Hotel El Turcal

“A dream to be part of”

Last year we have been to Extremadura for the first time. We loved it so much we needed to return. Our favorite type of hotel is small and private owned. We like the direct personal contact with the owners or a small group of staff. So we searched the area of La Vera and the Sierra de Gredos for... more

Last year we have been to Extremadura for the first time. We loved it so much we needed to return. Our favorite type of hotel is small and private owned. We like the direct personal contact with the owners or a small group of staff. So we searched the area of La Vera and the Sierra de Gredos for a stay. We found El Turcal and reserved a room online. But as you know, you'll never know in which state you'll find the hotel when you get there. El Turcal was easy to find, although the driveway to the parking is a small exit from a countryroad. You can see the hotel on the hill about a minutes drive from Torremenga. It is a old barn or stable, which was converted into one of the most light-flooded and inviting places I have seen. It still has its stonehouse, fortress-like character, but that combined with steel and glass makes it an unbelievable mixture of cosiness and modern architecture. Outside you are expected by Nut, the owners dog. The friendliest sixteen-year-old dog you can imagine. Inside the hotel both Carmen and Alberto are heartwarmingly taking care of all your needs. We are constantly asking them about walking tours, things to see and they kept surprising us with another good recommendation. Breakfast prepared by Alberto was a surprise. Usually you get that sweet, convenient breakfast in Spain or bread, tomato and olive oil. What you get here is very tasty. The breakfast has homemade marmelade, homemade cake, croissant or brioche, a small slice of fresh fruit and for example tortilla. The breakfast combination is changed almost every day. Dinner is also prepared by Alberto, who gave us an impression on his cooking skills. The three course meal was tasty; the recommended wine was very good. There is a picturebook in the hotel that shows the process of constructing El Turcal. It is named "A dream come true" and it still marvels me how much compassion and vision Carmen and Alberto had to drag that dream into reality. To feel that and to be invited into their dream has been a great honour for us. When we left to return to the airport and our hometown we left with a tear in the eye. El Turcal is one of the places to return to.

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