Hotel Grifeu

We had a really relaxing weekend at Hotel Grifeu. The location is great, and breakfast with that amazing beach view was lovely. The staff were friendly and accommodating. Our road-facing room was roomy and surprisingly quiet, and the ceiling fan did a good job cooling it down. The bed was comfortable, and the linen and towels were good. The floors and fan could have been cleaner, but it wasn’t a big deal for a weekend.

The sea-side rooms have balconies with some incredible views. Breakfast on the terrace was great, and the reception staff were attentive and personable. The place is a bit quirky and could use a small refurb in some areas, but the cosy, extensive reading room and library, along with the outdoor terraces, make up for it. You can walk to the village for bars, restaurants and cafes, and there are fantastic coastal walks right nearby.

The views and location are spectacular, and the terrace is lovely, but the facilities need renovating. The decor feels old and overdone, and the plastic plants are unnecessary. The waiters were very nice and helpful, and kindly reserved a table for our group of six. The receptionist was pleasant, helpful and funny too. Dinner took too long to arrive. The owner, an elderly woman, was there and kept getting involved in the waiters’ work, which slowed the dishes down. The price felt excessive for what was served, so the quality didn’t match what I expected.

We paid about 50 euros per person for a starter, main, wine and coffee, and it was totally worth it. The view was gorgeous, and the food was a real treat from a great chef. Everything was homemade with fresh ingredients, including fish from the sea right in front of us and lamb from nearby villages. The wine recommendation went perfectly with our dishes. The owner, a very charming lady just over 80, shared her passion for good food and service.