Apartamentos Balcon de Maro

The place was spotless when we arrived, and there was food already in the fridge. The building and location had everything you could ask for, really. The staff were so helpful, they practically bent over backwards.

I didn't stay there, just stopped for a couple of drinks after trudging up that bloody hill from the beach in 30-degree heat. The sangria tasted great, and sitting beside a really efficient fan was just what I needed.

This is just about the restaurant. There aren't many dinner options in the small village, so we gave it a try twice. The place is handy, in a little square by the church, and the waiters were attentive. The menu was varied, portions generous, and prices reasonable. But the first time, we found a blue broom bristle in the food. We complained, and they acted as though they'd made fresh scrambled eggs, but only switched the plate. We couldn't finish. On our second visit there were little clear plastic strips in the food. We didn't go back a third time.

We only booked two nights through booking.com, then stayed for two weeks. We might have stayed a whole month, but the advertised no-smoking rule wasn't enforced. Someone smoking on the balcony below us sent smoke into our room at pretty much every time of day and night. We asked the manager to enforce the Booking.com rule, but he sided with the smoker and excused it because they were outside on the balcony, even though that's part of the property. We couldn't stay like that. Before the new guest who smoked arrived, we had a pleasant stay. The views are lovely and the place was extremely clean, though it needs some updating. Dogs did bark for much of the night. One practical issue: if you arrive after 2 p.m., nobody may be there to hand over your key. I was lucky to ask at the restaurant next door, where the owner had a key to the office and gave me a room key. Let the office know when you'll arrive so they can arrange it. Special thanks to Trini, who was so helpful and always had a smile. The area is beautiful, and there's free parking nearby, but we won't return to this hotel.