When I booked the Hotel Zaida I knew it would be very basic, which I didn't mind, because the hotel is in the heart of Seville. When I booked in and my room had a building site right outside my window, even that didn't bother me as well.

What did bother me, was the rooms may looked clean, but it wasn't. long black hairs all over the place, I have very short brown hair, so I knew they were not mine! There was a maid who came in and ment to clean the room, but for the week I was there all they seem to do is make the bed and refold the towels.

I was going to give the hotel 2 out od 5, but when I was checking out, they tried to con me out of 14 euros, by saying my deposit was a booking fee and not a deposit!! After 15 minutes debating this, they finally agreed to let me pay the correct price. This is why I have titled this review "Travellers beware", I am sure there are other cheap hotels nearby, where you wont get all these problems!!

Arrived and told hotel was fully booked. Much shrugging of shoulders and shuffling of papers and told same thing again and again as if that was end of story. I insisted fully booked not an excuse, we had booked and paid 5 months earlier. After many phone calls we were upgraded to a higher stars old Seville hotel around the corner. Looked very nice. Here many computer searches and phones calls. We were asked for payment as we had not paid. I showed the receipt. Many phone calls and computer searches we were told payment had not been put on system. We were then told room ready in ten minutes and someone would come for us. We were led out of this second hotel to third hotel. A modern hotel conversion that had opened 3 days earlier and we were the only people in it. It is totally modern, completely white and could have been anywhere in the world. It had no character or feel of Seville. Not one tile in the place. Stylish white stairwell and rooms that could have been a flat. Not bad if that's your thing but not what I had booked, a room in a hotel with character of Seville. It also only has street side rooms and leads to a busy square so you can kiss goodnight to any sleep before 4 am. So new it had no name or numbers on the doors. I told the manager we were not happy and we were told we did not need to stay there. We now had a choice, to accept the total opposite of what we wanted or walk the streets of Seville looking for a hotel. We went back to Zaida to complain. I asked to speak to the owner and a new receptionist said there is no point as they had the same problem the day before with Austrian tourists. Then a manager came and told me that the previous receptionist had not been telling the truth, the hotel was not full but all the electricity had gone in the hotel and they had to move all the guests and he would come and call us as soon as it was put on, maybe even that evening. Of course he never came. When I got back home there was an e-mail waiting for me from the booking agency to tell me that Zaida was upgrading, but I was already in spain when this was sent. I am asking the booking agency for a total refund and for compensation for this circus. A truly disappointing and frustrating fiasco. I didn't come to the home of flamenco and tapas to stay in a room that looked like a modern high-rise. If you don’t care where you stay and don’t mind paying twice book here otherwise give them a miss, look for somwhere you can trust.

We arrived mid afternoon of our two night stay. We had pre-booked two double rooms secured with a credit card three months beforehand. Upon arrival we were informed that they only had one of our two rooms available for us. When asked "why" we were told that it happens sometimes - not good enough when you are on holiday. We were then informed that they had two rooms at a sister hotel. But unfortunately this was not a such a quiet position and quite a march away. Had no choice but had to stay at this hotel instead.

We have been to Hotel Zaida during the weekend of May 1st. Therefore, the prices were higher than usual. However, it was worth it. The hotel has a great location, the rooms were clean and the atmosphere is special. Also the service was very good.
It is exactly what you need when you are on a city trip: low prices, proximity to the city centre and most important sight as well as functional rooms.
I would return any time!