リナレス・デ・ラ・シエラのFuente Nueva y Lavaderosホテル

We read some good reviews on line but this hotel lacks the character of other convent conversions such as the Paradores and there is little art or artist flair. I think other reviews said ‘dull and boring’ and these descriptive words are appropriate ! Other reviews mentioned the difficulty in finding the car park or even the hotel itself - the staff seem to think that that the one way system and narrow roads of Aracena are the problem - far from it - good signage and good basic instructions from the reception desk would go along way , especially instructions around approaching the car park and the relationship to the checking in process ! The staff tried hard to make up for short comings but for the price they charge they need to up their game with more and better trained staff - staff who can truely imagine a customers experience and journey ! Perhaps use of a secret customer giving them unbiased feedback, as they don’t seem to have learned from feedback on Tripadvisor! Dinner was satisfactory but ot would not encourage a hotel to be just satisfactory - guests should feel to was a great authentic experience and want to repeat the experiences. The redeeming factor was the breakfast which was very good indeed and the overall pleasant surroundings and easy access to the castle of Aracena and of course the amazing local caves. For the manager - first impressions are everything - you make your mind up in the first minute of arrival in a hotel! As regards the Spa - well the Spa wasn’t open on the morning of departure and had no availability on the evening of arrival despite paying extra on our room - this situation wasn’t advised on arrival by reception so if we hadn’t mentioned it a little later we can only imagine they would not have mentioned anything and just kept the extra money! In English this is called ‘being fleeced ‘! As we had indeed mentioned it we did get a refund at reception on departure ( thank you ) but perhaps this was because we also had to mention finding long hairs in the sink - not pleasant! While I gave the hotel 3 stars - personally I would not stay there again but others I imagine will be happy enough to try it and hopefully not be fleeced ;-) let’s hope management will try and improve as this hotel certainly has potential and improvement is about learning and changing the way things are done! I compare my visit to the wonderful conversion of the Convento de la Magdalena in Antequera - the two hotels just don’t compare !