CASTRO EXCLUSIVE RESIDENCES SANT PAU

We read the reviews about this place the check in issues. I'm glad we did not experience it but I'd seen few customers not able to check -in and we were able to assist them. We stayed in a 3 bedrooms and the room was very clean. KUDOS to Carmin and Elle for making our place very clean. Location is good, closed to Metro station Sant Pau Hospital. There are few restaurants and bars around the block and mini groceries at the corner. We walked to Sagrada Familia for 20 mins and 30 mins to Parc Guell. Facilities are great. Just need to change their towels, it smells even it's newly washed. Overall we had a great stay on this residence.

We stayed at the Castro Exclusive residences for 2 nights recently. The apartments are large - two bedrooms and two full bathrooms with a generous living room. We didn't use the kitchen but it seemed more than well equipped. The beds were comfortable, the AC was good. The location was ok - not much around it - but there is a metro stop about a block and a half away. The reasons I'm not giving this place four stars is because: 1. The listing said Wifi was included. The included Wifi is slow as heck and you have to pay 3 euro a day in order to connect all devices and get a decent speed. The apartments aren't cheap so this felt pretty nickle-and-dimeish. 2. Checking in was hard. They said we could do an early check in, but the computer at the front door didn't recognize my reservation before the 4pm check in period so I had to take my phone off airplane mode and call them (incurring an international fee) in order to call them and figure it out. Early check in wasn't available but they offered storage lockers for $10 euro each instead. Again, nickle and dime- most hotels that charge this much offer luggage storage for free. 3. Check out was unclear. So not a terrible option, especially knowing these things up front.

In summary the automated processes for check in, room cards, building access and chargeable lockers for left luggage after 11am check out are all a bit clunky and poorly communicated. I had to personally resolve problems with the lighting in one of the bedrooms, despite reporting the issue after our first night in the apartment. The only accessible WIFI wasn't included in the room charge. The emphasis on service is really focussed on charging extra wherever possible. The rooms were ok but not quite as nice as they appear in the pictures and therefore over priced for the location which is a bit too far from the city for the basic facilities and slightly used condition. The experience wasn't at all drastic but in our experience it's to be avoided if you want a relaxing hassle free break.

I have returned to visit my favorite city and casually I have found the best price for a full equipped apartment on the castro exclusive residences website. As I was happy last year when I was here I decided to repeat my experience, this time in the neighborhood of sant pau, much more quiet to travel with the family.

I stayed with 3 friends in June 2017 in a 2 bed apartment. The apartment was lovely, really well decorated, clean and spacious. The beds were comfy and 2 bathrooms was handy. Wi-fi was average, had to be in the front room to get anything to refresh. The location is abit far out of the centre but there are lots of metro stops nearby which was fine. We got a 3 day pass for unlimited trips on the metro. However there was a big negative to the weekend, and that was checking in and out. Upon check in, there was a screen by the door. This didn't recognise my surname or booking number despite triple-checking the email. A resident let us in as they left. We had the same issue with the main check in machine in the foyer. Didn't recognise our booking ref or surname. After about 5 times it recognised my details. It produced a keycard and no information. How do we get into the rooms' How do we unlock/lock the doors' Nothing is explained and you have to figure it out for yourselves. After a 4am start this is not what you want to be doing. Finally a cleaner gave us our keys. But i couldn't help but think; what if we had arrived at 10/11pm' No-one is around and the apartment is on a quiet street. Checking out was equally stressfull. No info on what to do with keycards so its guess work! The number they give you to ring is awful. Hung up on us twice and absoulely no advice or help given. A waste of money for minutes. Lovely apartment but its ruined by the check in experience. You want to just get into your room after travelling, not sit in a hot foyer trying to get through to someone on the phone about how to unlock your room door!