Hotel Doña Manuela

After staying at the Hotel Doña Manuela Casa Modesto, we didn’t want to check out. Located just north of the parkland Paseo Catalina de Ribera, this snazzy, two-star spot offers a recommended restaurant and a central location.

The Doña Manuela’s 19 rooms overlook the park and surrounding restaurants, cafés and orange trees. Room décor is bright and sleek, with white walls and marble floors. Curtains and bedspreads are bright white to contrast with checked lampshades. The rooms are outfitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, telephone and safe. Small balconies invite in the sounds of clinking glasses, laughing children and horse hoofs on cobblestone (but heavy shutters do a good job of drowning them out when you want to sleep).

Bathrooms are private and equipped with a shower/tub combo. We found their powerful water pressure a refreshing change from the city’s usual old-school plumbing issues.

The hotel also offers a pretty terrace furnished with deck chairs and umbrellas. Wi-Fi is available for free, and there is also an Internet station available for a fee, but Internet access is slow. (The reception staff recommended a nearby Internet café.)