Stayed for a night in the middle of the bull-running festival. I paid a reduced price of 170 AUD, 140US a night for one. Good value considering the other prices.

A clean comfortable hotel - not in the town centre but a 20minute walk to the activities. 20 minutes is not worth another 100 dollars.

I would however would recommend to bring just a backpack and book hotel accomodation only for every 2nd night. Time it right and get a shower every day.

The town is alive all night so security is no problem, and if you are young you can save a lot of money and lose not much comfort.

Pack a white shirt and pants and save on having to buy the overpriced festival uniforms (mandatory if you don't want to look like a dumb tourist).

STAY AWAY from the Hotel Castillo de Javier.

We stayed there for 3 days during San Fermin 2004. The cost of the room during the festival for was a massive £250 per night but it is standard practice for all hotels in Pamplona to increase their rates considerably during this week.

On arrival the receptionist was very helpful and desptite my complete lack of Spansish other than dos cerveza she checked me in, gave me a standard red neckerchief and a map of where the bull run would happen. She also advised that the hotel could get us tickets for a bull fight and a balcony to view the run if we wanted it.

Disapointingly despite paying all that cash for the room we were also charged 11 Euros for parking per night.

We obtained tickets for the Sunday evening through the hotel which were a massive 72 Euros each for a face value ticket of 16 Euros. Top tip is that after each fight the box office opens and sells spare tickets the following day we got better tickets for just 26 Euros directly from the box office.

One of the real plus points is that each day the Matadors who are fighting that evening come to the hotel for interviews and photographs the manager of the hotel made sure we got a good view. One evening we actually saw a couple before the fight dressed in their full togs who had been staying there.

Our room was somewhat of a dissapointment for the money paid. Whilst it was clean and modern it was very small and faced into an inner square which meant it had NO daylight which was quite depressing during the time we were there.

I also thought the hotel was just a bit too far out of town it took around 40 minutes to walk in. Whilst this meant you were staying in a quiet area it was just a bit too far out. Often we caught a taxi on the way home which was difficult to get.

Breakfast was a little bit of a let down but as I am of the full English brigade I usually find this in continental hotels.

The balcony hire to watch the run organised by the hotel was a big plus point. It cost 36 Euros for a large balcony with space for 6 people if you have the opportunity to do this go for it!

Last time I stayed at the Ac Circuid. This was a similar distance out but with a better room and a free minibar. I also prefered the food there.

However if you are going for San Fermin the Sancho Ramierez is the place to be as it seems to cater much better for those interested in the festival and what a bonus having Matadors in the hotel!!!