Parador de Ayamonte

The Spanish and Portuguese border looks incredible from here. I stopped in for a quick drink to take in the views, and it was well worth the visit.

We only came for lunch, not to stay at the hotel. The setting is beautifully kept, with a striking view of the Guadiana River and the bridge between Spain and Portugal. The restaurant has spacious tables and an outdoor terrace, though it was too windy for us to sit outside that day. There’s a short menu with something for different tastes, and the staff were friendly, smiling, and very professional. I expected gourmet food from a luxury hotel restaurant, though the meal didn’t quite meet that expectation. My favorite dishes were the potato and ham croquettes and the chocolate dessert with salted caramel. I’d have preferred it without the ready-made chocolate sauce, so next time I’ll ask them to leave off the topping. I was happy with the visit and would come back for the lovely surroundings and truly professional service.

We got in late in the evening and were welcomed by attentive staff. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and breakfast was very good. The views are stunning, and I’d definitely recommend it.

The hotel has lovely views over the Guadiana River, and the rooms are large and modern with a comfortable bed. Reception staff were very helpful, and breakfast had a good selection, including nice cooked-to-order options. At the restaurant, service was good, but the food was a bit hit and miss, and the main courses came with very few vegetables. The bar was the weak spot. Service was so slow, or sometimes nonexistent, that we had to go up and order our drinks ourselves. It’s a nice hotel, but more efficient bar service and more English spoken would make it much better.