The Downtown Abbey

I booked a room around lunch time for my daughter after she was released from the ER following an asthma attack. Check in was at 4pm. She arrived at 6 telling me she needed a check-in code that was emailed to me. I didn't have one and spent the next 40+ minutes trying to contact the number listed with no answer. The third party I booked with finally got a hold of them, and she got in the room after waiting outside for just over an hour. If you choose to run a hotel and accept same day reservations, you need to be checking your reservations and be sure codes are sent before your 4pm listed check-in time. Someone should also be answering the phone. Normally this would not have been a big deal, but this time it was due to my daughter's health condition. I asked for some partial compensation for the ball dropping on their end and it was denied. We are in San Marcos frequently and this is now off the list.

Terrible Check-In Just know if you book same day you may not receive your check-in code before arrival. My daughter had been released from the ER after an asthma attack and needed a room. I booked early afternoon, with check-in at 4. She arrived at 6pm and waited outside until 7:05 before getting the check-in code. I called the number listed numerous times with no answer and spent 40 minutes online with ********** trying to get it resolved. I finally received a call from someone at Downtown Abbey and simply received an "I'm sorry. I've been away from the phone." It was an unacceptable response. ********** told me codes could take up to 24 hours to receive, even with same day bookings but admitted it was not posted on the site. I didn't ask for a full refund, but I did request some compensation for the terrible service and no notice codes were not guaranteed by check-in. That was refused. After using ********** for years, this is the first problem and I am very disappointed in their response.

We loved staying at the Downtown Abbey. The old wood floors and the historic architecture were beautiful. The price for what felt like a two-bedroom apartment was phenomenal! I would recommend a shower curtain kit around the gorgeous clawfoot tub. Showering is a bit cumbersome and it would preserve the gorgeous wood floors. We would stay again!

Buyer beware! On another site, somewhat similar to this one, this property has very good reviews. I took those as my holy grail, looking for something cute and close to campus for a recent one night stay. Checking reviews for the Downton Abbey, I was happy to see that it checked my boxes. So, the good: it’s very close to campus and a cute little area, with parking. The historic building is very cool, and I expected a pleasant stay. Sadly, that wasn’t going to be the case. The lighting is dim in every room, and everything felt dingy and worn, despite the obvious care taken to decorate the space. The walls are paper thin, since I could hear everything being discussed by the three young ladies in the room above me. And despite those ladies not being particularly loud, it sounded as if they were in my room with me. Ryan and Brittany, the owners, left information in the room regarding ‘quiet time’ from 8 PM onward, however unless you are a fairy princess, flitting around on gossamer wings, speaking in whispers, there is no possible way you could be quiet enough to stay in the room without disturbing other guests. At 10 PM I messaged my hosts about the noise, using the number they left in the room for messages, but did not get a response. At midnight, I sent an email, because there was no way I could sleep with people sounding like they were having a cocktail party in my room. Desperate, I turned on the noise machine they provide, and finally got a couple hours of rest. Check out is at 10, and Ryan was kind enough to respond to a previous email and allow me to leave at 11. However, my desperate email from the middle of the night remained unanswered until after I left. I do not expect hosts to quiet other guests who are speaking in a normal tone of voice. Those ladies above me did no wrong, and I’m glad they were having such a good time. I do wish they knew I could hear everything they were talking about though, since privacy was non existent. In my opinion, it is up to a host to disclose in an obvious manner that noise is a MAJOR concern in their building. Historic buildings do have issues that cannot be overcome, which I understand. I can only imagine that the good reviews for this guest house are from people who were privileged enough to stay there alone. If you are sensitive to noise, dirt and dim lighting, this is not a good place for you to visit. Photo is of the dirty baseboards by the bed. Not pictured, the stained mattress and cobwebs in corners.