"More like 4.5...but Tripadvisor doesn't do half-marks
I was fresh off a cruise ship, and arrived long before my room would be ready. The very helpful and friendly front counter person completed most of the check-in process, took my bags for safekeeping, and set me up on the hotel Wifi, using the room number I was assured would be my actual room. She provided a wonderful Alimara credit card-sized folding subway map and pointed out a few of the popular tourist sites. I was able to get online to figure out the fare system, and set off for a day of exploring.
w.r.t. the subway, it was clean, well lit, and I felt quite safe as a solo female traveller. There were however panhandlers and busking musicians actually riding on the subway, walking along the length of the train asking for money, which does not happen "back home".
When I returned, the front counter personnel had changed, as would be expected. Despite explaining that I had already been "mostly checked in", giving them my assigned room number, pointing out that my luggage was behind the counter, and I had the ticket stubs to prove it, I was asked to provide my passport for scanning again. I was given a different room number (there was no record of me being in the first room) and told I would have to pay the city tax. Fortunately, I had proof of the earlier payment on my iPhone, as well as the crumpled receipt in my pocket.
After that minor glitch, everything went more smoothly. I took my bags to the room, and felt safe heading out on foot to find somewhere for supper. The hotel is away from the centre of the city, but I prefer to find places away from the noise and bustle of big cities at night. It is right next to a subway station, however, and buying the right ticket can get you to the airport, if you aren't wrestling too many suitcases up and down subway stairs and escalators.
I never did figure out how to use the safe. Despite many travels in many countries, this one was a head-scratcher. According to the step-by-step illustrations, the first step seemed to involve a card slot, but my one and only room card was controlling the lights for the room, so once I retrieved it and returned to the safe, the room was pitch black... Maybe I was supposed to ask for a safe card at the front desk?
Oh, the supper place I set out for was NOT open despite what Google said. But I found an open cafeteria-like place nearby with lots of options for hot and cold meals, and a university hangout vibe, if you are OK without tablecloths and table service!"
