Description: You will find this charming hotel, El Milano Real, up a narrow road in the rambling mountain village of Hoyos del Espino in the Avila district of central Spain. The stone exterior still looks quite new and hasn't mellowed in the 16 years since it was built. This village hotel has the look of a new build although not devoid of rustic charm.
Inside the hotel it was interesting to note the mixture of styles and decorating techniques. Every room was different; blending the traditional with contemporary. I particularly liked the comfortable galleried lounge featuring delicately patterned sofas and chairs of a rustic design. This is a cosy area where guests can spend time chatting, reading or just sitting quietly with a book or newspaper. The two dining rooms were very different - contemporary in style with a central patio.
The garden layout was interesting and varied with one area set out so you are able to sit and have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and another section designed for beauty with a waterfall and pond. An area to relax and wind down from a day's walking in the Gredos mountains.
Not only a mixture of styles carries on upstairs in the bedrooms but also each room is named after a country or city and has it's own aromatherapy perfume. The smell of each room wafting into the hallway when approaching the stairs is wonderful and reminded me of walking through the Botanical gardens in Madeira. The room I stayed in was of course, the English Room and the fragrance inside was one of English lavender. Other rooms like the Japanese smelt of jasmine and the Manhattan room had a crisp fruity smell of apple. All 21 rooms of which there are eight doubles, five extra large doubles and eight suites have a wonderful and enchanting view of the Sierra de Gredos.
Facilities in the hotel are extremely good and if you chose to stay in a suite you would be lucky enough to have your own sauna. Apart from a spotlessly clean marbled bathroom with a bath and a shower we had the use of a private telephone, TV, DVD player, fax, Internet connection, mini-bar, and a hair drier.
If you don't want to stay in your scented bedroom you can find at least two areas to relax and they are the well stocked library and the astronomical observatory. Here, you can collapse on a soft cushion with a book as you look through the windows at the bewitching mountain range. A room is also set out for playing cards and a game of chess.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served in the hotel and the quality is of a high level using freshly sourced vegetables, meat and other ingredients including freshly grown herbs such as thyme. El Milano Real has it's own wine cellar and the choice is extensive featuring over 400 wines of Spanish origin.
The town of Avila is about 50 minutes away if visiting by car and the Sierra de Gredos is close by for walkers and nature lovers. There is a wild Ibis park within the boundaries of the range and Celtic ruins to be viewed for anyone interested in history. A stroll by the River Tormes is also a pleasant way to spend a few hours.
Other useful information:
The hotel is situated within its own grounds and has ample space for parking cars.
There is a suite for disabled persons on the ground floor and a lift is also in operation.
Pets are not allowed.
Credit cards are accepted; American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Diners
English is spoken as well as Spanish.
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