Hi Guys,
I am staying in San Sebastian with my girlfriend for a few days in June.
Looking at the prices, it looks like I can book a well-reviewed hotel room for the same price as a hostel that is not even a private room.
Are there any reasons why I should not pick the hotel, with its obvious advantages?

Thanks,

On the face of it, with no other information, it sounds as if the hotel is a better deal.

I've been to San Sebastiàn several times and would want to be in walking distance of the old town and the water if possible. That said, the bus system is good and the town very compact.

Depending on the source where you found the "well-reviewed" info, the content could have been highly manipulated in one way or another by people who didn't have to have stayed there. Cross check between many different sources. Read the fine prints carefully: where located, noise if it is important to you, cancellation policy, BF, etc.

I'm surprised you can get any decent hotels or hostels in June at this late stage. We're going to be there for five nights in June, booked months back, and most of the good hostels (or rather, pensions) were full even then.

Many of the hostales/pensiones are small and family-run hotel standard establishments with much more character and atmosphere than most hotels. Usually private bathroom, tv, A/C, safe, 24 desk etc. etc.

Some excellent places in the best location with reviews from people who have stayed there:

Pension Bellas Artes: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/pens...-artes.en.html

Pension Koxka: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/pension-koxkak.en.html

Hostal Alemana: http://www.hostalalemana.com/en/

Pension Aldamar: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/pension-aldamar.en.html

Hostal Bahía: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hostal-bahia.en.html

Pension Alameda: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/pension-alameda.en.html

And my personal favourite Chomín, stayed here several times:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/chomin.en.html

Lived in San Sebastián and visited every year since 1987, always stayed in hostales/pensiones.

Does anyone know anything about Pension Larrea?
There are not too many reviews on it, but the pictures and the reviews I have seen make it look pretty good and cozy.

http://www.pensionlarrea.com/

Have actually stayed in Larrea a couple of times when I was in my early twenties. Lovely couple who run the place, and I recognize the woman on the website. But this is a shared bathroom hostal.

Wow Kimhe,

Thanks for your response, and amazing how you have stayed at the place. Would you say that it was a great place(or as great as it looks and other reviewers have said)? Any downsides taht you noticed? We probably would be okay with shared bathrooms.

Just remember that the old quarter is very busy and noisy and Pension Larrea sits right in the middle of the action and doesn't look like it's changed much since Kimhe stayed there except for the internet access.

I liked it very much, but it's some twenty years ago. As Robert says right in the middle of the action and that suited me perfectly well. Friends have stayed there on my rec. two-three years ago and were very happy as they knew what to expect: Basic and friendly and perfect place to crash after a long night out in wonderful San Sebastián.

Pension Alameda worked very well for us.. 2 times ..Oct,2011 and then July,2012.. Wonderful location..good price and super host/hostess. Ped. street, quiet, clean..couldn't ask for more!! Deal directly after you check prices/availability on other websites. Often the persoanal touch works better.. They have their own website.

As I was leaving San Sebastian 7 years ago a woman approached me at the station offering her pension for the night. I was on my way to Lisbon but I went with her to have a look at her place. It was clean and big with a full shower and toilet. It is Pension Fanny, tel 943.421.128. Single €25, double €35. It's a 5 minute walk from the main train station. It might be worth a look.

Yes, and I'm sure you kept all of that information with you the past 7 years!

All while leaving on a train to Lisbon!

<i>Robert2533 on May 17, 13 at 12:04am
Yes, and I'm sure you kept all of that information with you the past 7 years!</i>

<i>THR on May 17, 13 at 5:25am
All while leaving on a train to Lisbon!</i>

I didn't expect to be attacked for reporting a small bit of info.

I keep a log of all my travels. My little logbooks go back decades and they are right here on my bookshelf. E.g., I can tell you what I had and what it cost for my lunch at the Stockholm train station on Monday, 21 August 1978.