..with El Terado Terrace.. with Ivan.. and of course, with Avalon! From some of the reviews I read before going, I was thinking "what, is this place on top of Mt. Everest or something?!". It was about a 3 minute easy stroll through a gorgeous residential area. To those who commented about how comfortable the beds are- - you aren't kidding! I didn't realize what a crummy mattress I own until I got home.. I felt like heaving it out the window & calling Ivan to find out what brand it was. I loved everything about my stay at El Terado except for one thing----leaving. :0( ...I can't wait to get back!!

El Terado is conveniently located very close to my grandmother's home on Marilla, so I should disclose first that my bias for this location is partly due to a bit of geographic happenstance. But my family has been staying at this hotel for decades to provide extra accommodations when the family reunions overflow and I can speak on behalf of us all when I say that there are few more appropriate places to stay on Avalon than the El Terado.

The suites are very cozy and always very clean. The beds are exceptional, I always get the best sleep on their mattresses. The hotel management and staff are always friendly and very courteous and accommodating. If you don't mind the hike up the hill and you're looking for a place that's affordable and comfortable, especially if you're staying a few days and would prefer to cook a few of your own meals, look no further, El Terado is your destination.

My husband booked this hotel based on the excellent reviews on trip advisor, that was a mistake. When we arrived the hotel manager wasn't there to check us in because he was driving around on a golf cart. The room seemed cleaned enough however the huge dead roach right outside the area where you check in made me question the cleanliness. The walls are paper thin and we could hear everything going on in the room next to us. The shower was terrible, specifically the shower head with no water pressure. The surrounding areas were hideous, to the left there was some delapidated building with a hole in the roof, if you are looking for aesthetically pleasing scenery, look elsewhere. If you are on a very tight budget and not scared of roaches or would like to get a feel for what a third world country neighborhood would be like, then stay here.

I debated over whether to give this hotel 3 or 4 stars, but ultimately decided that 3 stars isn't a bad rating.

What's good: Staff was nice and got us in our room early. We had room 118 which was a bit secluded and a decent size with a mini fridge and microwave. Off the beaten path a bit so it was quiet at night. Even the walk to the hotel wasn't bad. Yes, the hill is steep but it really wasn't that bad (never did use the taxi service). It's an older property and they have done their best to keep it maintained. The price is fair for what you get.

What's not so good: The walls are a bit thin. I could hear our neighbor snoring and the shower/tub took forever to drain (yuk). It's an older property with no lobby to sit in to relax and/or wait.