Hotel Faranda Rías Altas

“great value and amazing on beach location”

Although the hotel had great reviews, the rate I was quoted by the hotel looked too good to be true. It wasn't. The hotel was a great find. Booking directly thru the hotel's own website gave a total rate almost 40% less than the regular booking sites. Taxi from the airport cost €12and took ar... more

Although the hotel had great reviews, the rate I was quoted by the hotel looked too good to be true. It wasn't. The hotel was a great find. Booking directly thru the hotel's own website gave a total rate almost 40% less than the regular booking sites. Taxi from the airport cost €12and took around ten minutes. Check in was easy and the room was on the second floor. Meeting rooms are on the first floor so you may like to ask for a room on 3 or 4 if there are meetings planned as I found the meeting room prep below at 07h30 on one morning annoying. The hotel is right on the beech front with beeches both front and back. There are two good restaurants right outside the front door too. Getting into the city is easy with frequent buses. The bus stop is about a 20 minute walk (out of hotel, turn right, walk by water and cross bridge but hotel will give a good map) and costs €1,09. Journey took about 30 minutes. Buffet breakfast in the morning included fruit salad, cereal, fresh pastries, meat and cheese. Pastries were very fresh and tasty. Breakfast staff were really helpful too. The decor in the hotel may not be to everyone's taste but the rooms were comfortable and the value for money excellent. The hotel doesn't (yet) have an iron, but does offer a send away laundry service

less

“Excellent value and very friendly”

I just finished a three night stay at this hotel and I have to say that I was delighted from the moment I checked in. I wanted to de-stress and be a culture vulture in A Coruña and achieved just what I set out to do. I was given an immediate upgrade without even asking as the hotel was not busy, ... more

I just finished a three night stay at this hotel and I have to say that I was delighted from the moment I checked in. I wanted to de-stress and be a culture vulture in A Coruña and achieved just what I set out to do. I was given an immediate upgrade without even asking as the hotel was not busy, and while a bit of paint could be applied here and there I hope that it is never completely updated because this is part of the charm. The location simply is fabulous although if relying on public transport you might find connections into A Coruña a bit tedious. I had no difficulty parking on the street though I am sure that will change come the summer. I had an endlessly changing vista of the bay (watching people walking along the shoreline with their dogs or pushing strollers under umbrellas) and the vibrant port and city across the river: so much, so close, and yet the tranquility of a resort off-season. Breakfast was good though may I suggest that eggs be made available, coffee be hotter, and please, fresh orange juice not that sugary stuff! The pool and sauna are next door and are included in the price of your stay; massages can be arranged as I would image could others of the fitness centre´s services. Had there been a direct connection with the hotel (and eggs: see above!) I would have given 5* and I never give top marks for anything! Most of all I would like to say that I found little touches from the staff very appreciated: no big rush to vacate on the dot of 12, and an extra pillow brought to my room without my needing to ask. I recommend this hotel without question and will most certainly return in the fall. TS (Canadian writer living now in Galicia)

less

“Just on the beach and with parking.....but...!!!!”

It was difficult to find it, as the instructions on the reservation had to be deciphered, and roads driving into A Coruna are complicated, especially if you do not use Waze or GPS, but once we called the Hotel, the front office clerk, graciously directed us to the hotel. It is not located in A Co... more

It was difficult to find it, as the instructions on the reservation had to be deciphered, and roads driving into A Coruna are complicated, especially if you do not use Waze or GPS, but once we called the Hotel, the front office clerk, graciously directed us to the hotel. It is not located in A Coruna, it is out of town, by the beach and where one of the Rias come into the sea,....it is quiet, and a bit cool in the evening...it is at the end of a road in a beach, called Playa Cristina. As for the hotel, the service in the Front desk was very good with good recommendations as to what to do or eat,....as for the room, it is a bit old, and the mattress and pillows were very old...wifi was a bit erratic, or impossible from the room, but nearby in one of the TV rooms, I could connect another guest from the end of the corridor also was there. The main point that I felt disappointed was the breakfast, as the bread was scarce, service erratic, and no eggs, the excuse being the kitchen was closed, but really, they can and should do better, also if they want the guests to try the restaurante, they should try to promote it with better prices, around the hotel, there are a few restaurants that can be visited and much cheaper and better. Maybe, next time I will find a hotel in town, so it is easier to visit the A Coruna, as it was the second Celuisma Hotel, I prefer to check next time and fine a better one, regardless of the price.

less