Playa

23-25/1/19 We three British middle aged guys were on our last stop in the south before returning to BA for a week (then off home after a month total). We arrived on a Wednesday afternoon to be greeted efficiently by the receptionist who sorted the check in with our friend whilst two of us slumped in the large dining room/lounge with lots of sockets for plugging in devices. Our friend was given the keys to 102, along the corridor to the rear. We went to the room to find that it was overlooking a wall and alley, not a 'landmark view' as described by B.com when we booked ahead. We were all quite annoyed as we had been looking forward to a sea view, as only staying on any beachfront for a few days. My friend chased it up with B.c.. I shall describe the hotel in Good, Indifferent and Bad terms: Good Room Fitted cupboard had six coat hangers (more than usual so considered good for a triple room!) Showerroom Sink was medium size but had a mirror over it with three bright lights over that as well as a pull out concave mirror for shaving etc. The water pressure and tap design was good for jetting razors out. There were two hooks, a towel rail, electric point and a lined bin (only one in the room) which was emptied by housekeeping after the first day. Breakfast was quite good with savoury options at last (albeit just toast, package liquid cheese, plastic cheese and ham. Fruit, cornflakes, frosties, strawberry and plain yoghurt, iced orange juice/strong squash, sweet and plain (hurrah) medialunas, cakes, shortbread biscuits, packets of dolce de lecce and butter. Coffee and hot milk in big urns and squeezy hot water dispensers for tea bags. The view was of the beach and pier across the busy road. Housekeeping We were only staying two nights but the staff popped in whilst we were away to refresh the towels and make the beds (we usually ask reception not to as we are happy to stretch towels out and make our own beds). My friend also does not like strangers in the room, including handimen repairing toilets. Indifferent Room Beds were a bit lumpy but we slept fine. Only one bedside lamp between two of the beds. The floor was carpeted which means it needs vacuuming to clean it. On our departure I heard a vacuum cleaner, our first ever encounter with one in Argentina (but we are on a budget!). The floor was clean. There were just enough electric sockets by each bed but in tricky places requiring adapters. No A/C or fan but a central vent (A/C system) kept the room cool, although it was already in an alleyway out of the sun. Showerroom Ageing enamel tray which was no problem, one of the doors was missing so water splashed into the toilet area, no problem either. A window into the alley was the ventilation. The toilet was in the corner, between the shower and bidet so a bit tight. Bad Wifi in the room was bad, despite strong signal. Maybe we should have asked for a reboot. Shower pressure was a bit weak and taps took a lot of turning to get water and a wait for hot water to feed through. The toilet cistern mechanism was broken so the top had to be taken off and the cord pulled by hand. No big deal for me but I let the receptionist know as we left after the second night. I hope it is fixed for the next guest. Overall the hotel was a good price by the beach, The problems with the room not having a landmark view were annoying but I popped out to Dazzler and their only triple room available the second night was nearly three times the price! The Hotel Playa is not a tower block, being only two stories high so only a few rooms face the sea, others the busy street and other internal ones the alleyway or a courtyard. It rained heavily one evening and the alleyway became a shallow river for an hour! When my friend went to pay the bill they only charged one night and did not charge for a twenty minute phone call to the airline to rebook a cancelled flight. That was very noble of them (or b.c?); thanks guys I am awarding 4/5 as it has issues, regardless, and is not perfect.