Soho Boutique Castillo de Santa Catalina

Recent Reviews: 296

• User:parnazsolei

  Trip type: Couples

  BUG INFESTATION!!!

  03 Oct 2026

  THEY HAVE BUGS!!! We entered our room to see colonies of bugs crawling all over the walls, sinks, bathtub, and floor. Avoid staying here at all costs!!! This is NOT a 5-star hotel. After checking in, we left our belongings in the room and spent the day in Nerja. When we returned that night and finally went into the bathroom, we found trails of bugs crawling across the walls, sink, and bathtub. We took our belongings and went straight to reception to report the problem and request a refund since we no longer felt comfortable staying there especially for the amount we had paid. It was around 10:30 pm on a Saturday, and reception told us no one from upper management was available and that there was no one else we could talk to about this matter. We found it especially unacceptable that a hotel presenting itself as 5-star had no manager or other person available to address a serious guest concern. They instead referred us to a business card where we could contact them another time. After then asking what times upper management is available to contact, reception still did not have an answer. We left that night deeply disappointed and disgusted as we scrambled for another hotel. We contacted Hotel Castillo de Santa Catalina the next day, but they still refused to offer a refund, even though we had spent the day in Nerja and left the room untouched, just as we had found it. Instead, they claimed they had offered us a complimentary lunch, which is not true. We were only staying for one night and had a flight the next morning, so we wouldn’t have been able to use it anyway. And even if it had been offered, a complimentary lunch would not make up for what we experienced. After finding bugs crawling on the bathroom walls and fixtures, eating food at the hotel was the last thing we wanted to do. We have photos and videos documenting the bugs in the room that I will be posting online. I would avoid staying here at all costs!!!

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• User:Angelpie10

  Trip type: Couples

  Not a 5-star experience, sadly

  10 Sept 2026

  The property itself is stunning with peaceful surroundings and beautiful views, but our stay unfortunately did not reflect a five-star experience.Our first room was aesthetically lovely but completely impractical — there was very little space to place our luggage without blocking the walkway around the bed. The bathroom was large but not a functional space. When I spoke to Pablo at reception, he told me there were no alternative rooms. Later, Pedro informed us that there were rooms available for an additional €50 per night and kindly showed them to us. One was perfect. Pedro was helpful, but I was disappointed that Pablo hadn’t offered this option initially, which felt unprofessional.Breakfast was consistently slow — around two hours each morning. Despite there being only a few guests, the à-la-carte-only setup meant long waits for staff to take orders and serve food. Many times we had to go to the kitchen to get attention. There was no buffet for basics like coffee, pastries, juice, or water, which would have helped. Service was disorganised and not often delivered with a smile, and the food itself was inconsistent.Overall, the hotel has enormous potential thanks to its location and architecture, but the service, organisation, and attention to detail fell far short of a five-star experience. Luis Francisco Palomares Gamarra, Owner at Hotel Soho Boutique Castillo De Santa Catalina, responded to this review Dear Angelpie10:Thank you for sharing your impressions. We are pleased you enjoyed the tranquil setting and architecture, and we regret that your overall experience did not align with the standards we aim to deliver.We are sorry the single room reserved did not meet your space needs. For future visits, we offer various categories that provide additional comfort and layout options, subject to availability and pricing at the time of booking.Details about services are outlined on SBH, and our portfolio includes over 40 hotels that may suit your preferences.We hope to welcome you back soon..Customer Service Team, Soho Boutique Hotels

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• User:susan b

  Trip type: Solo travel

  Deceptive practice regarding cancellation

  26 Aug 2026

  I booked a last minute room. The booking said I could pay on arrival, but unfortunately I could not get a taxi there at 9pm (I was an hour away). I cancelled within 15 minutes. The terms and conditions I read stated there 'might' be a penalty. It did not say my booking was non-refundable. They charged me the entire €218 because I didn't cancel 24 hours in advance, which of course I couldn't have done. I showed them the T&Cs I downloaded but they refused to budge. Quite unreasonable. Luis Francisco Palomares Gamarra, Owner at Hotel Soho Boutique Castillo De Santa Catalina, responded to this review Dear susan b,Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective. We are sorry to learn that your plans changed and that your experience did not meet expectations.We uphold clear and transparent rate conditions, including cancellation terms that are presented at the time of booking. While we understand your disappointment, we cannot accept the accusations regarding our practices, particularly as the stay did not take place and the claims do not reflect our policies.For future visits, we suggest reserving ahead of time when possible, as booking timing can significantly affect access to more advantageous prices and, depending on occupancy and season, to more competitive rates.We appreciate your feedback and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you under better circumstances in the future..Customer Service Team, Soho Boutique Hotels

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• User:maribelen2017

  Trip type: Couples

  Very disappointing stay – overpriced and poor quality

  31 Mar 2026

  I stayed at this hotel twice and unfortunately both experiences were disappointing.The building itself is an old palace, but the adaptation into a hotel has been poorly executed and the result is quite weird.The rooms are very noisy, especially those near the cafeteria, where there is a constant smell of food. The quieter rooms are extremely small and poorly arranged, with oversized furniture that makes them feel even more cramped.The bathrooms are in very poor condition. Although they appear to have been renovated, the materials used are of very low quality. Water leaked out of the shower and flooded the bathroom floor, and there were persistent bad odors.During my first stay, the room had a high horizontal window with no real view at all. On my second stay, I was given a connecting room, which was even noisier due to both the connecting door and the hallway door.The hotel has an outdated 1970s style. The only positive aspect is the sea view, but this can mainly be enjoyed from the garden and terrace, not from the rooms.Food is extremely overpriced for what it offers. The TV channel selection was very poor, and the connection quality was also unreliable.As for the staff, they tend to be overly familiar, which can feel unprofessional. More importantly, there seems to be little interest in guest feedback or satisfaction, as if repeat customers are not a priority.Overall, the room prices are far too high for the quality provided. I would not stay here again.

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• User:AMCVN

  Trip type: Couples

  Does not feel like a five-star experience.

  15 Mar 2026

  I chose Santa Catalina Málaga expecting a hotel that would live up to its five-star rating. Unfortunately, my experience did not reflect that standard.The room itself was very clean, and the bathroom was excellent with very good towels. Housekeeping did a good job.However, the room was very warm. I was advised by staff that the heating/air-conditioning is centrally controlled and date-restricted. While the windows can be opened, they cannot be secured in position and repeatedly slammed in the wind. A fan was kindly offered, though I declined due to the likely noise.Housekeeping standards elsewhere were disappointing. There were cigarette butts in the geranium pots in the garden dining area.All the staff I encountered were pleasant, but there were awkward moments. At breakfast I was served a glass that was visibly dirty. When I returned it, both glasses were removed and I was then left waiting, as staff assumed my husband would be joining me rather than recognising that a woman might be dining alone.Although I made and paid for the booking, the welcome note in the room was addressed to my husband rather than to me.The room description referred to a balcony, but in reality it was only large enough for Juliette — any Romeo would have been out of luck...he'd have been hanging out with the garbage area the room overlooked. The room faced a staff staircase area, likely used by the kitchen, with a couple of toilets adjacent. Odours from this area drifted to the room.The pool is also extremely small — more of a wading pool than somewhere you could properly swim. A shame as my husband likes to swim.Overall, the hotel felt tired and somewhat tatty, and the experience did not align with what one would expect from a five-star property. On reflection, I'd likely have been better booking the aparthotel where I stayed on a previous visit.

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