Hotel Playa de Camariñas

Two weeks before our stay, I needed to cancel and sent a message through the hotel's website contact page. I assumed that had done it, but they charged me for the full stay and say I never cancelled. Avoid this hotel. They don't understand customer service. The inlet by the shore smells, but they pass it off as a beach, which is laughable. It's miles from any town, backs onto a car park, and the rooms are small. The staff are rude.

The staff and managers were the nicest I've met in ages: incredibly friendly, helpful, and patient. The building had recently been renovated with great taste, the rooms were spotless, and breakfast was quick and well managed, with a reasonable range at a reasonable price. From rooms facing the ría, the views were breathtaking, with little fishing boats and the occasional sailboat on calm water against Galicia's green, wild Costa de la Muerte. The beach outside was nice enough, but a hidden gem was only a five-minute walk away: clear turquoise water, really cold, and fine, fluffy white sand. The hotel is tucked at the end of the Paseo Marítimo de Camariñas, about a 15-20 minute walk from the town centre and its busy port, restaurants, pubs, shops, and local life. Rooms without water views face a large building and may be a bit less nice, but they were much cheaper, and that was made clear when booking, so nobody's being ripped off. One downside during our visit was the village's sewage problem, which meant the smell wasn't great at low tide. If you want to stay anywhere nearby, this place is definitely worth it. I'd stay again.

We stopped in for a glass of wine and found the staff and local people lovely and friendly.

We weren't hotel guests, just came for lunch on a rainy afternoon. The team were happy and friendly, and there was an English menu, though of course they don't speak English. Nice views too.