Hôtel Restaurant Les Arcades

The included breakfast was wonderful, with fresh baguettes, croissants, good coffee, and orange juice. Sabrina at reception and Brigitte, who cleaned the rooms, were extremely pleasant and helpful. The price per room was very reasonable. The hotel sits in an old building in a medieval town, with lovely views, but the rooms are dated. Some ceilings were blistered and looked ready to peel, and some rooms smelled musty. Bathrooms were old-fashioned and had no shower curtains. Our rooms had no cold water to the bidet, though the shower had hot and cold water with good pressure. Access is difficult because of the steep, winding stairs and no elevator. We asked before arrival about accessibility for people with disabilities but got no answer. The hotel closes from 3 to 6 pm, though you can enter with a code. If you arrive then, carrying luggage to the second or third floor is entirely up to you. Some other staff were helpful and warmed up during our stay, but at first they were rude and unpleasant.

The owner is a little gruff, though that seems to be part of his charm. The food was hearty and good, and a fantastic flamenco duo playing across the street really set the mood.

Parking at the bottom of town is a struggle. You need luck to find a space, then you still have to walk up or down the hill, which could be a problem if you have mobility issues. The restaurant is in the old town and gives you a friendly, relaxed welcome. The food is local, traditional, and family-style, though fairly simple for what I thought was a high price.

Lots of children were running around, so don’t come here if you want a quiet meal. This was my third visit, but the first in peak season, and probably my last. They seemed to be squeezing in too many tables, and service took three hours for three dishes. They admitted there had been a kitchen problem but made no gesture to make up for it. They refused to offer even an aperitif or the wine. It’s a shame they seem to chase peak-season profits at the expense of quality.