Hotel Annex - Rey Don Jaime I

It’s fine for a budget stay. The hotel was clean, but dingy. The beds were comfortable. The hot water in the shower is very erratic and the shower does get water everywhere. There is also an awful sewage/sulfur smell that randomly appeared throughout our stay. The real saving grace is the price in relation to the location. We were able to get anywhere in the city on foot or via public transportation and that’s why the stay was worth it. Definitely a “you get what you pay for” hotel.

With an evening flight for arrival, we were required to notify the 'reception' of this 'hotel' of our estimated time of arrival. Which we did. The response was a phone number and the cryptic remark 'airport arrive'. We interpreted this as the English sentence "Once you've arrived at the airport, it would be great if you contact us, so we know we can expect you. We could even give you some tips on how to reach us, since arriving at a foreign city can be a bit hectic. Thank you in advance".

After landing, we proceeded to the train station to buy a ticket downtown and simultaneously informed the hotel of our arrival. First response was a kind travel tip to take a taxi, because the guy manning the 'reception' did not want to wait until we would arrive at the time we informed the 'hotel' in advance of our trip. We informed our friendly and helpful contact that we'd already bought a train ticket and where on our way. We'd do our best to hurry. (Don't know why you'd try to hurry to this 'hotel' though.)

We where given a challenge: "Arrive in 40 minutes or I'll be gone." Lovely! We're always up for adventure!

The 'receptionist' did not respond to any texts after this challenge, so we were extremely relaxed by the time we approached the street were the 'hotel' is located.

Turns out, we were 'lucky' winners! We just caught the 'receptionist' locking up, and indeed, leaving! Yay! Now we get to stay in this inhospitable place!

His first remark wasn't to congratulate us with competing the gauntlet, but to actually blame us for him having to work so late he missed his train! We were baffled. And also petty tired, so why not please show us to our room kind sir?

He showed us in: the entrance is a stairwell with an elevator. We were ushered into the cramped elevator and got up to the floor of the apartment building that houses the 'hotel'. My wife had to ask for her passport to be returned from the 'office', we were given the explanation that it is hard work if you manage a 'hotel' and guests keep arriving at ill suited times. These guest are responsible for making you work long hours. So yeah, friendly staff. Always a plus feeling welcome at your accommodation.

We were shown our room: two separate beds (we're married for 4 years), a bathroom, a nice inward facing window and little room to store our stuff. It's a good thing we only brought carry on luggage then.

Walls are paper thin, there's a continuous symphony of running water through the walls, with the occasional flushing crescendo, and a functional, yet noisy air conditioning unit. Oh, and at least at night, when you'd want to wash away your travel woes, no hot water. Not warm water either.

We we're told there's no housekeeping and checkout at 11 am, but if nobody is manning the 'reception', just leave the key in the room and be done with it.

One star for the location. Beds were fine. Wouldn't recommend this. Please spend your money on an actual hotel.