Els Caçadors

There was a stink bug crawling on the sheets, and the toilet had a slimy film of water over it. The ceiling also showed water damage, with mold building up in the corners. When we entered our “suite,” the smell of moldy water hit us. Needless to say, we were disgusted to be given a room in that condition.

I haven’t stayed at the hotel, so I can’t speak to the rooms, but I have eaten at its restaurant. The place itself is beautiful, with a calm, almost romantic feel. The restaurant staff are amazing: they genuinely care about guests, communicate well, bring a great attitude, and know the menu well enough to make good recommendations. The food has incredibly delicious flavors, unlike anything I’ve experienced in Spain before. I’m definitely looking forward to going back!

The food at the restaurant was tasty, but there wasn’t much variety, especially for someone like me with dietary restrictions. I found no gluten-free options and had very little to choose from. The views from every room were breathtaking, and the rooftop jacuzzi looking out over the mountains was unforgettable. We also had a private jacuzzi in each of the two rooms we booked for ourselves and the children. The hotel felt warm, cozy, and fairly luxurious, with comfortable, nicely renovated rooms that were mostly clean. The mountains made mornings and evenings feel magical. One thing nearly spoiled the whole stay. On arrival, the bathroom hadn’t been cleaned properly, and there were long hairs in the jacuzzi. I asked reception to have it cleaned and went out for a walk. When we came back, staff had only rinsed the tub and left the hair there, so I had to clean it myself. That was a pretty unpleasant way to start the visit. The hotel and its amenities were excellent otherwise, and I’d consider staying again if cleanliness could be guaranteed. The cozy rooms, views, and rooftop jacuzzi are hard to beat.

We came out for the scenery and ended up in a food coma. That calamari paella was rich, smoky, and cooked just right, but somehow still light enough to leave room for dessert. And you really should leave room: the desserts are absurdly good. One bite had me wondering about all my past life choices. The restaurant is tucked inside a beautifully designed hotel, like something straight off Pinterest. The food isn’t chasing trends or making things complicated, it’s just outrageously good. Service felt friendly without being fake, and the atmosphere was relaxed but elegant. It has that rare feeling of “why don’t more people know about this?” Who knew Ribes de Freser had a restaurant that could outshine most places in Barcelona? It’s a 1.5-hour drive from Barcelona, and absolutely worth doing. Just skip breakfast beforehand, or even lunch the day before.