"The hotel is clean, quiet, and well maintained – exactly what we were looking for. We booked a three-week stay at Instants Boutique Hotel in August as we wanted a relaxing holiday and a good base for watching the solar eclipse. We also needed to do some work during our stay, and one of the reasons we chose this hotel was because previous reviews praised the excellent Wi-Fi.
The reception, breakfast, and bar area is one open space with large sliding doors leading outside. Unfortunately, once breakfast service finishes, the air conditioning is switched off and the doors are opened until around 7pm. During August, when temperatures are well over 30°C, this makes the area extremely hot. In fact, the only cool place in the hotel is your bedroom.
It would have been nice to sit in a comfortable, air-conditioned space to work, enjoy a drink, have lunch or simply relax during the hottest part of the day. I asked on two occasions whether the doors could be closed and the air conditioning switched back on, but two different receptionists explained (and apologised) that they were not allowed to do so. Even two of the receptionists were using a fan behind the desk, which rather illustrates how uncomfortable it becomes.
It's a real shame because, outside of breakfast and lunch, this communal area is largely empty as guests retreat to their rooms or go out to escape the heat. As a result, I've found myself leaving the hotel to work, eat, drink, and relax in another nearby hotel that has air conditioning in its public areas, which seems rather counterproductive when you're staying here.
Aside from this issue, the hotel has many positives. If the reception and lounge area remained air-conditioned throughout the day during the summer months, it would make a huge difference to the overall guest experience.
The staff have been courteous, friendly, and helpful throughout our stay. The breakfast offers a good selection, although it can become a little repetitive as there isn't any variation in the cooked options. The honesty bar is a great touch and works really well. The pool area is lovely – clean, comfortable, and a very pleasant place to relax. Our room is also cleaned to an excellent standard every day, which we really appreciate. The only minor criticism regarding the room is that both the room and balcony chairs seem to have been chosen more for their aesthetic appearance than for comfort, particularly if you're sitting in them for any length of time."
