Hostal El Vegano

I really like this small hotel, and Utiel too. There are plenty of shops, bakeries and restaurants a short walk away, plus a Mercadona that’s as nice as any in Valencia. El Vegano 2’s rooms are pretty bare, but they’re cleaned thoroughly every day. Gaspar and Javi, the two innkeepers, are friendly and helpful.

It was packed when our big group arrived after a winery tour, and the atmosphere felt festive. They seem to be a popular place for birthday celebrations, and they handled that side of things well. Service was good and the wine was fine. I enjoyed the pataje, if I’ve got the name right, a kind of potato soup. The flan was creamy and tasty too, though my portion didn’t have the sauce on the other plates. The main courses were much less successful. My regional sausages and pork loin were only okay. I’ve had good blood sausage before, but this one wasn’t to my taste. The other sausage had a good flavor but was very hard, almost like salchichon, and both pieces of pork were dry and bland. The solomillo in cream sauce was okay as well. The menu described the fish as coming with prawn salsa, but calamari arrived instead. One person in our group wasn’t happy with that and changed her order.

Good place and fair prices. The owner offered to keep my motorcycle in the storage area overnight, off the street.

Right in the town center. Simple, clean, and good value.