Camping La Estanca

We loved our stay. The glamping tent, as we’d call it in Australia, had a lockable sliding door, its own little deck, and a full bathroom. The air conditioning was a welcome extra in the heat, as was the great pool. The restaurant and bar were good too, and the small on-site supermarket had everything we needed. Bring mosquito repellent. It would be difficult to get around without your own transport.

The facilities were adequate, though quite old, and the sanitary areas could use an update. Prices were reasonable, but after one night we wanted to leave. If I hadn’t paid already, I would have gone straight away. A large group of cats gathered under and beside our car when we arrived. They weren’t shy and kept coming back as soon as we opened the doors. We couldn’t leave a door open or eat outside, which made the stay really uncomfortable. I’d have preferred to sleep beside a noisy motorway.

The site was very quiet when we visited in early October, and the staff were friendly. The facilities were clean and nice. Motorworld nearby makes it noisy during the day, but things calmed down after 6pm. The location is lovely, and Alcaniz is easy to reach and well worth visiting. x

The walk around the lake is lovely, and the man at reception was very friendly. The showers and toilets were clean. Still, I’m giving this place only two stars because of the animals. The dog in a pen was sweet and clearly wanted attention. A note said Carmen had adopted him and that he was happy with his duck friends, but I worry he’s mainly glad when someone comes by. Carmen may mean well: he has a shelter and toys, and probably gets restaurant leftovers. But he seemed to need exercise, and his heavy dreadlocks need regular, ideally daily, brushing so his coat can protect him from the weather. His collar is also the kind considered cruel and prohibited in several countries. A gentle leader head collar could be a friendlier option for a dog who seems hard to manage on a leash, and might make evening walks nicer for both of them. There are also 4 chickens, 2 ducks, 2 geese, and a rabbit in a tiny area. They seemed to have what they needed, but there just wasn’t enough room for all of them. Taking in animals is one thing; making sure they get the care and space they need is another. That really dampened my visit. Carmen, if you see this, please consider having the dog trimmed at a salon before brushing him, and getting a different collar.