On our recent trip to Spain we made an unplanned overnight stop in Jaen without having reservations. The Europa, which was recommended by the guidebooks, was full and had really rude staff. So we took a chance and stayed overnight at the Infantina Cristina, which looked OK from the outside and was right off the main road in Jaen. I wasn't expecting much since we didn't know anything about this place. But the staff was very, very nice (considering we checked in at midnight). The hotel was very clean, beautifully furnished and and the rates were very reasonable. We couldn't have asked for a better place to stay.

We had a reservation at the Europa for 73 Euros, but we didn't like the room so the man at the Europa told us we should go the the Parador or Hotel Infantina Cristina. The Parador is located outside of town, and we didn't have a car, so we opted for the Infantina Cristina, which is a short bus or taxi ride from city center.

The hotel has a beautiful marble clad lobby, the rooms have all the comforts of a good four-star hotel, and the rate was little more than at the place we didn't want to stay (85 Euros).

We also had a most delicious 15 Euro "menu" in the dining room which included a bottle of wine and all sorts of little extras.

This is a very nice place. It was located near the Avis office where we picked up our car, but it was not in the very center of the down town area.