I stayed at the California Hotel on New Years Eve of 2007 and again on 2009. Both times, on pleasure trips. Then I returned to the hotel once on a business trip. All times I got what I expected, flawlessly. No regrets at all.

The first times I stayed in the California, I was traveling with some friends from Buenos Aires, and we wanted to take some days off and spend New Years Eve in Montevideo, get to know the city and its beaches. We were looking for a budget hotel, clean, well located, which would include breakfast, and if possible also parking for our car, and a fridge in the room.

After researching almost all options Montevideo had to offer (from the Port till Carrasco), I picked up the California because it not only offered all the above, but also had the best rate (which included everything). It was summer time, and the fact that the rooms had air conditioners and fan ceiling was also very much appreciated.

At the times I stayed in the hotel, they had a promotion of 3 nights at the price of 2, which made it even more convenient. You should check if that is available right now too.

The California is located a block away from Av. 18 de Julio, which takes you straight into downtown (“Ciudad Vieja”), which is within walking distance from the hotel. Its location makes it easy to access the “Rambla Boulevard” at the coast. Its location is great for both business and pleasure (considering that hotels in Punta Carretas, Pocitos or further north will be more expensive).

There are many other hotels around the California, some are nicer and some are not. Some are more expensive and others are cheaper. As many readers point out, many hotels in the area are from the 70s, and many remain without much refurbishing. The California is not the exception. It offers standard rooms, and superior rooms. Right now (year 2011 & 2012) they are upgrading most of the rooms into superior rooms, and doing some refurbishing. So it can be useful now to book a room located as far away as possible from the noise.

We chose the standard rooms, since we were planning to be out of the hotel most of the time. The rooms were small, the TV was small and the cable did not offer many choices (which was something we did not care about). The bathrooms were always clean and fully funcional. The rooms were cleaned when we arrived, and were properly cleaned everyday afterwards. The air conditioners worked perfectly, as did the fan ceilings. We got great rest everynight.

The pictures on the website might correspond to superior rooms, or the newly refurbished rooms, because they do not look as the ones I used. But the ones I used were more than OK for me. However, the pictures might create expectations that might not be fullfilled upon arrival to a first-timer.

The corridors and the rooms were outdated and there was no fancy decoration, but who cares as long as you know what you are paying for, and what to expect from the money you pay? This is no thrills budget hotel. If more is expected, more has to be paid too. It was not my case, and I got plenty of the value I needed from my money.

As indicated, the rate included parking, which was and still is in a parking around the corner. The hotel holds the parking lots at the top floor of the parking, which has a small elevator for the drivers to go up and down. Be aware that driving into the parking can be a bit difficult if you have a large car. A pick up cannot make its way up in the parking at all. We had a medium car and had no problem. Check with the hotel if your car will be able to maneuver within the parking. It is not a nightmare to maneuver, but you have to drive 5 or 6 storeys up. The parking was included on the room rate.

Breakfast was served in the basement of the hotel, and it is self-service type. It was very abundant, and consisted in coffee, tea, milk, yogurt, cereal, toasts, croissant, pastry, eggs, and bacon. And it was included in the rate too.

The staff was helpful and warm, although not excessively. There is free fWiFi throughout the hotel, and there is a computer available for guests on the lobby, for free.

I was traveling with my male partner, and the staff did not care at all that it was two men sharing a double bed. That was nice.

Summarizing, this is a budget hotel, which includes on the rate things that other hotels charge separately, or they do not offer (the fridge). It has a superior location for business, and a convenient location for a pleasure trip. I will go back to the California any time.

We were in Montevideo for 3 days each time, and visited: Ciudad Vieja, Mercado del Puerto, Congreso, Barrio Reus, El Prado Park, Pocitos, Carrasco, Punta Carretas. Montevideo is a charming and cosy small city. The sunset over the sea can be spotted in Punta Carretas and Playa Ramirez. Not to be missed!