Hotel Ciudad de Ponferrada, Ascend Hotel Collection

The hotel is a modern and spacious establishment, often noted for its distinctive presence next to a tall, striking building, making it easily identifiable. It serves as an excellent base for business travelers seeking a quiet environment and travelers in transit due to its easy access and ample parking. Couples appreciate the comfortable and restful accommodations, while families find the large rooms suitable for their needs, though some group dining experiences have been challenging. Guests consistently highlight the hotel's cleanliness and the attentiveness of its staff. To enhance your stay, it is advisable to verify the functionality of in-room amenities like air conditioning upon arrival, especially during warmer periods. Additionally, while the hotel offers a tranquil setting, guests should be mindful of its distance from the city center and plan transportation accordingly, perhaps utilizing the nearby bus service.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel features modern facilities that are generally well-maintained. Guests appreciate the spaciousness of the common areas and rooms. However, feedback on in-room amenities is mixed. The television often receives criticism for being outdated, lacking smart TV capabilities, having poor signal quality, and requiring two remotes, which some guests found cumbersome. The air conditioning is a frequent point of concern, with many reporting it as ineffective or not working, leading to uncomfortable temperatures, particularly during warmer months. Similarly, the refrigerator or minibar in rooms is often noted as not cooling properly or being empty. While the hotel offers Wi-Fi, some guests experienced connectivity issues. The hair dryer is described as being a bit weak. Despite these points, the overall impression of the hotel's general facilities is positive, emphasizing its modern design and spaciousness.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the hotel's high standards of cleanliness throughout the property and within the rooms. The rooms are generally described as spacious, modern, and functional, providing a comfortable stay. However, opinions on bed comfort vary significantly; while many guests found the beds to be large and comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, some reported them as being too hard or having noticeable springs, leading to discomfort. Pillows were occasionally described as thin. The bathrooms are noted for being spacious and well-equipped, though some guests mentioned the shower can splash significantly, and issues like a broken toilet lid or a lack of bidet towels were occasionally reported. Noise levels are typically low, contributing to a quiet environment, although isolated incidents of noise from other guests or heating systems were mentioned. Some guests also noted that towels were small or not consistently replaced during longer stays, and the provided shampoo/gel was often insufficient.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback regarding the hotel's dining options and food quality is quite varied. The breakfast buffet is often described as varied and complete, with many guests enjoying the selection. However, some found it to be expensive for the offerings, noting a lack of variety or issues with items not being replenished. For lunch and dinner, experiences differ greatly. While some guests praised the restaurant food as well-cooked, abundant, and offering good value, others, particularly those traveling in groups, reported poor quality, scarce portions, and a lack of variety, sometimes being limited to a single menu. There were significant concerns from group travelers about being seated in separate areas, experiencing slow service due to insufficient staff, and even witnessing unhygienic behavior from other large groups at the buffet. The cafeteria is noted for its good quality-price ratio, though some guests found its opening hours restrictive, with food service only starting later in the evening.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel is situated in a new and quiet area, offering easy access to major roads and the motorway, making it convenient for travelers by car. While it is not in the city center, which is typically a 20 to 30-minute walk or a 5-minute drive away, its location provides a tranquil environment. A significant advantage is the ease of parking, with ample free street parking available nearby. The hotel also offers secure underground parking, which is appreciated by guests, including those with motorcycles, though some noted it can be an additional cost. The hotel's proximity to a large shopping center and various restaurants and cafeterias is a positive aspect, providing convenient options for guests. A bus stop is located close by, offering a circular route to the historic center, though some guests found the bus schedule to be unreliable.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Guests frequently highlight the attentive service provided by reception, dining, and cleaning personnel. The check-in process is described as quick and efficient, with staff being accommodating to requests, such as storing bicycles for pilgrims or assisting with luggage issues. Many reviews specifically commend individual staff members for their exceptional demeanor and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. The overall impression is that the staff are dedicated to providing excellent service, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience. Their proactive approach and pleasant interactions are a recurring theme, making guests feel welcomed and well-cared for throughout their visit.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of certain hotel policies that have impacted some stays. The cancellation policy is noted as being strict, with some guests reporting being charged the full amount for late cancellations. There have been specific issues reported by organized groups, including being seated in separate dining areas, experiencing poor food quality, and in isolated cases, even encountering a rodent in the dining hall, with some groups also reporting difficulty in obtaining complaint forms. Additionally, some guests were informed that breakfast could not be accessed after check-out, even if they were willing to pay. While the hotel offers underground parking, it is important to note that it may incur an additional charge, despite ample free street parking being available in the vicinity.