I see the last reviews are some time ago, so here's an update.
This hotel is on the riverside, a little way out of the town centre. It's right opposite the catamaran that runs to Cadiz, making it convenient for day trips. A large public car park just across the road charges 1€ to park - this seems to cover you for a couple of days or more, you just have to pay each time you re-enter the car park.
It's a well run and comfortable hotel. The best outlook is at the front overlooking the river, but the inner rooms overlook a tiled courtyard which is quite pleasant and peaceful. The beds are comfortable (although on the firm side) and the bedding and towels good quality. There's TV (mostly Spanish, as youd'd expect), a hairdryer, good bedside lighting, but sadly no fridge, which is disappointing in a hotel of this standard. The decor is smart and fresh in a business-like way, apart from a few stains on our carpet. The fullly tiled bathroom had a shower in the bath, and a hairdryer. There's a room safe, free to use.
The rooms and corridors are carpeted, which makes the whole place much quieter than when everywhere is tiled. On the ground floor there's a pleasantly laid out area with sofas and low tables, where snacks and drinks are served, and the local papers are available. Breakfast is in the more formal dining room. It's a continental buffet, with a good choice of breads (and a toaster), cakes, cereals, boiled eggs, hot sausages, cold meats, cheese, yoghurt and fresh fruit. The fruit juices and coffee were quite drinkable, which isn't always the case at such buffets.
There is WiFi, but no computer for guests to use if they haven't got their own. (There is an internet place in town, tucked in a side street - ask at the tourist office).
The rooftop has a pool (we didn't try it, it's no fun in the rain with biting gales!) and great views out over the town.
The hotel was very quiet when we were there - no sign of package tours, and few tourists at all. It comes over as a little formal and business-oriented, offering conference facilites etc.
It's about ten minutes' walk to the town centre, although that is nothing remarkable. The bullring looks impressive but was closed for repairs. The shops don't amount to much, but there's a good selection of places to eat, and you can visit a sherry bodega and sample the produce.
Overall, we thought this hotel offered good value for money.
- Hotel Santa Maria
