HOTEL DOÑA CARLOTA - CIUDAD REAL

Doña Carlota Hotel could be considered as one of the best in the Castilian city of Ciudad Real. Doña Carlota Hotel could be considered as one of the best in the Castilian city of Ciudad Real. The city is well located on the High Speed line to Seville, and its size makes the hotel quite handy. It is within the University area. The modern façade welcomes and gives you the first impression of "Uff. I didn't make a mistake when booking it". However, the first impression stops there. The reception is rather bland and old fashioned. When asked about WIFI, they tell you it's 1 Euro per hour, which, I must say, it is rather cheap considering the fees around the world in hotels. But if you don't have a computer, you need to go... not to the Business Centre, but... the Cafeteria. Strange location!

The corridors are spartan and are without lights, waiting for the hosts to get in and automatically light them on. When you get to the room the first thought is: "Oh my God!” Where am I? Is it a 21st Century Hotel or one of those Don Quixote’s Inns?

The bathroom has really old ware, and also offers some soap, which in my case, had been open and used previously.

Breakfast was... poor in choice, but rather traditional. The "pain au chocolat" where immense and very good. Coffee was, on the contrary, rather bad. A choice of cheese, and garlic sausage, as well as minced tomato sauce, which I really liked on top of a toast. Yogurts ... doubtful! Orange juice... out of a bottle.
Doña Carlota Hotel, a 4 star hotel that should be reclassified. Staff was neither nice nor nasty. They were, basically. Foreigners may have problems, as receptionists’ knowledge of English is limited. Its 161 have air conditioning, satellite T.V. I am sorry, but if I have the choice, I would try to go to my favourite NH, which in the city is only a 3 star, but, so far, NH Hotels have not let me down so far.

Hotel Doña Carlota.
Ronda de Toledo
13003 Cuidad Real (Spain)
Tel: 926 23 16 10
Fax: 926 23 16 10

A JUMBO JET TURNED INTO A HOSTEL, IN STOCKHOLM ARLANDA

This is the first time I talk about a hotel I have never been... but I saw it and I couldn't help making a short article. The Jumbo Hostel is at Stockholm-Arlanda airport entrance and offers you an unforgetable experience. At least, it would be for me: To spend the night on board a genuine jumbo jet transformed into a hostel. Ok, you won't be flying, as the plane is retired from flying, but still, it would be worth it.

The Jumbo Hostel has a total of 72 rooms, divided into two- and three-person rooms and dormitories as well as a cockpit suite at the upper level of the plane.

In the café you can buy breakfast, take a coffee break and buy basic meals. It will also be possible to microwave food you have brought along. Which other hotel would allow you to do so?

Additionally, you can visit the Jumbo Hostel, even if you don’t spend the night. It even has a museum, so it becomes more than just a hotel...

Pricewise, it seems to be rather economical, for Sweden, I suppose... :=)

JUMBO HOSTEL

Jumbovägen 4

SE-190 47 Stockholm Arlanda

SWEDEN

Phone +46 (0)8-593 604 00

Fax +46 (0)8-593 604 11

E-mail reservation: booking@jumbohostel.com

GRAN HOTEL REY DON JAIME - CASTELLDEFELS (BARCELONA)

The most fashionable word nowadays is "CRISIS". You would expect that now, requirement for hotels has reduced, but, despite what they say, you still find it difficult to get a hotel in certain places. Barcelona, when there is a convention, getting a place to sleep seems to be extremely expensive. Hotels increase prices to limits that no sane person would normally pay... but, if there is a convention or an exhibition, you will find it difficult.

That is why, sometimes it is worth it to look in the outskirts. This would mean, normally, that you need a car to get to your final destination relatively easy.

In this situation, we can find the Gran Hotel Rey Don Jaime, a 4-star hotel in Castelldefels, in the outskirts of Barcelona (on the way to Sitges, 20 minutes from Barcelona and 10 minutes from El Prat airport). It is more economical than those you find in the city, but a car is essential, due to its location. It is far from the railway, far from the town, on top of the hill... far from... everywhere. Carpark is large and free of charge. The hotel was built in 1950, last reformed in 2008 and you would never think the hotel was nearly 60 years old. It looks really modern inside.

It is, however, a rather strange hotel. You access to it from the street level and, in my case, I had to go two floors down to my room. Rather strange... Don't you think?

The rooms are correct (220 all together). A big bed (and very comfy)with zillions of pillows is waiting for you. Ok, I exaggerated. 4 pillows only. Normally is quiet (there is nothing around that could be noisy... at the end of the day, you are on top of a hill, out in the countryside). Sleeping is easy. Still, if you want to use the TV, there are a few channels, but then you notice that they are pay TV... so, in the end, the choice is really reduced.

The bathroom is well equipped with soaps and other accessories. It is always good to get these things if you are coming just to stay overnight...

Breakfast is good... Could be better, as usual, but I think it is ok. Problem!!! The coffee comes out from a dispenser machine and it is really awful. Juices... so so. But there is plenty of food in the buffet to choose from. I am sure that you will not be hungry when you get out of it.

You should not miss the swimming pool either.

Staff are nice... when you get hold of them. Reception is open 24 hours but breakfast is very poorly served by staff.

Personally, I would opt for a different hotel in Barcelona, but as an emergency, and taking into consideration all these points, it is a nice place to stay... Don't expect a lively nightlife... There isn't any.

GRAN HOTEL REY DON JAIME

Avenida del Hotel,

22 08860 CASTELLDEFELS Barcelona (Spain)

Tel.: 936 651 300

Fax. 936 645 151

donjaime@grup-soteras.com

It is a SERCOTEL hotel.