Accommodation listing for Hostal Restaurante Méndez "El Guardia" in Villafranca del Bierzo on Frances.
Address: Calle Espíritu Santo, 1, Villafranca del Bierzo
Phone: 987 54 00 55
Website: http://www.restaurantemendez.com/
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Had a perfect stay and meal. Room was clean and quiet, with a great view over the river. Reception was very friendly and dinner was just perfect, from service to quality of ingredients and execution. Only comment is the bath in the room is odd & somewhat dangerous-would be good to put a warning so no one hurts themself
Review for restaurant* quality of food and price of food was mediocre for pilgrims. I would not recommend. Service was good.
Good service with restaurant. Clean room. Reasonable price
Like others, strangest, unpleasant experience here. Top-line: very rude, guests left rather than tolerate the attitude of staff. Town full of better options. So, the review. Not permitted to sit until 1930, so there was a crowed in the small reception area, and no menu for Pilgrims to consider in advance of being seated. At being seated, there was an attempt to sit four separate groups at one large circular table, as ‘smaller tables were for guests of the hotel’. Strange, but fine. That sort of thing is not unusual in a albergue, but seemed inappropriate in a hotel. Baffled guests, some not pilgrims, queried this and it was not forced. I can only speak English, much to my shame, but the person who came over to read the menu off a slip of paper was strangely reluctant to state the options in english, despite having spoke before and knowing I could not understand otherwise. Unfortunately I cannot eat gluten, and upon explaining this, there was a deep sense of impatience that made me feel uncomfortable. Anyone with dietary requirements will know how this feels. The menu was read hastily, I was not permitted to consider my options, or to take a photograph of the hand written menu so I could consider choices. Indeed, it was refused rudely, ‘I am busy’. This was pretty loud, others frowning at the exchange. Feeling a little offended and unsure of the restaurant, I explained, with an apology, I best find elsewhere. Another rude comment. Looking at other reviews, it seems this is typical if you are not a guest, I noticed others leave rather than accept the strange treatment. In a Camino full of fantastic experiences, this stands out. Avoid, I’m afraid, especially if you have any dietary requirements. Buen camino and I hope this doesn’t happen to you!
Casa Méndez is located right on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela at the exit of Villafranca del Bierzo. The room was small but well equipped and the bathroom as well. Actually the bathroom had the luxury of a jet shower but unfortunately the setting knob did not function properly. Contrary to their website, no hairdryer was available. The excellence of Casa Méndez is however the restaurant: they serve a very good and reasonably priced pilgrim menu and the breakfast is of a hotel level, far better than the average hostal. Service is kind and efficient. Recommended.
