Review: ​Hospes Palacio De San Esteban , Salamanca, A Member Of Design Hotels

Review: ​Hospes Palacio De San Esteban , Salamanca, A Member Of Design Hotels

If you are looking for a quiet oasis to rest after all day of walking and sightseeing in Salamanca, Spain, ​Hospes Palacio De San Esteban, A Member Of Design Hotels ​is a great choice. It provides amazing value, no matter if you use rewards points or paying normal price, and the experience of staying at former monastery located in heart of historic Salamanca is priceless.

Pros: Great location (in the center of historic area), Atmosphere (quiet,cozy, former monastery), Great value.

Cons: Limited business facilities, small gym, crowded (small hotel is very popular with high end tours), Limited dining and bar choices, Small rooms. Poor recognition of Elite Rewards Status. I rate it 4.1/5.

Bottom line: Great for tourists and romantic getaways, short stays only. Amazing value, whether you use points or pay hotel rate.

Reservations

I used SPG.com website and booked Hospes Palacio De San Esteban Hotel using SPG rewards points, at rate of  7000 points per night. Average rate for this time of the year (mid April 2018) was around 150-200 euros plus tax. Either way, for its location alone, this is a great deal !!!! Booking process is always a breeze no matter if you are using a SPG.com or Marriott.com site in the future. Immediate email confirmation of points deduction and reservation arrived in my mailbox, and I was set.

Arrival

After arriving from Porto, Portugal, (3.5 hrs. picturesque drive), our driver, Igor Araujo with Porto Tours and Transfers,  dropped us off in front of the hotel lobby at 1pm.  We were so glad, that I found Igor: drive through hills and Douro valley dividing Portugal and Spain was magical, and we arrived rested and ready to conquer our first stop in Spain. Hiring a private transfer from Porto is a way to go.

Hotel arrival area is very small and there is limited place to stop a car and unpack, especially when other tourists are coming or going at the same time. As there are few high end properties within historic old town of Salamanca, ​Hospes Palacio De San Esteban Hotel is in high demand with tour operators. This fact makes its small lobby very crowded, upgrade difficult and service not what you would expect from the look of the property.

Check-in

Since there was a Viking Cruise tour checking in before us, our check in took longer than expected, upgrade availability was limited (upgraded to deluxe room) and no free breakfast for SPG Platinum member was offered. However, room was ready before 3pm official check in, so we decided not to wait for an overworked bellman, and took our suitcases to the room ourselves. After all, we were only staying here for one night, and our priority was to see Salamanca.

Room

Hospes Palacio De San Esteban Hotel is very charming and cozy. The fact that it was a medieval monastery makes it energy efficient and comfortable

in all seasons. Thick stone walls and small windows keep rooms cool in Summer and warm in Winter. In April, when we visited, there was no need for an air conditioner. Hallways are narrow, and ceiling is supported by thick wooden beams. Deluxe room has a comfortable king size bed, small seating area and to my surprise a huge bathroom with nice red tile. That was a best thing about our room, since after walking for miles through streets of Salamanca, a hot bath was great for sore muscles. If you are staying longer than 2-3 days, size of the room could be challenging, but for short stays that take you mostly out on the town, it is perfect.

Dining

There is a tiny bar are, and bartender has to come from the restaurant if hotel is busy to make you a drink. But place is pleasant and wines are good. Hospes Palacio De San Esteban Hotel has 2 restaurants, one small one outside, and larger one in cellars. Again, if larger tours are present, it can be very crowded and loud, but if no tour groups are eating, it is quite charming and romantic.

Spa and fitness.

Hospes Palacio De San Esteban Hotel offers massage and small workout room. Frankly, there is no real need for larger gym, as Salamanca is a gorgeous city offering plenty of walking. If you came to Salamanca or this hotel to use a gym, instead of taking a walk through medieval wonderland, you are in wrong place.

Services & Amenities Overview

BUSINESS SERVICES

● Copy/Faxing Service ● Business Services ● Copy/Printing Service ● Computer Workstations in Lobby

FAMILY ACTIVITIES & SERVICES

● Children’s Playground ● Game Room

GUEST SERVICES

● 24-Hour Front Desk ● Laundromat ● Tour Desk ● Elevators ● Ice Machine ● Luggage Storage ● Smoke Detectors ● Multilingual Staff ● Bellmen/Porters ● Ramp Access To Buildings ● Auto Link to Fire Station ● Safe Deposit Boxes ● Terrace ● Laundry/Valet Service ● Welcome Drinks ● Concierge Service ● Dry Cleaning Service ● Wheelchair Access ● 100% Non-Smoking Rooms and Facilities ● Fire Alarm With Light ● Emergency Evacuation Plan ● Emergency Lighting ● Security Cameras ● Sprinklers ● Defibrillator ● Air Conditioned Facilities ● Disability Accessible Facilities ● Automatic Fire Doors

RECREATION & ENTERTAINMENT

● Fitness Center ● Massage Treatments ● In-Room Massage Treatments
TRANSPORTATION
● Parking Available 12 EUR per day ● Airport Transportation (Charge) ● Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Check in: ​3:00 PM ​Check out: ​12:00 PM

Some of the services and facilities listed may not be available on a 24-hour basis or without advance request. Fees on certain facilities/services may apply.
In-room high speed internet access is FREE for SPG Platinum members.

 

Bottom Line

Great for tourists and romantic getaways, short stays only. Amazing value, whether you use points or pay hotel rate.

If you are looking for a quiet oasis to rest after all day of walking and sightseeing in Salamanca, Spain ​Hospes Palacio De San Esteban, A Member Of Design Hotels ​is a great choice. It provides amazing value, no matter if you use rewards points or paying normal price, and the experience of staying at former monastery located in heart of historic Salamanca is priceless.