Plaza Alfonso El Magnanimo, Puerta 2, Valencia, Spain | (541) 362-3741
Prime Ciutat Vella location near attractions, restaurants, and bars
A short five-minute walk from Colon metro station
Period building with cage elevator, molding, and marble floors
Charming rooms mix antique and modern decor
All rooms have flat-screen TVs, AC, and writing desks
Most rooms have Nespresso machines and mini-fridges
Children 3 and under stay free
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Despite the name, no on-site breakfast served
Little in the way of on-site features or common space
Some rooms face a dark interior with no external views
Some noise in street-facing rooms
Reception isn't 24-hours
No parking (and street parking is expensive)
B&B Hi Valencia Boutique has a great location right in Valencia's Ciutat Vella (Old City) surrounded by attractions, restaurants, bars, and shops. Despite the name, it's not a traditional bed-and-breakfast, and there are no common areas apart from a small reception room. (Most guests obtain breakfast at a coffee shop across the street for a fee.) The 11 elegantly decorated rooms are on the small side, but they are equipped with flat-screen TVs and modern bathrooms. Most have Nespresso machines and mini-fridges, too, although some lack external views. It's worth comparison shopping with hotels in the same neighborhood; the Kasa Katia Guest House, on a pedestrianized street, offers an on-site breakfast, for a fee.
Scene
Charming guest house located in a mixed-use building
The charming B&B Hi Valencia Boutique is a small guest house tucked inside an eight-story building that's shared by private residences and offices. Past a front door laced with wrought-iron, the black marble foyer hints at the buildings history. However, while period details abound, there are a few spots that are showing their age. An open staircase here rises up to a small mezzanine with an ornate cage elevator. There's no common area beyond the property's small lobby, where a leather Chesterfield sofa sits opposite a white-paneled reception desk in an attractive but windowless interior room with wood floors. Because it lacks gathering points, the hotel is quiet throughout. Overall, the Hi Valencia is a popular spot for couples and solo travelers looking for an affordable home base in the city center.
Location
In Ciutat Vella, close to restaurants, bars, and attractions
This guest house is centrally located in Valencia's historic district, the Ciutat Vella. It sits on Calle de Pau, a main avenue of the city, right across from Plaza Alfonso el Magnánimo Plaza, and it's a short walk from the Plaza Porta de la Mar and Paseo de la Ciudadela. All manner of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars can be found throughout the neighborhood. It's a five-minute walk to the stunning Palacio dl Marques de Dos Aguas, and less than a 10-minute walk to the bustling Central Market. Other attractions within walking distance include the Gothic Catedral de Valencia and the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados (Our Lady of the Forsaken), which is seven minutes and nine minutes away, respectively. The Colon Metro station is a five-minute walk from the hotel for farther flung destinations. The famed City of Arts and Sciences can be reached in 10 minutes by car or 20 minutes by public transportation. Expect a 15-minute drive to reach the beach. The Valencia Airport is 15 to 20 minutes away by car, or 30 minutes by public transportation.
Rooms
Small but quaint rooms with flat-screen TVs and antique details
Guest rooms are nothing extravagant, but their blend of old and new antique and contemporary furnishings gives them ample charm. Crown molding and hardwood floors also dress up the neutral walls, and arched doorways emphasize the building's history. Furniture varies in each room, but all have a mismatched style where old wooden writing desks might be paired with transparent acrylic chairs. Double or king beds are backed with padded headboards or swaths of colorful wallpaper. Note that standard rooms are small, and some lack views facing a dark interior light well, while upgraded rooms have street-facing rooms. Free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs are standard, and most rooms have Nespresso machines along with mini-fridges, too. Throughout, streamlined modern bathrooms have heated towel racks, walk-in showers, and hairdryers.
Features
Luggage storage, free stays for children under three
For a mid-range property, Hi Valencia offers the absolute minimum when it comes to on-site features. While its B&B title could suggest the property provides breakfast service, there are no meals offered here in the morning -- or otherwise. (A nearby coffee shop serves as the usual breakfast pit-stop for guests, though this is an out-of-pocket expense.) Reception also operates during limited hours. Apart from that, the hotel does offer luggage storage room, free Wi-Fi, and free stays for kids under 3 years old.