TEMPLE PRADORREY

I had a reservation made with la vida es bella (the typical gift box) for the nights of September 1 and 2, when we arrived at the hotel, it was closed, we called the phone number that came in the reservation and they told us that the hotel It is closed for maintenance and we cannot stay there. They had not notified us and they offered us to go to their hotel in Ponferrada 63km away, when our plans were in Astorga. Of course we haven't gone since it broke all our plans, because it made us travel a hundred or so kilometers extra between the round trip and because we don't feel like staying in any hotel in this chain. So we found ourselves on a Friday afternoon in Astorga lying around like two cigarette butts and not knowing what to do. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH RESERVATIONS AT THIS HOTEL YOU MAY BE STRAINED ON THE STREET

Having paid for a room January 2nd, we arrived during our Camino de Manzanal walk at the hotel one early afternoon at the end of April. Just to find the place abandoned, although lights were on inside the restaurant. One telephone call told us, that the hotel has been closed for the season, and they had tried to call us yesterday to tell us that. Clearly, they could have told us that a couple of months earlier. We were offered an alternative hotel in Ponferrada. Now, that would be only 50 km away, but quite a walk for some tired pilgrims. "But no problem, we will return your payment! " Thanks a lot. Guys, check the status of this hotel one extra time, before you stay here.

We chose this hotel from Sercotel's brochure as we have always enjoyed staying in their hotels. Not this one. It had two things going for it, it was clean and there was plenty of hot water. It was a 1980's motel which would not have been out of place in a Hitchcock movie. There were other people staying but so few that the place seemed deserted. We had booked in advance. At 6.30pm the reception rang to say they were closing at 7pm and we needed to be there on time. Fortunately we were sightseeing only about 15mins away. The room had no air conditioning and the hot water pipes for the accommodation block passed under the floor. Underfloor heating might be lovely in winter but not in August. Once the reception staff closed the office at 7pm there were no catering facilities until breakfast. The minibar in the room was empty and switched off. The charge for breakfast was 6 euros 50. The meal consisted of a small pack of melba toast and two small prepacked cakes. Cheese slices and sliced ham were available. There was bottled fruit juice but this was not chilled. When we complained about the standard of the breakfast they did waive the charge. We paid 70 euros for a twin room. The following night in Burgos we paid less than this for bed and breakfast in a 4 star hotel. Definitely one to miss.