Après presque 15 jours
In La Parra I found a little gem of a hotel. Since I was traveling alone (Michelle doesn't enjoy long trips in the car), and expenses are important (always so, no?), I was happy to find a seventeenth century convent converted into a restful hotel for adults. No TV, no radio, no air conditioning, a library of books left by guests. Natural materials - whitewashed walls, terracotta, wood and iron. Barn swallows (golondrinas in Spanish) swooping through the many archways down to a fountain or the swimming pool for a drink. A storks' nest at the top of the cloister tower, occupied by at least two adults and some younger ones.
And, since I only needed a single room I found their rates incredible for the luxuries offered - €51 per night, breakfast and IVA included. (Doubles are €111 and there are suites for €170).
My room, 14, is what I expected, but not on the ground floor, which I had read somewhere. It's up a flight of stairs. Bed, chair, mini table with reading lamp and another wall lamp for reading in bed and general lighting of the room. Big enough closet. Called home (direct dial) without problems.
Bathroom big enough, big tub, sink, toilet and bidet. I lost my tooth brush in the trip and they gave me another one at the reception. (Angel) is friendly enough. He got me a drink from the bar (it won't open until 21:30). Saw the dining room, sitting “square”, pool (I didn't think to bring a swim suit) and developing library. Everything very clean. Lounge chairs (“Day beds”) scattered around in interesting places to sit and watch.
The town of La Parra itself was explored in a couple of hours the first evening - the church at the top of the hill, five para-gliders floating in the updraft of another hill behind the town, a couple of bars and a few stores.
The only meal I had in the hotel's restaurant was on the night I arrived, and it was fine. Some gazpacho to start, offered by the restaurant. "Lomo de retinto con patatas al pimentón" - a very tender cut of Iberian pork prepared and served very nicely with a touch of paprika sauce. A half bottle of the local (Ribera de Guadiana) tinto - red wine. The meal cost me €27.10.
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