Detailed review by Praskipark
Praskipark(57)
Warsaw, Poland96%
When travelling through Spain I always like to find a hotel that is a little off the beaten track. I love exploring new territory and there are many areas in Central Spain that have a lost and desolate feel about them. One such place is San Esteban del Valle; a small mountain town with a sleepy and hidden atmosphere.
The posada is rather difficult to find - hidden away down an alley although it is close to the centre of the town.The best way to locate it is to get on the the main road that runs through the town and joins the plaza .You will see two or three bars and a statue. Then take the Calle de San Pedro Bautista and eventually you will come to another plaza. From here the hotel is a short walk and you will see it on the right hand side.
The large reception area has a homely feel to it although I found it quite dark. Apparently it was once a retailers. The furniture in reception and throughout the hotel is charming and has been chosen with care so that chairs, sofas and desks blend in with the country decor. I have been travelling through Spain for at least 3 decades and the interior design in posadas is changing rapidly. Once furniture was heavy and very dark which made rooms a bit depressing and claustrophobic. Now, it seems that this new country look is in vogue and a lot of properties including this one have been restored with great skill.
The central patio is the lounge/sitting area and a space that I particularly liked. I loved the ceiling made of clear glass which allowed light to bounce on the dusty blue tiled floor. An unusual shade which emphasised the relaxed diffused lighting. In the winter months there is a log fire which makes the room even more relaxed, warm and cosy.
The owner of the hotel, Almudenia Garcia Drake is also the hotel's chef and you may recognise his surname - yes, he is actually related to Sir Francis Drake. Senor Drake is a creative and imaginative chef who delights in cooking regional dishes using locally sourced products and fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden belonging to the hotel.
Below the patio is a huge cellar with dividing walls. This is used as an eating area where you can partake in lunches and evening meals. However the morning of our stay was sunny so we chose to eat our breakfast out on the terrace at the back overlooking the vertical garden. A very relaxed and pleasant experience.
Our room for the night was a double room and the decor was pleasantly subtle. A use of white, grey and muted blues gave the room a relaxed feel. Facilities include; TV, hair-dryer, safe, telephone and air conditioning which can be switched over to central heating. There was also luxury underfloor heating for the cold winter months. In the early morning I liked the fact that the sun slowly trickled through the window making the muted colours a little warmer. The room was on the small size - just enough space to walk around the furniture and bed comfortably. The posada is a town house and not all the rooms are the same size. Our room was one of the cheaper doubles of which there are 10. Also 2 other rooms which are classed as 'super doubles.'
The en-suite bathroom was gleaming and shone like a pin. Hand painted colourful tiles enriched the decor of the room and I thought added a bit of character. A bath and a shower was available but the shower was of the stand in the bath and draw the curtain round you type.There was plenty of hot water and soft towels including a small mat made from towelling to place on the floor so you don't slip on the tiles. A decorative container filled with relaxing potions such as bath crystals, soap, moisturisers and essential oils was placed next to the bath.
The special double rooms were larger in size and had luxurious facilities like a whirlpool bath, flowers in the room, coffee and tea making facilities. Beds were of the four poster variety which I don't like very much as they make me feel claustrophobic. The difference in price is 45 euros which isn't too much for the extra bits and pieces but I was quite content with my ordinary double room.
It is worth mentioning that an extra bed can be placed in any of the rooms at a charge of 25 euros. There is also a room on the ground floor that has been renovated and is suitable for a disabled person.
When we visited in April last year the posada seemed very quiet and relaxed. So if you are looking for a busy and bustling hotel then this isn't for you. I think the location, the Sierra de Gredos and the posada is suitable for people who like a quiet life, a spot of bird-watching and hiking.
My husband and I enjoyed our stay here and thought the owner was a charming and friendly chap who was a true professional. I couldn't stop staring at him at times to check if he looked anything like Sir Francis Drake. I can't say I noticed a resemblance. Also, it was the first time we had actually stopped in the region of Avila but so glad we did as there are some good attractions close by like the Roman Baths at Pico, the castle of Mombeltran, caves of Aguila and Cinco Villas Gully.
We paid 95 euros for a double standard room which is a fair price. Although breakfast which is a continental breakfast cost 8 euros per person extra. There are special offers on - two/ three day breaks with use of the spa facilities throughout the year. Check on the website for price reductions which is http://www.esquiladores.c om (This is in Spanish but there is a translation facility).
Other info which I think might be of use is - limited parking in the adjacent square.
A lift is in use.
A spa room has been built on the top floor of the posada but at the time of our visit it was closed.
Credit cards are accepted and include:- American Express, Diners, Mastercard and Visa
Pets are not allowed
The posada is closed for Christmas.
Address is Esquiladores, 1-05412 San Estban del Valle, Avila
Tel: +34 920 38 34 98 Fax: +34 920 38 34 56
e-mail: posadaesquiladores.com
Posada de los Esquiladores8
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