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Help ! Need suggestions for hotel in San Sebastion Spain

Help ! Need suggestions for hotel in San Sebastion Spain

Old Oct 22nd, 2011, 07:48 AM
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Help ! Need suggestions for hotel in San Sebastion Spain

I have finalized all my plans for my SPRING 2012 trip to Spain and France except for hotel in San Sebastion. I will be staying at Room Mate Alicia in Madrid, Hotel Miro in Bilbao and have rented apartments for my stays in Paris and Nice.
My only problem seems to be where to stay in San Sebastion. I am traveling alone and would like to spend under 125 euros a night. I am only using public transportation and would like to be able to walk to restaurants, beaches etc.
Advice from this wonderful forum helped me in the above hotels so any other advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2011, 08:09 AM
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What are your dates in Donostia in the spring of 2012? It will make a difference regarding your budget.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2011, 08:26 AM
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I will be arriving May 1 and departing May 4
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Old Oct 22nd, 2011, 09:02 AM
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I've stayed at the Hotel Parma (www.hotelparma.com) twice. Pluses are location at the edge of the old town and across from one of the beaches, and the hotel is very clean and the staff helpful.

On the downside, the ground-floor rooms are actually about 5 steps below ground level and only have small transom-like windows, very dark. The area is noisy if the windows are open.

The first-floor rooms are much, much better. High season, the first floor rooms (doubles) are around 155€. The rates aren't posted on the web site, if you inquire, ask for any special offers.

Finally, the breakfast is, imo, too expensive. There are lots of cafes in the area with great coffee and pastries.

Someone recently posted another recommendation for a hotel near La Concha, Hotel Niza, I think. Location also excellent.

BTW, Atari is a great tapas bar/ restaurant in the old town, maybe 5-10 min walk from the Parma. Very friendly.

Someone
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Old Oct 22nd, 2011, 02:58 PM
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I had a nice stay at the Hotel Arrizul in the Gros neighborood last May. It's directly across from the Zurriola Beach and a short walk across the river to the Old Town. It's basic but clean and the staff was friendly. We definitely paid less than 150e for a twin.

I also loved Atari!
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Old Oct 23rd, 2011, 03:14 AM
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Pension Alemana is basic hotel standard, great value and the best location. 50 meters from the beautiful La Concha beach promenade where you find both Hotel Niza and Hotel Londres. Alemana is as central as it gets and a five minutes walk to the famous Parte vieja/Old town. http://www.hostalalemana.com/

All about going for pintxos in food crazy San Sebastián: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en
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Old Oct 23rd, 2011, 04:20 AM
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We stayed at the Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterre a few years back. It is right on the water in San Sebastian, and the view over the bay is wonderful. I believe we paid a bit more than 125 euros for the ocean view, but the street view rooms are less than 125. Some parts of the hotel looked like they could use a little pick-me-up, but it was clean and comfortable. A nice touch: the ceiling of our room was painted with clouds.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2011, 04:53 AM
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Hotel Husa Jauregui
Good personal experience in past
$79/nt nice 5 minute walk to beach

booking.com otel.com others..

Happy planning!
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Old Oct 23rd, 2011, 10:50 AM
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Pension Bellas Artes.Incredibly nice family.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2011, 02:01 PM
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Based on where you are staying in Bilbao and Madrid, you can check out the Hotel Astoria7. It's within your budget and is a great hotel. The Niza is nice enough, but since they will not guarantee a sea view room, I would skip it.

The Hotel Jauregui is in Hondarribia, not San Sebastian-Donostia, but the Londres is within your budget (plaza view rooms).

The Hotel Gran Bahía Bernardo is also within your budget. It's located near Kursaal Center. It's expensive for a 2-star property, but you might like it.
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Old Feb 6th, 2012, 05:40 AM
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A belated thanks to all.
Decided on the Hotel de Londres seemed to fit all my requirements.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2012, 05:38 AM
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If you're looking for something even cheaper Pension Amaiur in the old town seems to be really great. Good reviews on TripAdvisor, and about €35-50/night. (I booked this place for my trip in the summer)

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Revi...e_Country.html

http://www.pensionamaiur.com/tarifas.html
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Old Mar 2nd, 2012, 06:22 AM
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I spent alot of time researching hotels for San Seb. and also decided on Hotel Londres, NOT a sea view. Sure the sea view would be nicer but I really liked the location of the hotel, some of the other nice options seemed too far out. I have read that the hotel is recently (or in the process) of being redecorated - that should take care of the "tired" comments. We will be there near the end of May - hope you have a pleasant time!
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Old Mar 2nd, 2012, 06:36 AM
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jomagpie,

Have stayed in several great and very friendly Pensiones/Hostales in the Parte Vieja/Old town, and Amaiur seems to be no excpetion.

Just be aware that Calle 31 de Agosto is very busy although there's no traffic (several fabulous pintxos bars/restaurants here), and most important, you are next door to the Sta. María church, so there will be loud bells ringing 24/7. Could take a couple of days to get used to.

The church itself is really wonderful, and there are often concerts in here.

Calle 31 de Agosto was the only street standing after the city was sat on fire by British and Portuguese troops when they attacked the occypying French on 31st of August 1813, killing around 1000 inhabitants (out of a city of then 9000). The tragedy is remebered every 31. of August in a true Donostiarra spirit. (Donostia is the Basque name of the city):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BqCwxn17KE
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Old Mar 2nd, 2012, 07:08 AM
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Stayed at Hotel Niza a couple of years ago. Great location and very nicely furnished, but they led us to believe that we had reserved a room with a seaview. When we arrived we were told that no seaview rooms were available - they had been booked a year in advance by guests who stay there every year. Fine - but had we known that we would have booked somewhere else. We felt that it was sharp practice and would not stay there again.

Breakfast at the time was extra, at €10pp - a rip-off IMO. It was very easy to find a bakery nearby that also served coffee.

We loved San Sebastian - but it ruined tapas for me forever. Now if we go to a tapas restaurant, no matter how good, we always say "Nice, but not as good as SS". Be warned ;-)
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Old Mar 2nd, 2012, 07:21 AM
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@Kimhe - thanks for the info! No one on TA seemed to talk about this so hopefully it's not too much of a prob or I'll just get some ear plugs

Is La Cuchara San Telmo around the corner from there?
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Old Mar 2nd, 2012, 08:25 AM
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Yes, La Cuchara de San Telmo is just around the corner. Fabulous place.

Also innovative gourmet pintxos at A Fuego Negro, in nr. 31, just by the hotel.

For an affordable and friendly taste of traditional food, I love Restaurante La Cueva, just around the corner on tiny Plaza de la Trinidad. http://www.restaurantelacueva.org/index_ingles.htm

La Cepa a little further down the street is an institution in town. The Jamón ibérico (cured ham from Jabugo) is the best in the world. A must! http://www.barlacepa.com/

And remember, the Parte vieja is very small, and just made for bar hopping. Do as the locals and have a pintxo and a glass (perhaps the local dry white Txakolí) at each place, the so called txikiteo. Go with the flow, you can't do much wrong here. http://www.itsallfare.com/2010/08/sa...-txikiteo.html

Remember to ask for the warm house specialities, directly from the kitchen and some 2€ on average. All about going for pintxos in San Sebastián: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

And most restaurants serve up a delicious three course lunch with drinks included for some 15€ (from about 1.30pm). Even more affordable options in less tourist heavy areas, such as Gros and Antiguo.

Gros is just across the city river Urumea, a five-ten min walk from the Old town/Parte vieja.

The lovely Antiguo area is a 20-25 min walk along the famous La Concha Beach promenade, or just hop on one of the frequent local buses. Several local atmosphere places in Calle Matia with three course lunch for less than 10€.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2012, 08:55 AM
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Much thanks.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2012, 10:51 AM
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Here are some of the places in Calle Matia in the Antiguo area. You should at least have a look out here. Close to the fabulous Ondarreta beach:

Anzara in n. 14: http://www.todopintxos.com/bares/bar...7&do=vista_bar

Bodega Donostiarra in n. 36. Menu del Dia 9€.

Kalaberri in n. 50.

Platero in n. 33, had a great meal here a couple of years ago.
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