I am generally not very critical and quite easily pleased when it comes to staying in hotels abroad. I have travelled worldwide and stayed in some absolute dumps quite happily. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy my stay here at the Ateneo as much as I would have like to.
Firstly, I would like to say the staff were absolutely wonderful - all spoke english and all were happy to offer me advice with anything I needed. Location is also very central (a min from puerta del sol or gran via). Rooms were comfortable and a good size, though quite basic. Breakfast was enjoyable, with scrambled or boiled eggs, ham and cheese, yoghurts and fruit.
However.. the noise levels are just atrocious.. I am pretty sure the windows are single glazed, and I havent stayed in a hotel with single glazing for as long as I can remember! The noise that was coming through was ridiculous - literally all day and night there are a variety of loud noises to keep you awake or simply unrelaxed and constantly disturbed. Also, the room was freeeezing (my stay was last weekend of october but weather was hot) but cold air was coming through the closed balcony doors. I moved room and this was the case in both rooms.
I had to get up at 5am this morning (monday) for my flight and the street was still buzzing with people coming back from parties, shouting and singing.. so if you are after a peaceful hotel please dont stay here! If you dont mind a bit of noise and want to be in the middle of the action then this will be perfect for you.
- Ateneo Puerta Del Sol Hotel
