Reina Cristina Hotel Algeciras

Hotel Reina Cristina is situated approx. a 10 minutes walk from the port of Algeciras, a little above the city on a beautiful garden ground. Most travelers will arrive in Algeciras by ferry, coming from Morocco. Since there are signs everywhere, the hotel really is no problem to be found. In the summer of 2006, I spent three nights there on my way from Tangier to Lisbon. I used Algeciras as a base to explore nearby Gibraltar and Tarifa. In fact, Gibraltar lies directly across the bay (Gibraltar Canyon) but Algeciras is spacier and by far cheaper than the British Overseas Territory. I have to agree with the first reviewer of Reina Cristina in TB, it's a bit of a shame: Such a pretty hotel in such a boring city! I never felt unsafe in the streets of Algeciras however. Well, it is a port town, so you always have to be aware and watch your belongings, but it's no more dangerous than e.g. Barcelona. You can easily travel around by public busses, which are also cheap and frequent. When going to Gibraltar, the Spanish bus stops very near the border station.

Hotel Reina is like an oasis of freshness in the hot Andalusian summer. Climbing the small steps or following the Serpentine, you enter the paradisaic garden with its shadow-spending trees. The outside of the hotel-complex is respectable, the inside nearly feudalistic, but not tawdry. For a European hotel, the rooms are huge, some have balconies from which again you can enjoy the garden with all its sounds and scents. On the TV you get all the Spanish stations, some French ones, two German ones, BBC, Al Jazeera, Sky and CNN. The air condition can be adjusted by remote control. The rooms are without safe. The Bathroom is very spacey, it offers a bath tube and a separate shower. For breakfast you can choose from many many things, but let me tell you, they all don't really taste too good. So it's quantity, not quality here.
The staff is quite helpful and friendly. A bulb had to be changed in my room. I told them at the Reception and when I returned, everything worked perfectly again. When you speak Spanish, or just try, you might achieve some extra :-) My bus to Lisbon wouldn't leave earlier than 8 in the evening, and the Lady at the desk would let me stay in the hotel for the remaining day. My luggage was kept safe in a room. So I went into the small "Oficina" next to the Reception, where you are free to surf the net as long as you require. Several terminals are provided. Later, I went on to the great swimming pool area and spent my last hours there just relaxing.

The hotel is on a beautiful piece of land. It's old but in kept in good condition. It's lounge is quite a nice place to relax as is the terrace out back There are several pools, as well.

The staff is friendly but not overly. They get the job done.

The decor is interesting. The fabrics should be replaced but, the carved details in the lounge are fantastic.

The room was decent is size an I had a view of the green area of the grounds with trees and flowers.

The bed is decently comfortable however the pillow is too thin. The bath was spacious but in need of updating.

The breakfast was continental. So, it was a little something to start the day.

The terrace has a view out to the water but, the port and all it's mess is a bit in the way.

The biggest issue is where this hotel is located. It's in a city that isn't really where anyone would want to vacation or even have as a base for exploration. I felt unsafe when walking down any small streets and very uncomfortable in what little after dark walking that I did. I would not stay in this city again. It's a shame because, the hotel has potential.