This $49 (off-season) hotel was not my first choice for Ronda, but we were pleasantly surprised. We realized that a passing-through stop (an afternoon in Ronda, and leaving the next morning) meant we would use the room only for sleep, when our eyes would not be looking at a view. So it was a no-brainer to find something clean and comfortable, and nada mas. The ravine-front hotels all have restaurants, so you can always dine there for your view of the Tajo. Anyway, I was very glad I chose Hotel Polo.
Hotel Polo is in a cool old building with very high ceilings, and spacious rooms, especially by Euro standards. We had a full tub and a balcony, which were great! Each room has a different blown-up image of a watercolor painting of a landmark in the area, as well as a framed blurb about different landmarks, outside each guest room door. This was a neat touch.
Free Wifi with strong connection!!!
The attendant at reception was really friendly and helpful. He provided us with a map of Ronda, and went into major detail to point out all the main sites, and added suggestions for local tips, such as a special place by the old bridge, where you can enter the INTERIOR of the city walls, and walk a good length of the wall from the inside. I had researched Ronda like crazy and never heard of that. Super-cool tips!
It was a little frustrating that the website explained parking, directing you to a garage in such a way as to sound like it would be either free or validated, but no such offer exists. Be aware that they will happily direct you to a parking garage where you pay the given fee (no price reduction), or you can drive around and try your luck at free street parking.
There is a cafe type restaurant just off of the lobby, where they offer breakfast. As is my habit, we made use of a nearby grocery store for continental breakfast, exactly as I like it.
Okay, so if you want a view of Puente Nuevo and el Tajo, you want Casa Palacio Villazambra ($273*), Hotel Montelirio ($150*), Hotel Don Miguel ($75*), or el Parador ($174*), in order of reviewed-quality, worst mentioned last. These are rates for rooms SPECIFIED to have a ravine view; make sure your booking selection states "view of Tajo" (not "city view") because the Tajo is normally twice the price. IMO, Don Miguel is best-priced for what you get, but it was completely booked while we were in Ronda. Villazambra is the most luxe, and Montelirio is pseudo-luxe. (*Feb, 2018 rates)
Also looked at hotels more in the city center. Hotel San Gabriel is where Rick Steves stays, but it too was totally booked for our dates. Hotel el Poeta looked nice, but apart from beautiful decor, it had no view. If I am not going to get my view, I am not going to pay just a little less because of the interior, I am going to pay a lot less and stay somewhere that I use for sleeping and bathing.
The bottom line for us was thumbs up for Hotel Polo. Clean, cheerful rooms, pleasant aesthetics, and really friendly staff. They were located in a quiet enough area, but super close to all the action. We were very pleased with what they had to offer! read more