Hotel Husa Reina Victoria

The Husa Reina Victoria Hotel is in Calle de las Barcas, right at the heart of the city, about 5 minutes on foot from the central post office, the town hall, and the main venues. The airport is about 7 mi away, and the journey takes about 20 minutes by car.

This small palace dating back to the beginning of the 20th century is one of Valencia's classic hotels, well used to hosting important people, artists and toreros. For example, the hotel managers speak of visits by Ernest Hemingway, the poet Federico Garcia Lorca, and the torero Manolete.

The reception of the Husa Reina Victoria Hotel is in a huge room with a wooden counter. In the past, it was a large room that extended as far as the neighbouring building. The establishment was built in 1913, making it the oldest hotel in town. Renovated in 2004, it is now one of the town's protected monuments, which is why the old shutters have been retained. You cannot help but marvel at the majestic original staircase and English-style bar with its wooden counter. Nearby there is an internet area adorned with hunting decor. Music lovers might like to know there is also a piano.

The fantastic external architecture of the building strikes a contrast with the inside of the hotel. The 86 guest rooms of the Husa Reina Victoria are comfortable, although the single rooms are quite small (with a double bed), and the overall style is a bit classic and outdated. They are fitted with parquet flooring, the walls are brightly coloured in a combination of yellow and blue, and the furniture itself is dark brown. As always in Husa hotels, each room is provided with a questionnaire for guests to fill out. The whole of the third floor is reserved for smokers. Of all the decorative features in the room, you might be taken aback by the painted bathroom door. The room also has prints of impressionist paintings. The all-marble bathroom is provided with an integrated hair dryer and a few hospitality products.

The gourmet restaurant serves up a daily buffet lunch, which is famous throughout the town of Valencia. The dining room is a huge, classically decorated space that can seat up to 220 diners. A wide variety of salads is served up, as well as the famous rice dishes you might expect here. Breakfast is also a buffet meal, this time complete with fruit juices and pastries.