Hotel Gudamendi

This hotel offers a tranquil escape, distinguished by its spectacular views overlooking the ocean, bay, and city from its elevated hilltop location. Guests consistently highlight the hotel's serene atmosphere, its remarkable cleanliness, and the comfortable accommodations. The friendly and helpful staff also contribute significantly to a positive experience. This peaceful setting makes it an ideal choice for couples seeking a romantic and quiet retreat, as well as families who appreciate the spacious rooms, gardens, and pool area for children. Sightseers will find the panoramic vistas captivating, while motorcyclists benefit from the secure parking. For those prioritizing peace and quiet away from the city bustle, this hotel is a perfect fit. To make the most of your stay, consider requesting a room with a sea view for an even more breathtaking outlook, and be prepared for its remote location by either having a car or utilizing the convenient bus service.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently comment on the hotel's swimming pool, describing it as nice, big, and clean, offering a pleasant area for relaxation. However, some note that the pool area appears somewhat dated and could benefit from renovation, with mentions of it being unheated and lacking a dedicated lifeguard, requiring guests to sign in. The hotel's gardens are consistently praised as beautiful and well-maintained, providing a lovely space for a stroll and enjoying the views. In contrast, the fitness center receives overwhelmingly negative feedback; many guests report it is poorly equipped, not resembling a proper gym, and containing broken exercise equipment. The general condition of some public areas, such as the guttering and flooring, is described as tired and in need of investment. An elevator is available, adding to guest convenience.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the hotel for its exceptional cleanliness, describing rooms as spotless, very clean, and well-maintained. The rooms themselves are generally found to be comfortable, spacious, and of a decent size, ensuring a restful night's sleep. The beds are frequently highlighted as comfortable and soft, contributing to guest satisfaction. Towels are noted for being big, soft, fluffy, and clean. The bathrooms are typically spacious, featuring good hot water pressure and often a nice bathtub. Many rooms offer spectacular ocean views, significantly enhancing the guest experience, though some have a garden view. While some guests report issues with noise levels due to thin walls, hearing conversations or barking dogs, others describe the environment as quiet. An in-room fridge is a welcome amenity, though some guests noted a lack of basic items like tissues or water bottles.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on breakfast is mixed; most guests find it good to very good, appreciating the buffet with a lot of choices and the gorgeous view from the dining area. However, some describe it as nothing special, very average, or basic, with limited options like no granola or specific egg preparations. The restaurant and bar food also receive varied reviews. Many guests praise the bar food as simple yet perfect, and some highlight the high standard of dishes like salmon salad or calamari. Conversely, a significant number of guests find the evening menu choice small, uninteresting, or limited, noting a lack of traditional Spanish options and suggesting the offerings are not up to a four-star standard, often consisting of basic snacks or burgers. The coffee is generally well-regarded. While some bar staff are commended for being kind, fast, and efficient, other guests found cafeteria staff to be less polite or unwelcoming.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's hilltop location is a defining feature, offering a quiet, peaceful, and beautiful setting with spectacular views over the city, bay, and ocean. While this elevated position provides tranquility, it also means the hotel is somewhat out of the way and up a mountain, making city proximity a key consideration. Most guests find it a 10-15 minute drive to the city center or old town, though some noted a discrepancy with advertised distances. A car is highly recommended for convenience, as reaching town in the evenings without one can be challenging. Fortunately, there is free, secure, and ample parking available, particularly praised by motorcyclists. For those without a car, a bus service is available nearby, described as pretty frequent and accepting payment cards, with a bus stop about a 10-minute walk downhill. However, the bus service typically stops around 10 PM. Some guests experienced initial difficulty finding the hotel due to navigation issues.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel generally receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and accommodating nature. Many guests describe them as welcoming, kind, and super efficient, contributing significantly to a positive stay. The check-in process is frequently noted as fast and easy, setting a good tone upon arrival. Reception staff are highlighted for being very helpful and willing to assist with guest needs, including accommodating special requests. The bar staff, in particular, are often commended for their excellent and attentive service. However, feedback is not entirely uniform; some guests reported less positive interactions, specifically mentioning certain cafeteria staff as not polite or unwelcoming, and a few instances of rude barmen or aloofness. Despite these isolated comments, the overall sentiment is that the staff are dedicated to providing a pleasant and supportive experience for guests.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of the hotel's pet policy, which is generally pet-friendly and welcomes dogs for an additional fee. However, some guests found the guidelines quite strict, noting that dogs are not permitted to be left alone in rooms, and their presence in the dining room was sometimes problematic for other patrons. A recurring theme in reviews is the hotel's need for renovation; many areas, including public spaces and some outdoor features, are described as tired, outdated, or in need of significant upkeep to match a four-star standard. Some guests were disappointed by the pool closure on their arrival day, despite favorable weather. Specific in-room amenities like a kettle, coffee maker, or complimentary water bottles were noted as missing by some. Furthermore, a few guests expressed frustration over the lack of early morning access to the garden or pool areas, preventing them from enjoying the sunrise.