Hotel Romantik di Cordoba

Spent 3 nights at this hotel which is rated as 5* - a rating I don’t have any issue with. The building exterior and interior are all architecturally ‘brutal’. All surfaces are manufactured from hard materials (tile, glass, steel) - the exterior is clad in rusted steel. This type of design appeals to me so I quite liked the fact that everything had an industrial, clean cut practical feel. Location wise it sits at the end of a long well maintained park/gardens with orange trees aplenty which stretch from the railway station to the hotel and which is bordered and truncated with main roads. The downside of this is that traffic noise is evident despite the rooms being well glazed etc. The rooms are well appointed and comfortable with jacuzzi bath, two showers, double basins and separate toilet/bidet. Very helpful staff, great facilities including a nice rooftop pool, bar and sunbathing area. Breakfast was really good and well organised and there is a large enclosed courtyard which is partially covered with seating. The hotel is located within a 10 minute stroll from all the main historic attractions and extensive number of restaurants and Tabernas. Have no hesitations in recommending this hotel and would return without doubt.

Está en una zona tranquila alejada del centro, pero se llega con rapidez en transporte público. De las dos habitaciones que hemos disfrutado, solo una tenía problemas de olor eb el inodoro, por lo que entiendo que debe ser algo puntual. La limpieza es correcta y el acceso para personas con discapacidad es bueno.

We had only one night to spend in Córdoba, so I wanted to be near the Mezquita and the old Roman bridge. The Hesperia fit that bill. We reserved a room with view. Unfortunately, trees blocked the view of the bridge from our room, but we still could see across the tree-filled riverbed to the Mezquita and past Córdoba to the mountains beyond. I am glad we requested the view room, despite the trees. I also enjoyed ”people-watching” from our room, as some tour buses dropped people off nearby, and we could watch people walk along the large pedestrian sidewalk opposite the street. We treated ourselves to some drinks at the rooftop bar in the evening, too, and the view from the bar was spectacular! The mojitos the bartender made for us were fresh and delicious as well. I especially enjoyed being able to walk across the Roman bridge to the Mezquita. Even in the rain, someone was playing music on the bridge, and a passerby in front of us started dancing. The next morning, I walked back to the bridge to visit the museum in the tower on our side of the river (which was well worth the small admission fee) and the bridge area was just delightful with music and so many people out enjoying the day. The breakfast we had included was quite good, with multiple stations of foods and beverages, including a peach juice which my daughter and I loved. The room itself was clean and in good shape, with a large window facing the river and town. It originally had 2 twin beds pushed beside each other, but when I sat on mine and leaned against the wall, the bed moved, so I realized it was on wheels and it was easy to move the beds apart from each other, which was nice. A kettle was provided, so we enjoyed some tea as well as some sodas we were able to keep cool in the mini fridge. The tub was pretty deep, so my daughter treated herself to a bath in it. Also, I was surprised to find a nice restaurant in the building next door to the Hesperia. So even though the Hesperia is not on the Mezquita side of the river, we did not have to go far for a nice meal out! All in all, I can recommend this hotel for the good service we received from the front desk workers, the bartender, the housekeepers, and breakfast people, as well as for its convenient location and views.

Fancy a tea or coffee when you wake up? You can't have one: No tea or coffee-making facilities in your room. A swim before breakfast in the lovely on-site outdoor pool? You can't have one. The pool doesn't open until 1130. Something to eat? The buffet breakfast spread was plentiful and varied, but staff couldn't keep up with replenishment. At supper in the evening the classic ”rice, pork, chicken and seasonal mushroom” wasn't to my taste. Sweet and tomato-ey, and the mushroom element was elusive. Perhaps it's meant to be like that. My companion was happy with his pork tenderloin on a bed of potato. Convenience dictated that we eat there a second time, and on that occasion my steak and his hake were excellent. There was, though, a huge amount of nonsense about our choice of wine, exactly the same Rioja Crianza, listed as the house red, as we'd had two nights earlier. Never before in my life have I known a server be so difficult, or one in an international hotel be prepared to speak neither English nor French. Be ready to be assertive, or perhaps just eat elsewhere! The room was good even if a little bit tired: spacious, clean, excellent bathroom, toiletries and towelage, huge well-linened bed. Gloomy, with only mood-lighting, so if you have senior eyes and need to read print or lace your shoes, use the bathroom! The public areas are pleasant and airy, the terraces and view delightful. Although it's in a very fine location, this particular parador is not itself one of the characterful heritage buildings for which the group is so well-known. Reception staff are knowledgeable and helpful, particularly in booking taxis. If you intend to use this hotel do check carefully meal and pool timetables. There IS an indoor pool and fitness centre available to guests, apparently year-round, but you have to book and then walk 300m offsite. And the outdoor pool is blissful: Above all, there is no piped music. Our three-night stay was intended to offer some relaxation and refreshment between sightseeing trips, but it didn't work entirely well for me. I had never stayed in a parador before and trusted the brand's reputation for excellence in all aspects of hospitality. Disappointing.