Caro Hotel, Valencia

Pros

• It's hard to beat the hotel's history, as it's in a 19th-century palace used by the Marquis of Caro, and each room has a unique name, including titles like the Arabic Tower, Wine Cellar, Palace Kitchen, and Secret Staircase.
• Some rooms have historical details, like frescoed ceilings, exposed stone walls, wood beams, and antique terrace doors. 
• Common areas include a cozy lobby bar and an outdoor terrace with a bar and plunge pool. 
• The on-site restaurant serves unique dishes in an equally impressive setting, as Valencia's old Arab wall cuts through the dining room.
• The hotel sits in the Old Town within walking distance of sites like Valencia Cathedral, Mercat Central, and Turia Park. 

Cons

• Though a 5-star luxury hotel, the property feels too modern for its history, and the rooms don't offer any plush perks or amenities. 

Authenticity

The hotel renovated a beautiful 19th-century palace, originally home to the Marquis of Caro. The property earned the name of Valencia's only historical monument hotel through the preservation process. Each room holds its own story, but the owners took a contemporary approach to its new design and furnishings. Still, some units feature unique elements like wood beams, original terrace doors, stone walls, and decorative ceilings, some with frescoes.  

Location

Caro Hotel is slightly out of the way yet still in the Old Town and near many of Valencia's main sites. A quick, five-minute walk takes you to the Valencia Cathedral and Plaça de la Reina, and 10 minutes gets you to the Mercat Central. You'll be just a few minutes from Pont del Real, a historic bridge crossing Turia Park, home to gardens and bike paths. Plan to take a 15-minute transfer to the central train station or airport.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The rooms don't seem to match the hotel's luxury category. They're perfectly comfortable, clean, and modern, but most lack character and those plushy perks you might expect with 5-star accommodation. Still, the hotel's website details each room, so you can easily choose what you want. Go for options like the Wall Room, Palace Wine Cellar Room, Marquis Suite, and Arabic Tower for some historical details. Others have terraces and/or in-room soaking tubs, and all feature air-conditioning, bathrobes, and comfy beds. 

Amenities

The lobby bar, outdoor terrace, and plunge pool are all lovely places to relax and enjoy some downtime. A bar lines the pool's edge, and the bottom is clear, so you can see the historic parts of the building's inner courtyard. Although there is no spa, you can arrange for an in-room massage. The hotel is wheelchair accessible with an elevator, and accessible parking is also available. 

Family-Friendliness

Although the Caro Hotel caters more to adults, children of all ages are welcome, and additional beds can be requested to the rooms for a fee. 

Other Highlights

For meals, enjoy a unique fine-dining experience at the on-site restaurant, which sits on the hotel's ground floor with the city's 12th-century Arab wall dividing the room into two areas. The head chef blends traditional recipes with raw materials, rich flavors, and an avant-garde presentation.