This is a tired looking hotel and while it may have had its former glory, it has past that glorious era.

Reception:
Checking in at Carmen was okay. The reception took a long time to return our passport after check-in as they need to key-in the details into the computer. However, they were conscientious in booking a cab for our departure to the airport.

Room:
Below expectations of a 4 star hotel. The room was pretty spacious though. First, the toilet bowl had come off its base and could move and raise when transferring weight on the bowl. The exhaust fan in the toilet was not working, so we had to open the small window and let the cold air in. There was no heating facility in the toilet as far as I recall. The shower head was leaking from all sides, so while there is water from the nozzles, water was spraying also from the sides, which is not good, as it feel like a burst pipe.

External Facility - Terrace:
We booked this place because of the terrace which could oversee the city view as well as as a view of the Alhambra. However, we found out that the terrace is closed (as published in the information sheet in the room) from October onwards, during the winter months. That was a huge let down for the friends who wanted to go to the terrace for a nice evening in the open air.

Breakfast:
Breakfast was good. The variety of food was reasonably good, and quality was acceptable. The service staff were helpful and professional, and while I was there, they broken a tray of utensil and had to clean up the floor. Other than that, breakfast went well. We had 2 days of breakfast.

Location:
Pretty good. It was very easy to walk to the El Corte Ingles mall as it is just opposite the hotel. It was close enough to walk to other shops such as Pull and Bear, Zara, and the likes with a 10 min leisurely walk - just turn left from the entrance and walk. There is a 2-min walk tapa shop - just turn right from entrance and walk. Also, there are a few cafes on the left selling bread, cakes and coffee.

Being a well traveled tourist, I would say that this hotel is not worthy of the 4 stars rating. The general feel of the place is that of a 3 stars, and some of the 3 stars I have been to outperforms it in some aspects, such as the toilet. I am tempted to give "Poor" rating, but maybe it was just my room, so for the benefit of the doubt, I have given an "Average" rating instead.