the festival. That was the only seriously bad issue here, mostly it was otherwise good or very good. We booked a double room with en suite bathroom/WC. The bed (actually beds) however were two separately sheeted single beds pushed together. The Wi-Fi was inconsistent and failed at various times despite, we were told by the very kind and attentive management staff, a substantial investment in what appeared to be a Mesh or Wi-Fi booster system. The English speaking staff were in an office right next-door to our hostal, other hostals owned by Tre Soles (Three Suns) are also situated on the Carabeo Road. There are two more: one with smaller rooms ideal for shorter stays, and the other with, I understood, apartments with great sea-views. In our room the bathroom generally was great: the shower was fantastic, the plumbed-in hairdryer was excellent, but the bidet tap was a bit over-enthusiastic, the basin tap conversely was slow, and the sink plug was very difficult to remove: ideally it needs a chain (or maybe pliers should be provided). In the main room there was very efficient remotely operated air-conditioning, a remotely-operated TV with just local channels (very, very occasionally in English), a fridge (essential to keep drinking water cold; we drank 1.5 liters a day in our room), plenty of wardrobe and drawer space, there was also a desk and a bench-chair, plus bedside cabinets with table lamps, and an occasional comfortable armchair. The room was serviced every day to a high standard, but the air-conditioner, and the extractor fan in the bathroom, badly need to be cleaned. Direct access was possible from our room (No. 23) via French Windows to the back garden with patio tables, chairs and parasol provided. Other rooms had access to the back garden via a
Outstanding
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