Boutique Hotel Mendi Argia

The Hotel is the most unique, beautiful, well appointed and comfy rooms. The staff is superb, and the views unparalleled. Highly recommend lodging. Great breakfast too!

We had a lovely stay of 9 days at hotel Mendi Argia. The quality of the rooms, the view of San Sebastián and the food for breakfast were all excellent. The parking is something we worked around and not in the end an issue for us. The staff were super friendly and trying some Spanish with them was fun and much appreciated. So why 4 and not 5 stars? The WiFi. Whilst it would be lovely to think WiFi is not essential when you’re on holiday, that sadly is not true as soon as you want to research restaurants or plan day trips. Don’t bank on being able to use it for anything remotely more than sending a text message. Also, we had an issue in our room with a flashing security / smoke alarm light over our bed. Not an issue during the day but at night it kept us awake and meant that wearing an eye mask at night was essential. This could not be changed according to the maintenance chap. Overall though, we loved the place, and especially the ‘group’ breakfast table that had us making new friends and getting and sharing useful tips for our days out and restaurant recommendations. Finally, to mention again the staff who were very helpful in helping to ensure some dietary requirements were met.

A hotel for instagram maybe. The rooms, communal areas and general vibe was very well curated and styled but it doesn’t function as a hotel in terms of looking after a guest. On arrival no introduction or explanation of the hotel, no information about breakfast etc, nothing. Tried to ask for help at the self service bar to talk me through what was left of the wine list as the available wine didn’t match the price list, staff member didn’t know what was on the list or what was left, I gave up. Whenever I called reception when I was in or out of the hotel no one answered, this happened multiple times. Confusion over parking. When leaving no offer to help with bags, no offer to even open the door for you or help with the lift, nothing. Non existent customer service, the staff though pleasant appear to have had zero training or understanding of hotel work. It photos well though.

This hotel is NOT client friendly, not luxury, and not convenient. When we arrived, there was no warm greeting, just a climb up many stairs to get to what we guessed was the lobby - we couldn't tell because the lobby was a complete mess. It looked like a working office with personal items strewn about and piles of boxes scattered around. Although we understood there was no parking at the Hotel, we didn't know that we would be asked to park at the bus station and take a public taxi to the hotel. When we were shown our room, the hallway was very small, dingy and not totally clean. Our room smelled intensely of cleaning fluids to the point of gagging (we had been told that they just opened after a three month closure, but that is no excuse). They did offer us another room but at that point we were so turned off, we weren't interested. We just left and hoped they would give us our money back. After multiple emails, there was no response from the hotel management. This is NOT a luxury, boutique hotel and there is no way worth the price they charge.

I also have to say that this is not a hotel but you get a room in a family house. Our experience was very polar. The interior is very nice and chic, the breakfast was also very nice. But that's it. Two night we spent there we were waken by screaming and running children and nobody from the owners side (they were present) did nothing to stop or quit them. We felt that we with our being were disturbing the family time:) Which is not very nice feeling after paying 200+ € per night (without brekkie). Also- ladies who were "working" at front desk were nice persons but had no clue were or why they were unfortunately. Any request, even the silliest one like ordering a coffee, wine or few glasses into the room took ca 30 min!!! To give you an example, our check out lasted for 40 min, because we needed a simple invoice. Very sorry to wright this since the building is nice and view is great but honestly- owners have not understood yet that they are trying to run a hotel there. San Sebastian itself is great!

Yes, the interior architect knows the Gustavian design, knows Santa & Cole lightings, knows Van Duysen etc etc, but what the owner doesn’t know is how to receive hotel guests. It is expensive, and when you compare with the Amira Hotel nearby, you receive only a picture . A picture of the uncomfortable room, a picture of the city ( you have to discover by walking) , while there is no garage or parking spot., a picture of the bar , and a picture of a young unexperienced staff of two girls. Well that’s it : an expensive picture,….but an hotel with no maintenace, no comfort. If you want to read a book all day long in your expensive room with design , and when you dont care about comfort, this hotel is yours. But look first to the Amira hotel before you decide