Uncover Spain's Hidden Gem: Hostal del Priorat Sant Miquel Awaits!
Unearthing the Soul of Priorat: A Raw & Revealing Review of Hostal del Priorat Sant Miquel
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your glossy, sanitized travel blog. I'm gonna spill the vino (and maybe a little bit of my own drama) on Hostal del Priorat Sant Miquel. I just got back from a trip to this tucked-away corner of Spain, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. Let’s dive in, shall we?
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First Impressions & Accessibility: The Good… And the… Well, Let's Call it "Character"
Finding this place was half the adventure! Nestled in the heart of Priorat, it’s like the world just melts away. But getting there? Let's just say my rental car and I had a moment on those winding mountain roads. Warning to the uninitiated: the last stretch is not for the faint of heart (or the squeamish about heights!).
Accessibility: Okay, truth time. This place, while charming, isn’t perfectly geared for everyone. Wheelchair accessible? Yes, in some areas! The main entrance and some of the communal areas are navigable. But the cobblestone streets around the hotel, the uneven terrain… let's just say it requires some planning and maybe some assistance. They do have an elevator, which is a Godsend, but it's one of those charmingly vintage models that seems to have a personality of its own. I'd advise calling ahead to confirm specifics about rooms, especially if accessibility is a primary concern.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: I didn't have to test them and I didn't see any, however it doesn't mean they don't exist, so I suggest inquiring beforehand if accessibility is for you.
Rooms & Amenities: Where Comfort Meets Rustic Charm (Sometimes)
My room? Let’s be honest, I wasn’t expecting the Ritz-Carlton. But the views! Oh, the views! Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathtub, Bathrobes, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Shower, Slippers, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. The bed was comfy, but those blackout curtains were a lifesaver, because those sunrises here are seriously intense. I loved the free Wi-Fi, because, you know, gotta Instagram that stunning scenery! Internet access [LAN] was available too, for those who need it. The bathrooms were clean, although the water pressure was… well, let’s just say I’ve had more powerful showers. There's also the satellite/cable channels.
Here's where it got messy: During my stay, the soundproofing wasn't the best. You could hear the conversations in the hall, which, when you're trying to sleep in, is less than ideal. I also found the refrigerator a bit noisy, which was annoying, but the mini-bar contents were surprisingly decent, including a bottle of local wine… Score! Though, I kind of wish they’d replace the carpet – just a personal gripe, but it felt a bit dated. I was so happy that everyday the room was perfectly cleaned. Also, the ironing facilities were important given the long trip.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Rollercoaster
Oh, the food. The Asian breakfast was totally something new for me, and the Western breakfast was top-notch. You can also order from the A la carte in restaurant. There was also a Breakfast [buffet] as well as a Buffet in restaurant. The Soup in restaurant was incredible. I found myself spending a lot of time at the Poolside bar. The Happy hour was fun, with the local wines being a real highlight. The Coffee shop was a nice touch for a quick caffeine fix. I also ate at the Vegetarian restaurant. The Snack bar, if you needed something fast. I'd also suggest trying the the Desserts in restaurant. Restaurants were a plus, you can also order Room service [24-hour].
The wine list (of course!) was extensive, showcasing the region’s renowned Priorat wines. The Coffee/tea in restaurant came handy. However, I wanted to try the other Asian cuisine in restaurant. I was unable too and I'm still a little sad about it.
The thing I really wasn’t a fan of was: One evening, the service was incredibly slow. I waited ages for my main course. And then, when it finally arrived, it wasn’t what I ordered! The staff were (mostly) lovely, but there were definitely some kinks to be ironed out.
Ways to Relax & Things to Do: Pampering, Pools, and Priorat Panoramas
This is where Hostal del Priorat really shines. The Swimming pool [outdoor] is absolutely divine. Swimming there while looking at all the vines was like a dream. This also comes with a Pool with view. I took full advantage of the Sauna and the Steamroom. The Spa, as well as the Spa/sauna and the Fitness center, were incredible. I definitely recommend getting a Body scrub and a Massage, because… well, self-care! The Foot bath was also a relaxing treat.
Here's my big confession: The Gym/fitness I avoided because I was in vacation.
Outside of the hotel? You're in Priorat! Things to do: Explore the vineyards (obviously!), hike in the hills, visit charming villages and, of course, indulge in more wine tasting.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Post-Pandemic Perspective (Mostly)
In these post-pandemic days, you gotta be vigilant. The hotel seemed to be taking things seriously. They had Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff were wearing masks. They do Daily disinfection in common areas, also, the Staff trained in safety protocol. I didn't see them doing the Room sanitization opt-out available, or the Rooms sanitized between stays. I do think this is a positive thing, since that means they take care of the rooms. All the other safety features were available and working: First aid kit, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property.
Here's where I got a little skeptical: I’m not entirely sure how effective the Anti-viral cleaning products were, but the hotel seemed clean enough. I didn't see any Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. I do wish they had the Shared stationery removed, because that would have been a simple decision.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
The hotel offers a range of services, including: Air conditioning in public area, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Terrace, Xerox/fax in business center.
The little things that totally sold me: First, it was a Cashless payment service, a great thing. I also liked the Breakfast in room.
However: The Car park [on-site] was free, which is a bonus. The Car power charging station I'm pretty sure they did not have, but I'm not entirely sure. I also thought the Smoking area could have been a bit better.
For the Kids: Family Friendly?
I didn't travel with kids, but the hotel seems to be Family/child friendly. They had Kids facilities for them, and a Babysitting service. Kids meal was also available.
Getting Around: Navigating Priorat
Airport transfer was available. Car park [free of charge] was included, but as mentioned. Car park [on-site] offered more convenience. The Taxi service could get you where you needed to go. Valet parking, as well. Bicycle parking was a plus, perfect for exploring the area!
In-Room Essentials & Extras (The Nitty Gritty)
I mentioned most before, but: **Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes
Sheraton Suites Philly Airport: Your Luxurious Gateway to the City!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. We're going to Hostal del Priorat Sant Miquel, Spain, and trust me, it's gonna be a rollercoaster of wine, wrong turns, and maybe a minor existential crisis or two. This is less a structured plan, and more a… well, a highly-caffeinated suggestion. Consider yourself warned.
Day 1: Arrival & The Glorious Disappointment of Airport Coffee (and the Start of my Wine Obsession, Let's Be Honest)
Morning: Fly in. Ugh, the airport. Always the same. The sterile lights, the stressed faces, the desperate hunt for an outlet to charge my phone (because, priorities). Land in Barcelona. Immediately regret not bringing more snacks. Airport coffee? A watery crime against humanity. I swear, it's engineered to taste like sadness.
Afternoon: Train to Tarragona. Okay, the train actually works. Win! Settle in, stare out the window. Spain feels different already. The air is…thicker? More fragrant? Probably just the anticipation of actual good food. We will go to Hostal del Priorat Sant Miquel.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Arrive at Hostal del Priorat Sant Miquel. Okay, this place…wow. Tiny, charming, cobbled streets. Breathe it in. It's perfect. Except…I'm already hungry. And maybe a little overwhelmed. Gotta check in. The owner seems… well, he speaks a language. I think. Finally get the key. Holy cow, the room is cute! And I think I need a nap.
Evening: Dinner at the Hostal. Honestly, I’m a sucker for places like this. It's got an old-world charm, right? Then the food arrived, and OMG. We're not talking pretentious plates, just honest-to-goodness, flavour-packed dishes. I'm not usually a huge fan of the red, but the wine was incredible. And by incredible, I mean I may or may not have polished off the entire bottle. No regrets. Okay, maybe a few. It's all a blur of tapas, laughter, and the sudden, overwhelming desire to learn Spanish. This wine is dangerous…but wonderful.
Day 2: Exploring the Priorat & the Curse of the Google Maps Glitch
Morning: Decide to be adventurous. This involved breakfast (decent!), then trying to navigate the area. Rent a car - hopefully don't crash. Try to find a local winery… Apparently, my phone and Google Maps think I'm qualified to navigate this region. Wrong. We wound up on a dirt track, convinced we were about to tumble into a ravine. Screamed a lot. Laughed (eventually).
Afternoon: Finally, finally, find a winery. Celler de Capçanes. This place is pure magic. The vineyards, the sun, the air…and the wine, oh the wine! Spent hours there, tasting, talking, and feeling like a total expert in something. (In reality, I know nothing, but hey, the wine tasted good!). This feeling when you know what you're doing, then you don't.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Back to Hostal del Priorat Sant Miquel. I feel like I need to soak it all in. I actually felt safe in the narrow streets. I'm falling in love with this place.
Evening: Back to the bar to recover from the trip. It's time to make some friends, a little relaxed conversation is needed for a good night's sleep.
Night: Realizing I'm more of a wine expert than I thought I was.
Day 3: The Monastery, the Mountain, and the Sudden Urge to Buy a Goat (Probably the Wine Talking)
Morning: Feeling surprisingly good. Maybe the wine hangover wasn't as bad as I thought. Head to the monastery of Scala Dei. Wow. Breathtaking. So quiet, so peaceful. I walked around in a daze, suddenly considering the contemplative life. And then my stomach rumbled. Okay, focus.
Afternoon: Hiking. Yes, hiking. Up a mountain. It seemed like a good idea at the time. The views were incredible, but the climb was… a bit much. Sweaty, breathless, and questioning all my life choices. Almost gave up. But then, the view. Holy moly. Worth it.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Back down the mountain, legs like jelly, and craving the wine. This whole trip is just an excuse to drink wine. Also, go to the local shop and ponder buying a goat. I'm pretty sure it was the wine.
Evening: Dinner. Maybe another bottle of wine? Sure, why not! I feel almost like I live here.
Day 4: Departure & the Vow to Return (and Bring a Goat?)
- Morning: Sad to leave. Seriously, I could easily live here. Have one last coffee, soak up the atmosphere, take a bunch of photos (half of which will be blurry). Pack my bags. Say goodbye to the host. Promise to return.
- Afternoon: Head to Barcelona, train to the airport. Feeling a mix of contentment and profound sadness. Already planning my return trip.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Fly home. Reflect. Realize I've fallen in love with this place. I'm already looking up return flights. Also, I think I might actually buy a goat. Or at least start a serious wine cellar.
- Night: Back home and my brain tries to process the experience.
Things I Learned (Or Maybe Just Reinforced):
- Never trust Google Maps in rural Spain.
- Wine is the answer to everything.
- I need to learn Spanish.
- I might be a little bit in love with Hostal del Priorat Sant Miquel.
- Goats are surprisingly cute.
This is, of course, just a suggestion. Go with the flow. Get lost. Drink the wine. Embrace the mess. And for the love of all that is holy, take your camera and get a decent charger. You don't want to miss capturing those moments, even if they are a little blurry due to the wine.
Escape to Paradise: Tomjachu Bush Retreat Awaits in Nelspruit!
Uncover Spain's Hidden Gem: Hostal del Priorat Sant Miquel Awaits! (FAQ - With Feeling!)
Okay, so, *what* is this Hostal del Priorat Sant Miquel place anyway? Is it... a castle? A dungeon? Please tell me it's not just another boring hotel.
Alright, settling in, are we? Listen, it's NOT a dungeon (thank god, claustrophobia is a REAL issue). Imagine this: rolling hills of vineyards (seriously, *vineyards*!), a tiny village clinging to the side of a mountain, and tucked away in the heart of it all, the Hostal. It's actually a beautifully restored building, probably old, probably with a story, definitely NOT sterile. Think cozy, think rustic, think... *genuine*. It's not fancy, okay? The towels might not be the thickest you've ever felt, but the *vibe*? Unbeatable. It's where you go to escape the hordes and actually *feel* like you’re in Spain, not just a tourist trap. I got there after a frankly disastrous flight (never fly RyanAir, seriously, never), and just walking in the door, smelling the air... total reset.
Sounds nice… but is it *actually* hidden? Like, do I need a Sherpa and a team of archaeologists to find it?
"Hidden" in the sense it’s not swamped with mega-tourists, yes. You won't find coach tours pulling up. The journey is part of the fun, honestly. I drove, and let me tell you, the sat-nav was losing its mind at some points. Narrow roads, hairpin turns… I swear I saw a goat give me the side-eye at one point. But listen: if *I* can find it, you can. And trust me, the views from the approach roads are worth the white knuckles. Seriously, the air changes. The stress melts away. It’s like the world hits “pause.” And that’s *before* you even check in! Just be warned, though: phone signal? Spotty. Which, honestly, might be the best part. Unplug people! UnPLUG!
What's the food like? Because bad food can ruin a vacation faster than a grumpy toddler.
Right, the vital info. Forget your Michelin stars, okay? This is proper, honest-to-goodness Catalan cooking. Think hearty stews, fresh bread, local wine that practically pours itself. Honestly, the food was one of the *highlights*. The first night I had this stew, so rich, so flavorful... I wanted to lick the bowl clean. And the wine! They make their own, of course. I may have sampled… extensively. The breakfast is simple, but perfect: crusty bread, beautiful jam (seriously, the *jam*!), and strong coffee. Don't expect a massive buffet, think more like a home cooked meal. Okay, maybe not your *home* cooked meal… probably better.
Is it kid-friendly? I have small humans. Small, *loud* humans.
This is where things get… tricky. I saw a few families, but let's be real: it's not a dedicated kiddie paradise. The village is small, so there's not a ton of structured things to do for kids. There's no pool, no kids club. My gut feeling? If your kids are easily bored, demanding constant entertainment, or prone to ear-splitting meltdowns… maybe consider somewhere else. If your kids are little explorers, keen to build dens outside and don't mind a bit of down time, probably great. It all depends on the kids, honestly. There’s the whole experience to be had, so maybe they are fine on a long trip.
I actually witnessed one family. Little Timmy was running around at dinner, being "a natural explorer", while everyone was trying to have a conversation (that's when the coffee came in handy). So, yeah, think carefully.
What's there to *do*? Besides, you know, just sitting around and staring at vineyards? (Which, admittedly, sounds pretty good.)
Okay, so the vineyards ARE awesome, but there's more! Hiking, for sure. I did this amazing trail one day, it was tough, but the views... woah. Breathtaking. There's a monastery nearby, which is cool, and you can explore the other little villages in the Priorat region. Wine tasting, obviously! And if you're feeling adventurous, you can drive to Tarragona or Barcelona (but be warned, the drive up to Barcelona is long!). My top tip? Just wander. Get lost. Chat to the locals (even if your Spanish is terrible, miming goes a long way!). Discovering hidden gems on your own... that's the real fun.
Tell me about a specific experience. One that really sticks out.
Oh, man… okay, so there's this one evening. I was sitting on the terrace. Sun was setting, painting the sky in these unbelievable colors. I had a glass of red wine, a book I’d been meaning to read for months, and this feeling… of pure, unadulterated *peace*. And then, a little black cat sauntered up, rubbed against my leg, and just… stayed. It sat there, purring, for like, an hour. I named her “Català.” (Okay, maybe not the most original name, but I was feeling sentimental!). Then the staff brought out some olives, some local sausage… honestly, it was perfect. The stars came out. I *forgot* about emails, work stress, everything. It was just me, the cat, the wine, and the silence. I even started to read! And the cat liked my book. I think I stayed there till after midnight. It was so perfect it kinda felt surreal! It's those little moments – just being still, being present – that you remember long after you've left. That's the magic of Hostal del Priorat Sant Miquel. Seriously, I still get goosebumps thinking about it. That cat…she knew. She *knew*.
Sounds… expensive?
Nope! Not at all. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s definitely not budget-backpacking territory, but it's also not going to break the bank. It's what I would call "reasonably priced". Good value. You're paying for the experience, the location, and the whole unpretentious vibe. It is, in my opinion, worth every single penny and way better than the generic hotels.
