Parador de El Hierro

Some staff were very friendly, while others weren't helpful at all, and they didn't seem to understand English well. The team tries hard, but doesn't seem well trained. My cocktail was basically just ice and wasn't good, and dirty dishes and platters were left lying around. The pool area has been closed because it was apparently at risk of falling into the sea.

We've stayed here twice and found it very acceptable both times. The staff are great, the food is good, and the accommodation is excellent.

We spent a weekend here for two nights on half board, booking directly on the website because its weekend deal was better value than booking.com. The hotel is small, so it never feels crowded, and staying there feels like a privilege. The building resembles a grand old house, nicely decorated, and the views are stunning. It's quite isolated, but well worth the trip. I recommend paying extra for a sea-view room, which comes with a balcony where you can sit privately. Avoid a ground-floor room, though: people visiting the terrace can easily see or access it, so privacy is limited. We chose a mountain-view room instead, but not all of those have balconies, and the smoking area was right below our window. The rating loses a star because the beautifully situated pool and wellness area is fenced off due to structural damage from wave erosion.

It was a good experience for relaxing, and the food was good too. The hotel is 30 minutes from the airport, but getting around without a car is really complicated. There was no pool, so we couldn't swim.