Valbusenda Hotel Bodega & Spa

The views from our room and bathtub were spectacular. Set among the vines, the hotel offers wine tasting on site and has an elegant, well-equipped spa. We had a lovely lunch, and the food was a high standard. At breakfast, our eggs... To top it all off, the staff were friendly and made us feel very welcome.

The man who helped us check out early in the morning was kind, and the staff at reception were helpful. They even made us a takeaway breakfast because we left so early, although they don’t normally do that. That was a real bright spot, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement. I’m sorry to say this doesn’t feel like a five-star hotel. Our room was nice and the hotel was okay, but that was about it. The shower was scorching and hard to adjust, and the water pressure kept changing every few seconds. You need Spanish for a comfortable stay. The woman at reception was very friendly and seemed to be the only person who spoke English. The other staff didn’t speak it and didn’t seem willing to try. The restaurant staff weren’t up for a little conversation in English, which made us feel uncomfortable, as if we were being difficult. I’m sure they’re nice people, but we didn’t feel welcome. We tried a translation app, but they couldn’t be bothered. The food looked great in the hotel photos, but was pretty basic. Breakfast had very limited choice, with no cereal or English breakfast, for example. They do have an egg menu. We ordered the poached egg on a blini with bacon and hollandaise, but got a crepe and an omelette with a hard-boiled egg, cooked without its shell in a plastic bag, and a dot of hard yellow stuff. It was all cold, a big disappointment. Dinner in the restaurant was okay, nothing special. On our last night we both ordered the same hamburger in the hotelbar (without a bar). One came with cheese and bacon, the other didn’t. We didn’t bother trying to explain it to the staff. The outdoor swimming pool has enough loungers, and towels are available at the spa reception. They serve drinks by the pool, but unfortunately no snacks.

The place is isolated from the busy world around it, which is part of what makes it so wonderful, though it does mean a longer drive from an airport. Inside, it’s modern and luxurious, and the views are incredible. The wine selection was excellent too. A fabulous experience.

Warm hospitality, a great view, and a winning price.