We have stayed in a lot of different Paradors over many years and this time was the only the second time that we had been disappointed. The first was only eleven days earlier. Two old aristocratic town houses have been combined to create this Parador in the historic centre of Caceres, which is an UNESCO Heritage site. What the website fails to mention is that no traffic is allowed into the historic centre so you cannot drive to the Parador. This was only explained to us, by email, three days before we arrived. Fortunately, I had access to email and was with my wife. We were therefore able to follow the instructions that were given. If I had been on my own or had not been able to check my email I may well have gone into the prohibited zone, the signs were not large or particularly clear, and been fined. My wife had to walk to the Parador to check us in. I was then collected and taken to a car park in centre of town. I was charged €23 to park a motorbike there which was more than twice the amount of any other hotel, but I really had no choice. If I had known these arrangements beforehand, I probably would not have booked this Parador but one of the many hotels in the main town instead When we got to our room it had high windows with shutters. It was difficult to see out of these and the room felt a bit like a cell. Although it had everything we needed it was dark and it was almost impossible to get the air conditioning to cool the room, there were no instructions. The shoe shine pad in the wardrobe was just an empty box so the room had not been properly serviced. The bathroom sinks were a triumph of design over practicality. Instead of a normal drainage hole, with a plug of some sort, these had a whole section that moved forward to “seal” the sink when you pulled up the lever behind the tap (see first photo). One worked reasonably well. However, the one by the shaving mirror continually leaked water meaning I had to run the tap while I shaved. Given the water shortage there (see second photo) this was particularly wasteful. There were English speaking staff on reception but not in restaurant. We were not given the complementary drink which, as an Amigos de Paradores, we normally receive. The service in restaurant at dinner was rushed. We ordered two veal dishes but only one arrived. The waiter said that there had been a mistake and another was being “prepared”. It was not clear whether it was his mistake or that of the kitchen staff. Meanwhile, the first dish was left with us to get cold. Within less than five minutes the second dish came. As we had asked for it cooked medium we were surprised it was this quick, that is until my wife cut into it. It was virtually raw and inedible. I refused to pay for that it was so bad. The menu said that the dish was served with “mashed sweet potato”. Technically it was, but as there was less than a dessert spoon full on the plate, that was something of an exaggeration. There was no option to ask for f
Sangat Baik
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