Rioja

I’d been traveling all day without eating and asked about booking a room and getting some food. People were still dining, but the woman turned me down, even after I explained I hadn’t eaten. She wouldn’t even give me a sandwich, so I left without staying. I’d avoid the place.

We chose the hotel so we could eat at its attached restaurant, so it was disappointing to find service very limited while renovations were underway. The restaurant has a Michelin recommendation, but it hasn’t been awarded a Michelin star. The hotel itself was fine, basic and clean, and breakfast was very basic too.

The meals were pretty average for what they cost. I was served reheated cannelloni that was hotter in some spots than others. The hotel was basic but clean, and there was no kettle or fridge in the room. The beds made quite a bit of noise, with their metal frames and wooden headboards.

We found this hotel about a 20-minute walk from Lliria, where I needed to stay since there are no hotels in town. I’ve now stayed here twice, and it feels like a second home. The place is beautiful and extremely clean, the food is fantastic, and the location worked well for us. The staff were very friendly. I don’t speak Spanish and they don’t speak much English, but we managed to communicate well enough for them to meet all my needs. I’m still surprised it’s rated only two stars. I’d expect four or five, especially given the great value for money. I highly recommend it and look forward to coming back soon.