Uncover the Hidden Gem: Hotel El Doncel, Sigüenza, Spain - Your Dream Escape Awaits!
Uncover the Hidden Gem: Hotel El Doncel, Sigüenza, Spain - Your Dream Escape Awaits! … or Maybe It Does? (A Hot Mess Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a review of Hotel El Doncel that's less polished travel blog and more, well, me after a week of Spanish sun and questionable tapas. Forget the pristine itineraries, we're diving HEADFIRST into the messy, beautiful, occasionally confusing reality of this supposed "dream escape."
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Metadata:
- Title: Hotel El Doncel Review: Sigüenza's Hidden Gem? A Honest (Maybe Messy) Take
- Description: A no-holds-barred review of Hotel El Doncel in Sigüenza, Spain! Is it a dream escape or a beautiful, slightly wonky experience? Accessibility, spa, food, and the all-important Wi-Fi – get the REAL story here.
- Keywords: (See above)
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(NOW, let the rambling begin…)
First things first: Sigüenza. It is GORGEOUS. Like, jaw-droppingly beautiful. Cobblestone streets, a stunning cathedral… it's the kind of place that makes you seriously consider ditching your life and becoming a medieval historian. Which is exactly what I was considering when I booked El Doncel. I was lured in by the promise of "your dream escape." Dream escape, huh? Let's see…
Accessibility: Alright, here's where things get… complicated. The website claimed accessibility. And, to be fair, the lobby and some common areas were decent. They have an elevator (Hallelujah!) and the front desk [24-hour] staff were generally helpful, even if my Spanish is about as good as my interpretive dance. But then you get to the actual rooms… and the pathways to the restaurants which had some tight turns. This is NOT a fully Wheelchair Accessible hotel. I'd call it "partially accessible" if you're being generous. If full Accessibility is a MUST, call ahead and interrogate them ruthlessly. Seriously, question everything. I wish I'd done that before.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: This is tough. Some corridors in the restaurant areas seemed narrow, making navigation tricky.
Rooms and Amenities (The Good, The Bad, and the Weird)
My room? Well, it had an Air conditioning unit that sounded like a dying walrus. And speaking of the room … it had Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. - Honestly, a LOT. It felt like someone threw every possible gadget and comfort into a room and hoped for the best. The Bathtub was AMAZING, I must admit. I'm a sucker for a good soak after a day of exploring the dusty trails. The Desk was perfect for catching up with work. The extra long bed meant I could spread out like a starfish and the Complimentary tea and coffee was a sweet touch. The Mini bar - was… well. Let's just say it had options, some of which I may or may not have "sampled" at 2 am. The Blackout curtains were a lifesaver, because trust me, those Spanish sunrises are brutal.
Cleanliness and Safety: (The "Hopefully They're Doing This Right" Section)
Okay, this is the post-COVID world, so we're all a bit hyper-vigilant about this stuff. Anti-viral cleaning products? Claimed. Daily disinfection in common areas? Hopefully. They seemed to be trying. I saw staff scrubbing things down, and there were Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. Rooms sanitized between stays? One would hope, but you never really KNOW, do you? This is where my anxiety kicks in - I will say I tried not to worry too much when looking for Hand sanitizer in the rooms, but I was happy to see there was some.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Where Things Get Deliciously Complicated)
Oh, the food. Bless their hearts, they tried.
- Restaurants: There's a main restaurant, which is pretty fancy (think linen tablecloths and hushed tones). It had a decent A la carte menu and offered International cuisine in restaurant and Western cuisine in restaurant.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet] was included, and I'm a buffet enthusiast, so I was excited. The Breakfast [buffet] was a mixed bag. There was a great selection of fresh fruit one morning, and then the next, it was… less fresh. The coffee was decent. I loved the Coffee/tea in restaurant and the Coffee shop was a great place to relax. I also took advantage of the Breakfast takeaway service more than once.
- The Bar: Ahhh, the bar. The lifeblood of any good vacation. A decent selection of local wines, and the Poolside bar was a major win. One night, I was enjoying a particularly potent cocktail (a "Doncel Delight", their signature concoction, a mix of who-knows-what) and ended up having a surprisingly deep conversation with the bartender about the existential dread of the Spanish Inquisition. Happy hour was… well, it made me happy. Enough said.
- Snack Bar: The Snack bar was a life saver.
Now, here's where it gets messy. During one of those long, relaxing times in the restaurant at the Poolside bar. I noticed a leak from the pipework in the ceiling. The only thing I did was mention it to the waiter as it dripped ever so slightly on my neck. I was so mortified for them that I let it go.
Spa & Relaxation (The "I Need a Massage After This Review!" Section)
YES. The spa was a definite highlight. The Pool with view was absolutely stunning. The Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom were all available and blissfully relaxing (once you found them.) They also had a range of treatments, including Body scrub and Body wrap. The Massage was exactly what I needed after a week of hauling myself around Sigüenza. The only caveat: booking was a bit confusing. There may have been a language barrier involved. I eventually got my massage though.
Internet Access (The Modern Traveler's Nightmare/Dream)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!… technically. It was a bit… patchy. Internet access – wireless was fine in the lobby and the restaurant. But in my room? Let's just say I spent a fair amount of time staring at the little "buffering" symbol. Internet access – LAN was available but I didn't even bother - it was clearly not going to do the trick. It was a constant source of frustration, this is where, I think my room decorations were probably affected.
Things To Do (Beyond the Hotel):
Sigüenza itself. Explore the cathedral. Wander the streets. Get lost. Eat tapas. Drink wine. Repeat. Not much to do that's hotel-specific. But that's fine, because you came for Sigüenza, right?
Services and Conveniences:
- Cash withdrawal: Yes. Convenient.
- Concierge: Helpful, but not always available.
- Dry cleaning: Yes.
- Elevator: Yes! (Thank the heavens!)
- Laundry service: Provided.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Safety deposit boxes: Available, yes.
- Car park [free of charge]: YES! This is a big win.
Family/Child Friendly? Yes, they have Babysitting service and Kids meal.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: Available, but I didn't use it.
- Car park [on-site]: Free.
- Taxi service: available.
(The Final Verdict: The Dream, and the Hiccups)
So, is
Von Trapp Family Lodge: Escape to the Alps in Vermont!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This is less an itinerary and more a chaotic glimpse into the glorious, rambling mind of a traveler let loose in Hotel El Doncel in Siguenza, Spain. God help me, this might get ugly… and wonderful.
The Hotel El Doncel & Siguenza: A Hot Mess of Beauty (and Possibly Croissant Addiction)
Day 1: Arrival & the First Crumbling Impression
10:00 AM (ish): ARRIVAL. Let's be real, getting off a stuffy train after 8 hours is NOT the breezy, elegant arrival I pictured. Picture a sweaty me, wrestling a too-big suitcase and praying the cobblestone streets of Siguenza don’t eat my ankles. Found the hotel… and promptly nearly walked past it. It’s gorgeous, don’t get me wrong, all ancient stone and promise of deliciousness, but it's also nestled in a way that could easily be mistaken for a hidden medieval lair. Which, honestly, sets the tone.
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Check-in Attempt. Speaking of getting eaten… reception is like a time warp. The front desk guy, bless his heart, speaks like a rapid Spanish hailstorm. My Spanish? Barely enough to order a beer, which is, frankly, the most important phrase. Managed to communicate, I think, my name… I hope I'm not booked under "The Woman Who Looks Like She Needs a Nap".
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Room Reveal & the Great Bedding Debacle. Okay, the room. My room. It's HUGE. And… I swear, it has a soul. Rough stone walls, a ridiculously high arched ceiling, and a window that looks out onto… well, I think it's a church bell tower. Bells! At least, I hope it’s a church, I’m not very good at reading maps, or judging distance. And did I mention the bed? It’s enormous, with what looks like a mountain of pillows. My inner child squealed. My inner adult, however, noticed the lack of air conditioning. We'll get to that later…
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch at the Hotel Restaurant. Oh, the restaurant! Picture a dining room out of a fairytale. So. Much. Velvet. And the food… started with the bread. The bread alone could happily be my entire life. Crusty on the outside, soft like a cloud on the inside. I may have eaten three slices. Don't judge. Followed by some local sausage and something that vaguely resembled a green vegetable, which I ate under duress for nutritional purposes. Then… the main course: ROAST CHICKEN! So delicious. I was in heaven, I might have drooled a little.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Exploration of Siguenza's Plaza Mayor(ish). Got lost. Multiple times. Siguenza is charming, which is code for "labyrinthine". The Plaza Mayor is gorgeous… and full of pigeons. I have a complicated relationship with pigeons. Admired the architecture. Probably walked in a circle. Took way too many pictures that all look the same. Tried to buy a map but failed. My sense of direction is… questionable. But that’s okay, right? Who needs a map when you have… the general direction of the hotel?
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: SIGH. Napping, attempting to nap, failing to nap. That whole "lack of air conditioning" thing? Yeah. My room is basically a stone oven. Kept the window open, but that just allowed the birds to have a party with the town bells. I'm not sure what's worse, the heat or the non-stop bells. Honestly, I might be losing it a bit.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Attempting the “Walk Around the City Wall”. That’s what the guidebook said. But the heat… and the slight fear of getting lost again… Yeah, I’m thinking a slow, contemplative beer at a cafe instead. And maybe a siesta if the bells allow me to.
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner at the Hotel. Steak. So much steak. More bread. I need to learn to pace myself (I won't). The wine? Flowing. The feeling of contentment? Absolute. I may or may not have flirted with the waiter. He was kind. And handsome. And spoke Spanish. I probably babbled nonsense. Oh well.
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Trying to read. The book is the best part of the trip, it’s like entering another world. But the room is still hot. The birds are still singing their little birdy songs. The bells are still chiming, chiming, chiming…. I’m seriously considering moving the mattress down to the lobby.
10:00 PM ONWARD: Curled up in bed, sweating, cursing the sun, the lack of AC, the delightful bells, the adorable birds, and the fact that I’m probably going to be awake all night. Tomorrow… tomorrow, is when I'm going to conquer the world. Or, at the very least, figure out how to sleep.
Day 2: Conquering… Breakfast (Finally!)
8:00 AM: FINALLY. Breakfast. The buffet! Oh, sweet, cheesy goodness. The croissanteria is a highlight. The coffee is thick, bold, and life-giving. Spent an embarrassing amount of time hovering over the fresh fruit. I may have tried to sneak a croissant into my bag. Don't tell.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Cathedral. Oh my god. The cathedral. A cathedral. I tried to do some research (before I arrived) so I could sound smart, but it was so old it’s like you’re walking into history. Spent an hour just staring at the vaulted ceilings. Then I spent another hour trying to find a way to the tomb of the Doncel…. And got completely sidetracked by all the gorgeous artwork. I forgot the Doncel. But oh well. There was something I loved more, the peace and quiet and a tiny bit of magic.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Rest . The heat is relentless, I'll head back to the hotel and prepare to leave tomorrow. I'm considering to go on a train to new countries.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch at the Hotel Restaurant. Chicken again.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Checking out
Final Thoughts:
El Doncel. Siguenza. A whirlwind of ancient beauty, delicious food, questionable sleep, and a whole lot of charm. It’s imperfect. It’s messy. It’s… wonderful. The lack of AC? Yeah, that sucked. The bells drove me borderline insane. But would I go back? In a heartbeat. Because sometimes, the mess is the magic. And the bread? That bread. I still dream of it.
This isn't a perfectly planned vacation, it's a real trip - with all the good and bad stuff. And isn't that the whole point of being alive, anyway?
P.S. If you see a woman wandering around Siguenza muttering about croissants and church bells, that's probably me. Say hi.
Unbelievable Views! Le Castillan, Alpe d'Huez: Your Dream French Escape Awaits
Okay, Spill the Tea: Is Hotel El Doncel REALLY as magical as the pictures?
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because the answer is… complicated. The pictures? Yeah, they're gorgeous. Cobblestone streets, that fancy courtyard with the fountain, the imposing facade… yeah, the *vibe* is definitely there. But you gotta understand, this ain't a perfectly manicured, cookie-cutter hotel. This is Sigüenza. This is old. This is… well, let's just say things don't always run like Swiss clockwork. My first thought? "Whoa, someone actually *lives* here?!" And let's be honest, I *did* have a bit of a "Where's the Wi-Fi?" moment upon arrival (more on THAT in a bit). But the *magic*? Yeah, it's there. It's woven into the fabric of the building, into the slightly wonky doors and the creaking floors. You just gotta lean into the imperfection. It's like… a slightly dusty diamond. Still sparkles, but it *feels* real.
Wi-Fi Woes & Other Modern-Day Monsters: What's the Deal with the Tech?
Okay, so the Wi-Fi. Let's be real, if you're a digital nomad or addicted to your phone, prepare to embrace the slow lane. It's...functional. Sometimes. Remember those old dial-up modems? It's like a slightly faster version of that. I tried to upload a photo of the *amazing* view from my room on Insta, and it took… like, an hour. An HOUR! I almost threw my phone out the window. (Kidding! Mostly.) But honestly? It forced me to unplug. To *look* around. To actually *talk* to the other guests, who were, by the way, lovely. So, bring a book. Actually, bring *several* books. And maybe… a phone with a really good camera, so you can admire the views without immediately needing to share them. That view though... worth the wait. (See? Imperfection, I'm coping!)
The Food! The Food! Tell Me About the Food! (Because food is life, obviously)
Oh. My. GOD. The food. Okay, so the breakfast buffet wasn't the most *lavish* spread I've ever seen (I’ve been spoiled, I know). But honestly? It was *perfect*. Freshly baked bread, local cheese, the most amazing jam I've ever tasted… and the *coffee*. Strong, black, and delicious. Breakfast, for me, is the most important meal of the day, especially right after the night, which for me is always the most important part of the day, and the coffee was a perfect start. And dinner? Oh, dinner… (clears throat, dramatically). We ate in the hotel restaurant (yes, it's worth it). I got the roast lamb, *because you HAVE TO*! It's like, a pilgrimage to Sigüenza without eating lamb. It was cooked to perfection (a bit on the rare side, which I loved), and the service was… well, let's say charmingly slow. But the wine list? Amazing. Don't rush it. Savor it. You're in Spain, people. Embrace the *siesta* mentality! Just don't forget to order that cake. Seriously, it's heavenly!
The Rooms: Cozy Castle Suites or Cramped Cave? What's the Room Situation?
The rooms… Okay, so I'm going to be honest. I'm a bit of a princess when it comes to hotels (sorry, not sorry). I've stayed in places that were so modern they felt sterile, so I was a bit worried about the rooms. But I was pleasantly surprised. They vary, of course. Some are *huge*, with actual fireplaces, some are a bit more… compact. I got a room with a view of the cathedral, and it was breathtaking. And while it wasn't exactly a five-star suite, it was clean, comfortable, and full of character. The beds were comfy, the bathrooms functional (thank goodness for hot water), and the whole vibe was like… sleeping in a history book. Which is cool, right?! Just be prepared for the occasional creak and groan from the old building. Adds to the charm, really. Eventually!
What's There to DO in Sigüenza Besides, You Know, Just *Being* There?
Okay, okay, I get it. You can't just *be* somewhere for a week and not… DO things, right? Well, Sigüenza is perfect for a slower pace. The Cathedral is a must-see, obviously. It’s magnificent. Seriously, prepare to have your jaw drop. Wander the old town, get lost in the tiny streets, and soak up the atmosphere. There are some lovely little shops. The *Plaza Mayor* is gorgeous, and you can just sit and drink coffee and watch the world go by. We took a lovely day trip to a nearby winery (the local wine is delicious). I, however, opted for the 'siesta' option after. The region is gorgeous, seriously, think of it as a beautiful, unpretentious Spain. It's not a wild, party town, thank goodness. It’s all about history, culture, and… well, relaxing. And eating lamb. Did I mention the lamb?
The Staff: Charming or Challenging? What's the Service Like?
The staff… Ah, now we're getting to the heart of the matter. The people are fantastic! They're not always on-the-ball speedy, but they're genuinely warm and friendly. They speak enough English to get by (my Spanish isn't *amazing*). They are welcoming. There were moments when I felt like I was being *welcomed into a family*, not just a hotel. Which is… nice, if you like that sort of thing. It's not like a super-slick, impersonal hotel chain. It's a family-run business. It’s a little more… casual. They're helpful, and they clearly care about the hotel and the guests. Just, maybe, don't expect instant room service at 3 AM. But honestly, it's part of the charm. It’s real. And sometimes, that's WAY better than perfect.
Hidden Gems Within the Gem? The Extra Secret Stuff!
Okay, so here’s a *secret*. The hotel actually has a hidden courtyard. I stumbled upon it by accident (because I got lost, naturally). It's a tranquil oasis, with a fountain and some comfy chairs. Perfect for reading a book (see, I told you to bring them!) or just contemplating life. Another secret? They have a little gift shop. Okay, it's not much of a shop, but there are some lovely local finds. I bought some honey and some ceramics. And the best part? I found a book about the history of the castle. That’s what really sold it to me. Because the history is the real hidden gem in this entire trip. And it's everywhere!
