Hostal Residencia Fornos

I booked a few days here after completing my Camino to Santiago. I'd been expecting some rough nights on the road, and just wanted somewhere cheap but comfortable to relax for my final few days. While relatively cheap, comfortable isn't a word I can honestly use of this place. Access was from the street next to a shop, usually with drunks and/or beggars sitting on the kerb at all hours, an apartment door that didn't lock without a good deal of persuasion, a room considerably smaller than the photos made it look, a bed that smelt damp and musty, a cockroach in the shower, the shower door jammed one morning and I didn't think I was going to get out, if I opened the window I was assailed by noise from the building opposite (almost touchable out the bedroom window). I didn't feel unsafe as such, nothing much fazes me after years of travelling alone, but with people upstairs who spent most of the night either arguing or dragging furniture about, I have to say I came home and fell into my own bed with a palpable sense of relief. I can't fault the staff, who were nice and welcoming, nor the location - only a few minutes walk from the start of the old mediaeval bit of Santiago with bars, restaurants etc easily on hand (do check out Malak on Rua Orfeo for excellent veggie food) - and I applaud the photographer they used to make this place look as nice as it does; he deserves awards. This hotel, however, does not.

1. wi-fi did not work in the room even though they said it did - had to sit in lobby to use wi-fi 2. No bath mat for the tub which was very slippery - could have easily fallen - no safety bar 3. Water temperature would go from very hot to very cold within seconds - made the slippery tub even more hazardous 4. The reception desk is on the third floor - you don't know they have an elevator (lift) until you've carried all your luggage or pack upstairs to the reception desk 5. Our room was on the 4th floor facing the street and was very noisy with traffic 6. In-house laundry was 16 euros and you had to leave it overnight - we went to a laundromat about 2.5 blocks away 7. Entry way to hotel not marked very well - we were confused for a couple of minutes until we spotted the door bell - when we rang the bell they buzzed the door to let us in 8. All that being said it was convenient and located close to the cathedral

i had the single room and it was just fine: clean, quiet, secure. I'd stay again without hesitation.

close enough to the cathedral, not a bad place. Only stayed 2 nights.

It was a little hard to find, but instead I did enjoy discovering the immediate area in search of the hotel; non of the signage is at eye level. The only negative was the thin walls between rooms. I could hear the folks next to me, and I assumed they could hear me too. The staff were wonderful and always checking if needed anything new or cleaned. They really added gloss to my stay. They don't speak English, but bygod they try. The location was also perfect in the end - very central, which had the airport shuttlebus stop right outside and it is close to the train station, which was perfect for my early morning departure.

The hotel is in a great location as far as walking distance to all the sights. The room size was above average, but the full size bed only has one long pillow for both people to share. Also, soundproofing the windows would really improve the comfort of the stay.

We stayed here after finishing the Camino de Santiago. The place was in a good location, the price was excellent, and the room very clean and exactly what we needed. The staff were extremely friendly. We shipped some things ahead of time before finishing the walk...including art we bought along the way and it was all there waiting for us. We also left some bags there....took a trip to Finisterre and came back to Santiago the following day for a midnight train to Madrid...and they were fine leaving bags there until our train was ready - 2 days after check out. So great place.

Just a short distance from the railway station and 100 metres from the edge of the old city, this is an excellent location for a stay. The staff were really friendly and provided directions to locations and shops in the vicinity. The only thing to point out is that the road from the railway station is quite a climb (involving steps) - excellent on the way down but you may wish to pay for a taxi if you have a large suitcase on the way up!

Location of Hostal Residencia Fornos was fab, I chose it because the airport bus stop is across the small playground outside the hotel and the good value price. It is only metres from the old town centre, couldn't be better location wise. My only problem was the level of noise outside even being on the 4th floor the street noise is terrible as the windows aren't double glazed so I lost a lot of sleep!

No problems. A fan or AC would have been nice in the summer. It's not the Waldorf-Astoria, but great for the price.