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Hotel Villa de Ábalos

Hotel Villa de Ábalos is a marvelous place to stay in the Rioja region of Spain. I’ve been waxing poetic about many of the small hotels that served me well during the past visit, and they all did a fine job. There’s always a few that stand out, and Villa de Ábalos takes the trophy. Ábalos itself is a tiny town, surrounded by vineyards and bodegas. There are some larger boroughs nearby, but I found no reason to explore them when this tiny spot had everything to make the stay comfortable and interesting.

You see the building there in the photo above. It’s hard to imagine the entire structure was gutted and rebuilt by the current owner. He has a great scrapbook filled with photos showing the work in progress. Take time to check it out. In doing so, you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the hard work the individuals invest into these establishments.

At the reception desk I was met by a very competent man who gave me a tour of the facility, asked about arranging tours, restaurants, and directions to other destinations. From here, we moved up the stairs.

The stairs are original to the palacio into which the hotel was built. At the top, you’ll notice a still. Hmmm…. Rioja is a wine region but someone liked to make a beverage a bit stronger. Nothing was said but a few knowing winks and nods were exchanged. Anyway, into the room we went.

Cozy, comfortable.

This place had steam heat directed through radiators. It had the kind of hot water that cleans away the road grit, too. What a blessing after some less than tepid showers! There are also a number of common areas for you to gather, have a glass of wine, and do a bit of work on the WiFi.

Speaking of wine… the owner makes his own, both red and white. This year, 2010, he just released his first white, and it was delicious. We drank a bottle in the afternoon and another with supper, which the man served himself. Talk about personal service! I’ll have a separate post about that. In the mean time, if you like to tour wineries, kickback with a glass, and do it in style, Hotel Villa de Ábalos should be at the top of your list.

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Hotels In Spain

on July 9, 2010 at 11:43 am Leave a Comment
Tags: boutique hotel, photos, Spain, Spanish hotel, travel, vacation, Villa de Ábalos, wine, winery

Posada Dos Orillas, Trujillo

Welcome to Trujillo, Spain, that town of conquistadors, a fine castle, and the Posada Dos Orillas. Located in the oldest part of town, only a short walk from the castle, this posada is quiet and comfortable with a wide selection of rooms.

We arrived in the middle of the morning and there was construction in the Plaza Mayor which meant we couldn’t access the hotel by the route I planned. No problem, I parked in a garage, took only the essentials for an overnight stay, and walked back. It was good exercise and an opportunity to explore another set of streets.
The reception area above gets you off to a good start. From here you can get oriented, ask questions to obtain local info, and get the password for the network. The building itself is a reformed palacio with a fair number of nooks and crannies. You’ll go through a passage or two like this on the way to your room.

You can see style and good taste on display in that photo as you will find it throughout the facility. In our room we had plenty of space in terms of sleeping, sitting, and closets.

The bathroom featured the necessities you require plus a hair dryer for those who want to remain well coiffed.

At ground level there is a restaurant. Sadly we did not have a chance to try it. However, here’s a look at the seating there.

I like the fabric stretched overhead. Although it was late April when I visited Trujillo, already the temperatures were plenty warm. Keeping the sun at bay makes things a bit more comfortable. The next morning we enjoyed the breakfast of the house and departed this lovely establishment. If I have the chance to return to Trujillo, I would definitely stay here again.

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Hotels In Spain

on June 29, 2010 at 1:22 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: boutique hotel, Europe, photos, Posada Dos Orillas, Spain, Spanish hotel, tavel, Trujillo, vacation

Convento de la Parra, Spain

La Parra is a tiny town in western Spain. There I found the Hospedería Convento de La Parra to be a true gem of hospitality. This hotel was once a convent, built in the 17th Century. Many of the convent features remain, making a stay here a bit like going back in time. And yet there are plenty of modern features that keep you in the here and now. Entering from the street, you first come to the reception area where you’re met by a friendly and competent person.

The receptionist is pleased to take you on a tour of the facilities. You’ll need a guide the first time because the building is expansive and filled with both common and private areas. The central courtyard features tables under orange trees as seen in the next photo.

The photo above gives an idea of the scale of the building. It is larger than it appears from the street. Moving along, you’ll find a pleasant swimming pool tucked away in a semi-private area complete with lounge chairs to relax by the water.

Note the orange trees in that unique irrigation system. Along the terrace that spans the second level, you’ll find more individual places to relax.

If you enjoy reading, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better place than that. Taking a look at the rooms, ponder the next photo.

Here I was ensconced in one of the quietest rooms imaginable. The world might have come to an end but I wouldn’t have known it during that particular night. Service here is exceptional. Mention your desire to one of the staff and they’re on the way to make it happen. Convento de la Parra also has fine restaurant that I’ll be posting about next.

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Hotels In Spain

on June 25, 2010 at 11:54 am Leave a Comment
Tags: boutique hotel, Convento de la Parra, Europe, La Parra, photos, Spain, Spanish hotel, travel, vacation

Alcazar de la Reina

Hotel Alcazar de la Reina is located in Carmona, Spain. This sprawling facility abounds in common areas which make it a strong candidate for wedding parties, reunions, or family outings. From the moment you enter the lobby you’ll notice the open spaces as you can see here.
The interior areas are separated from the exterior ones by columns and glass walls, which accentuates the largeness. There is a patio, seen here:
And a large swimming pool only a few steps away.
Both of these were transformed for weddings while we were there. Lots of work but also spectacular results. You’ll find the rooms comfortable with the usual fittings as you would expect in a place at this price point.
I appreciated the desk and fridge because I needed to do some work on the netbook and prefer my Coca-Cola ice-cold.
Another plus for Alcazar de la Reina is the underground parking garage. Be warned, only a smaller car will fit in the spaces, but that’s typically what you’ll be driving. There is also outdoor parking directly across the street from the main entrance. Service here is a bit formal from what I’m used to, but very consistent with this type of establishment. And let’s not forget the onsite restaurant and Irish pub. More on that in another post.