Château de Riell

The spa is about an eight-minute walk from the hotel, including stairs and an outdoor stretch, so keep that in mind. Apart from that, we felt right at home and I’d happily return. We stayed in a deluxe room in the beautiful castle, surrounded by lovely nature and a really peaceful atmosphere. Service was good, especially at Oliba, where we had breakfast each day and dinner twice. The food was unusual, but made for an interesting culinary experience. It was an enchanting stay.

The restaurant, Oliba, had a pleasant atmosphere and good service, but the meal was a real letdown. The portions were tiny, and although fish was listed on the menu, none was served. Even ten plates together wouldn’t add up to one normal portion. For what we got, the price was far too high. We’d booked Le Château de Riell because its website said it had a spa. On arrival we found out the spa wasn’t part of the hotel, and Saturday was already fully booked. That should have been made clear before booking. A five-star hotel advertising a spa should try to fit guests in or offer some compensation. We asked for a late checkout and were refused. We’d detoured 100 km on our way to Barcelona just to stay here, which made the disappointment worse. Reception staff spoke very poor English, unacceptable for a hotel presenting itself as part of an international chain. We stayed one night and won’t return. The whole experience felt misleading, poorly managed, and well below five-star service.

i was impressed by how clean and cozy the rooms were, and the area is incredible, really fun to explore. everything was better than i expected, from the food to the cleanliness and service. one of the best experiences with service i’ve had in europe. everyone was friendly, welcoming, and eager to help. recommend this hidden gem. (i only have film photos because i did digital detox)

The place has lovely nature, spectacular views, and a starry sky. It’s a little old-fashioned, but that gives the hotel charm. They’ve paid attention to little touches, from the washing glove and bathrobe to the thermal body care products, high ceilings, and wide staircase. Breakfast was good. I’d recommend dinner in the restaurant, especially the fish and perfect dessert. The spa was much more than a massage, it felt like total care for you and your skin. I hope to come back and enjoy it again.