Hostal Rural La Fonda Del Rocio

We found El Rocio by chance while looking for somewhere to stay on our way from Spain to Portugal, and the town was nothing like we expected. There were sandy roads and people riding horses to the pub, which we were told was typical at weekends. The staff were kind and welcoming, and we stayed with our two dogs at no extra cost. The room was basic but clean, with everything we needed for one night. Breakfast was good, nothing fancy, but a nice start to the day. A different kind of stay and a fun cultural experience.

The mattress wasn't great, and I would have liked something homemade at breakfast. The breakfast itself was simple but plentiful, and I really liked the quality biscuits. I also loved the covered patio, full of plants and nice and fresh, and the staff were lovely. Great location too.

Our stay was so bad that it almost spoiled my birthday celebration. We were given a tiny room in an annex across the street, nothing like the room and facilities described in the booking confirmation. The dogs in the next room made an appalling amount of noise, and the shower was a joke. We paid the bill in cash, left after an hour, and moved to a nearby hotel named after a wild duck, where we had a brilliant stay. I can't seem to give less than one star, but this felt like zero. There are plenty of good reviews, so be careful to check exactly what room you might get. If your experience is different, please understand this is our honest account of an attempted stay.

The staff were friendly, the location is fine, and there's parking. The hostel needs renovation to meet today's standards. Breakfast is simple and standard, but costs just €5. The bathroom cleaning needs more attention too. Mold is a health risk!