I had this hotel on my top 5 option list for Tarifa. After looking at the other four, (thought we wanted to stay inside the walls until we heard the noise level and saw the room quality) we were thrilled with Alameda. Everything was very clean. Our room had the little enclosed balcony so we could see the kids at the playground (they play until @ 2100) and folks walking the promenade. No elevator, but the stairs were easy .
The room had everything we looked for. Good beds, good light, good bath, good location and clean, clean, clean. There was one difficult adjoining neighbor on the first night, but I heard the night staff call their room and things settled down quickly.
The staff we encountered - 3 or 4 - were all pleasant and helped us with directions. I practiced my Spanish, they practiced their English and we each did some sign language and charades.
One thing you do need to know is that the bus station is no longer a block from the Old Gate. The "station" is a street stop by an empty field that will someday house the new terminal. It's about 7-8 blocks from the Old Gate. Ignore the water you see down the hill. You want to walk one block UP the hill, then turn right on Batalla del Salado until you see the old gate.
We had breakfast before the next door restaurants opened. We walked down to the corner before the ferry terminal, went to the left, one block - past the castle- then left again and there was a little cafe open. The espressos were good, the jambon y queso tasty and the staff was friendly.
- Hostal Alameda Tarifa
