Gran Hotel Armele, Asuncion

Advantages: Friendly, bizarre
Disadvantages:

...Asuncion, Paraguay isn't on most travellers list of top ten destinations, but I can give you a few good reasons why it is on mine! I spent 6 months in Paraguay a few years ago working as a volunteer in Asuncion. My work was with the local people and gave me a fascinating insight into the local people. For a start Asuncion is usually hot, humid and slow moving in every aspect! I found that the people were on-the-whole very friendly and generally interested in people from the West. Paraguayans are a very proud people speaking not only Spanish but the native indian language of Guarani. You will find the Spanish spoken here quite different to that spoken in Spain, almost spanish without the lisp! The public transport in Asuncion was pretty good. We tended to rely on the buses and they did come regularly if a little overcrowded... Read review

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Advantages: Bargains Galore
Disadvantages: A little dull

...OK, Asuncion, and Paraguay in general aren't that exciting, but who else has ever been there? You can impress all your mates by saying "oh yes, in Paraguay this or in Paraguay that" Asuncion is located about half way up Paraguay, but on the western border of the country with Argentina. You can see Argentina across the Rio Paraguay from the main squares. Like much of South America, expect refuse on street, poverty in your face and scammers left right and centre. In fact, in Asuncion the slums are more evident than in many cities - they are along the banks of the river and you can overlook them from one of the main squares in the city. I wouldn't advise this though - we did and nearly got chased away. Besides, it's rather rude to pry into people's lives in this way. The town centre is somewhat removed from the town itself. As I... Read review

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Advantages: excellent central location
Disadvantages: views from rooms

...A fine basic city centre hotel, clean and functional. Helpful reception, restaurant and cleaning staff. Check in was not possible when we arrived at the hotel at noon, nor were we able to get a late check out when leaving. Excellently located across from one of the many side entrances to El Corte Ingles, five minutes trundle from the Airport Bus Stop in Placa Catalunya. Our room had a single bed added to make it a tripple, which was rather cramped, but with so much to see we did not spend much time there. The view from our room was into a courtyard and the back of buildings, however some rooms seemed to look onto other rooms across an air tunnel. Free internet access. A great hotel to flop back to after a long day sightseeing!... Read review

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