Canfranc-Estancion Homestays

We stopped here for one night en route to Valencia. Very good experience: good, comfortable room, excellent dinner (two great value fixed price menus with water and generous wine included). Friendly, efficient service in the bar and restaurant. Rooms at a fair rate, but the price of food and drinks made this an inexpensive stay. Un petit bémol: I understand that Spanish hotels don't believe the summer begins until July, but, with the temperature at 27, sitting on the terrace with a view of a green swimming pool was not pleasant.

I am surprised nobody mentioned about the sheer number of flies in the hotel in their reviews. At the parking spot opposite the hotel, I was greeted by at least 2 dozens of them once I stepped outside the car. Then inside the hotel, they were everywhere, alive or dead, near food or not near food. Upon entering the room, we were originally quite okay with it although it did look much older and shabbier than pictures on the hotel site. There was only one fly near the window and we could get rid of it easily. However, we later found out that the hotel was still using the central air system to blow hot air in late June instead of turning it into an air-con. There was a heat radiator in the room but apparently the hotel is still relying on the central system for heating. With one window open (only one has screen window), we still couldn't get the room cooled below 27 Celsius that night and it was difficult to fall asleep. Worse still, I was waked up very early by 5 or 6 flies buzzing around my head. We checked the screen window and it looked perfect. We suspected they could be coming through the ventilation system as we could see light from its opening. I am grateful anyway that the hotel allowed us to leave a day earlier without penalty. I booked 2 nights with 48 hour cancellation prior to arrival, but they reserved the right to fully charge for the entire stay after that period for whatever reason. If it is not because of this gesture, I would really have given the hotel a one star rating only as the stay was really too uncomfortable. Many mentioned food in restaurant was good. However, I only found it quite average, but then I think it is sort of reflected in their price.

Most beautiful building and setting BUT...... We stayed 1 night. The check in staff were fantastic with a special mention to Isreal who was friendly, helpful and professional. I think the nearly 50 Euros to use the small swimming pool for the two of us was fairly outrageous given how much we had already paid for the room. Our room was clean and comfortable. We ordered some pillows from the pillow menu. They arrived 2 hours later with the maid completely ignoring our do not disturb sign and banging on the door continuously until we answered! We then went to dinner. Our waitress did not seem happy, when we refused the bread she would not accept it and kept pushing it onto the table. We ordered a bottle of cava. She slammed the bottle down on the table in front of me and started to use her knife to try and remove the foil. She then removed the cage and the foil in one movement and pointed the bottle straight at me. Given she was right by my side and I had no choice but to watch her every move I swiftly pushed my chair backwards and duck. At this point the cork flew off and hit the back wall spraying me with at least a 3rd of the bottle. She was very apologetic and staff came out with a bucket and mop. Did they get us another bottle or an extra glass full to compensate - NO. Did they charge us for the bottle in full - YES. Someone did offer to dry clean my clothes and they did put some kind of fish starter on our table that we didn't order. We refused it as we had already ordered plenty of food. They again plonked a dessert we had not ordered on our table and said it was to make up for the drink. I told them I didn't want it but they left it anyway so my husband ate it. The whole thing was quite incredible. A 5 star hotel that thinks this behaviour is acceptable and not prepared to give any compensation for nearly losing an eye, getting soaked and spilling a 3rd of my bottle! I certainly would not recommend paying the high price given the service.