Convento San Esteban

The location is good, and you can get some rest, but take it easy, Little Red Riding Hood. I booked a double bed and got two singles instead. They said they only had two double rooms and both were occupied, and also told me the beds were 135 cm wide, which they didn’t recommend. Between that and the photos, the website gives a misleading impression of the rooms and availability. The room itself was fine, but don’t look under the bed. Then, at 10 am while we were packing, the cleaner came in without knocking. Unbelievable. The biggest issue here is the gap between expectations and what you get: they aim for a four-star hotel feel but the service is worse than at a roadside hostel. There’s just one person running the bar and hotel, so you have to wait. I’d made an earlier booking that I canceled within the refund period, but when an error meant it hadn’t been processed, I had to file a claim. They returned the money quickly after I complained. I don’t think it was deliberate, just poor management, like the rest of the experience.

We only stopped by the restaurant and café, and the food and service were superb. The rice with aged beef was amazing, and the Castilian soup, asparagus, artichokes, and ribeye were spectacular too. The local wines were all good. We’ll definitely be back!

We spent New Year’s Eve there. It’s a nice place to stay for a few days while exploring San Esteban de Gormaz, and it’s worth a visit.

The staffing is short, breakfast is only coffee and toast, and the room is tiny. This doesn’t feel like a proper hotel.