Plaza Zaragoza 3, San Sebastian - Donostia, Spain | (888) 616-5829
Excellent location a block from beachfront promenade
Within walking distance of San Sebastian's Old Town
In-room Nespresso coffee machines are standard
Some rooms open to balconies overlooking leafy square
Breakfast room with reasonably priced continental buffet
Bicycles available to rent
Some rooms are tiny and many lack views
Some tube-style TVs in rooms
Limited public spaces and features
Breakfast not included
The Hotel Zaragoza Plaza is a budget property that occupies two floors of an apartment block overlooking a leafy square. The setting is the hotel's main draw, set just a block from San Sebastian's impressive beachfront promenade and a stroll from Old Town. Its 29 rooms are clean and pleasant -- some are undeniably tiny and others feature balconies -- all have Nespresso coffee machines. Rates can feel inflated over high season and facilities apart from a charged continental breakfast are limited, but for the location, this is still cheap. Real bargain-hunters should check out the Hotel Monte Ulia, though it's a bit out of town.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Clean and friendly budget hotel that occupies part of an apartment block
Occupying two floors of an an unremarkable red brick apartment building, the Hotel Zaragoza Plaza certainly looks like a budget-level property from the street. Stepping inside, interiors feel more up to date and with a slight contemporary polish and an impressive spiral staircase dominating the tiny reception area. In the hallways a garish green carpet jars with what is otherwise a tasteful mix of wood paneling and brushed steel. Besides a small windowless breakfast room, there's limited public areas and no outdoor space. The atmosphere, however, is friendly and the property is clean and generally well-maintained. Clientele lean towards vacationing and weekending couples, mostly from Britain and Spain.
Location
Prime location, minutes from the city's beachfront promenade
The hotel's forte is certainly its location, set overlooking a pleasant leafy square just a block from San Sebastian's impressive seafront promenade and wide sandy La Concha beach. As well as numerous shops and eateries in the surrounding area, the city's charming Old Town -- full of restaurants and a popular tourist spot -- is within 10 minutes on foot. At the far end of the Old Town is Mount Urgull, a popular hiking spot topped with a castle with superb sea-view panoramas. San Sebastian Cathedral is also just five minutes' walk away, while the pretty city hall gardens are the same distance. The Donostia train station is 10 minutes on foot. The closest airport is just outside Bilbao, at least an hours drive away.
Rooms
Simple air-conditioned rooms with Nespresso machines and minibars
The Hotel Zaragoza Plaza has just 29 rooms, sleeping between one and three guests and all decorated in a cheerful mix of simple modern furniture, green carpets, and colorful artwork. While some rooms open to small balconies overlooking the square, others look straight into an internal courtyard. At around 150 square feet (14 square meters) most rooms are small, but some barely provide enough space for suitcases. Amenities are quite impressive for a budget hotel and offer air-conditioning, minibars, flat-screen or tube-style TVs, and Nespresso coffee machines with free coffee capsules. The free Wi-Fi in the hotel's public areas reaches a few rooms, though with weak signal. Bathrooms are clean and functional. They show some signs of age, with shower/tub combos and wall-mounted hose hairdryers and soap/shampoo dispensers.
Features
Small breakfast room, free Wi-Fi, and bikes to rent
It's fair to expect a hotel at this level to have little in the way of facilities. The small dining room provides a continental breakfast buffet of the usual cold cuts, cheese, assorted breads, pastries, and juices. It's not included in the rate, though the spread is reasonably priced. There's also a small library with free Wi-Fi access, which is a little slow but good enough to send emails. Bicycles are also available to rent from the hotel.
