El Ñeru de Campomanes

We ordered set menus and the whole meal was awful. We waited an hour and a half for the first course, then got Russian salad instead of the scorpionfish pie we’d ordered. I told the woman we hadn’t ordered salad, but five minutes later the same dish came back. We accepted it just so we could leave as soon as possible. There’s no terrace, and inside the six tables were crammed together in over 30-degree heat. The waitresses chatted among themselves and forgot about the customers. It’s no surprise the place is always empty. I wouldn’t recommend eating here. Everything was terrible.

The central location in Villaviciosa and the cleanliness are the best things about this accommodation. But the price has gone up to €50 a night, without breakfast, an elevator, or 24-hour reception, and the hotel hasn’t been improved. The spring mattress is very poor, and the old window lets in street noise. At night there’s noise from the cider houses closing late, and during the day there’s heavy traffic and car horns. The room has its own bathroom, but the old-fashioned taps make it fiddly to get the hot and cold water to the right temperature. There’s no bath mat either, so you step out onto a cold floor. In previous years, these issues were easier to put up with because the price was reasonable and felt fair for what you got. At this price, we’ll probably stay somewhere else next year.

The owners were friendly, and it was very quiet during the two nights I stayed. The hotel is clean, comfortable, and practical, with simple decor and a TV. It’s right in the center of Villaviciosa, a pretty and pleasant town, and a good choice if you’re visiting.

The portions are generous, the food is delicious, and the homemade desserts are good too. Prices are reasonable, and the terrace, service, and location are all excellent. A highly recommended place to eat.