Some Logistical Stuff, Part Two: Hotels

I used booking.com for research, although I did book almost all the hotels directly once I knew what we wanted. We did check the Rick Steves guide for a few places, as some of the recommendations will give a “Rick Steves” discount (about 10%), and they are almost always centrally-located.

In San Sebastian/Donostia, we stayed at the Pension Sarriegi. This was a great location, walkable to everything, including the bus station. Modern room with fridge, overlooked a small square - which meant it could be noisy with the late night restaurant/bar crowd. It was noisy inside as well - you could hear all the doors to rooms in the central hall. No breakfast, but there was a coffee machine and hot water for tea. I booked this directly, €98/night. Staff spoke good English.

In Bilbao, we stayed at Hotel Bilbao Plaza. This was a great location along the river, walkable to the Guggenheim and Old Town and the train station (but required a taxi from the bus station - and that was an adventure. Short version: don’t follow the sign for taxis that requires you to wait at a door until a taxi shows up. Go out the station and follow signs to get a taxi on the street.) Room was very plain, but reasonably spacious and quiet, helped by the fact that it faced a funeral home - no late parties there lol. €107/night not including breakfast, and I did book this via booking.com - I think perhaps the hotel site did not offer any cancellation options. Breakfast was pretty good, for an extra €9 per person, but there wasn’t anything in the immediate area in the morning, so. Staff spoke excellent English.

We stayed at the Hotel Don Felipe in Segovia, and this may have been the nicest hotel of the trip. Also well-located just down the street from the cathedral and Plaza Mayor; also walkable to the castle and to the aquaduct. I booked this on booking.com as well, because you can’t book directly on the hotel website - you have to send them a message via the site. €121/night, but included an excellent breakfast. Room was spacious, but faced the street so there was some noise from tour groups during the day, which ended at about 6 pm when they all left. Staff spoke excellent English.

In Toledo, we stayed at La Posado de Manolo, which is around the block from the cathedral. The photo on their home page is the actual view from their rooftop terrace and breakfast room. €106/night, included a decent breakfast. This is the kind of place you just love to stay at - family-owned, Manolo used to be a vet and decided to buy his parents’ house and turn it into an inn. The three floors are themed - Christian, Jewish, Arabic - and the rooms are named and decorated after various trades. Ours was the Las Armoras (armorers), with swords and armor as the decor. Room itself was small, and bathroom had one of those capsule-type showers. So not our favorite room, but the inn was great. And across from the Museum of Cheese! Staff spoke very good English.

Our last stop was Madrid, where we stayed at the Petit Palace Puerta del Sol. This is a hotel chain, and the most expensive room of the trip at €209/night (hey, Madrid). Included breakfast which was totally amazing. Great location off the Puerta del Sol and the Sol metro stop. Walkable to Plaza Mayor and the palace; long walk - subway is a better option - to the Prado, Sofia Reina, Retiro park, etc. Room was modern, quiet and annoyingly hip (Towels monogrammed with “This is a towel,” coasters identified as “Coasters,” lined writing pad “Almost blank notepad,” etc.). Staff spoke excellent English.

All in all, very happy with our hotel choices.