Hotel Simon

We spent a couple blissful nights at the Hotel Simon, a simple one-star charmer housed in an 18th-century mansion a few blocks from the cathedral. Rooms here are decidedly frill-free, but a central location and gorgeous architecture make this hotel a solid cheapo pick.

The Simon’s 40 guestrooms have double-paned windows, marble floors and solid furnishings. Desks and nightstands are wooden, and red fabric headboards add a bit of color. There is no air conditioning or television here, but with all the action outside we didn’t notice. (When we visited a few weeks before Easter, orange trees were in bloom, men practiced for Semana Santa and women danced flamenco danced down the street.) Some rooms have small balconies overlooking Garcia de Vinuesa.

Private bathrooms are tiled in white, with colorful borders. All are equipped with a bathtub, hairdryer and cosmetic mirror.

The Simon’s hallways and interior patio display antiques, some from the hotel ‘s past. (We spotted a framed Hotel Simon menu dated “March 3, 1916.”) Free Wi-Fi is available in the bright, foliage-filled lobby/patio.

Breakfast, for an additional charge, is served in an elegant tiled room with white tablecloths, wooden chairs and a serving table that must weigh in at about a ton. And for those needing a fix, there is a TV lounge just off the breakfast room.

Note that Wi-Fi is available in the common areas only.