Went here on a recommendation, from friends who had visited some years before. Since then, the hotel has either changed hands, lost interest or whatever. Arrived, all very friendly, would we like to choose what we wanted to eat that evening (strange). Decided to sit by the pool (deserted), had a beer each (4.2 - 6 euros, depending on brand, small bottle). Visited by the manageress (?), one dish unavailable that evening. Further visit 30 mins later, substitute dish unavailable - starting to feel uneasy, and the pool was filthy.
Turned up for a pre dinner drink - help yourself, no gin, no sherry, no ice. All appeared eventually - 8 euros for one gin! Meal, at 29 euros each, was a disgrace. Mushrooms with ham tasted as if it was from a tin, freshly grilled minature vegetables were very bland, and certainly not minature (this was a substitute anyway). Paella was so awful we sent it back (rice not cooked, 'normal' ingredients not there). Sweets moderate, probably out of the freezer, cream from an aerosol. Wine OK, but overpriced - given a sample to taste in my water glass!
Room was spacious, clean but dated. No tea/coffee facilities, no fridge, no water, no satellite tv (remote didn't work either), aircon thermostat didn't work - so either too hot or too cold. Internet access available, if you paid through the nose (previous two/three star hotels free).Where did those four stars come from?
So all in all, a hotel from hell. Only one other guest, which should have said it all. We were booked for two nights, but only stayed the one, and had a very enjoyable night in Seville instead. A huge disappointment - lovely place, lovely setting, but stuck in a time warp, with Fawlty Towers tendencies. Until it changes hands, don't go there!
- Best Western Guillena
