Hostal Del Espinillo — Hotel in Dolores

Although some 8 years old, this picturesquely located hotel, in front of the Rio Salvador, presented a modern and well kept appearance, with perfectly maintained gardens and flower beds adding to the attraction.||Despite the appalling access from Montevideo on route 105, and its 36 kilometers of potholes, (there are alternative routes) we were however glad we made the detour for an overnight stop,and when we saw the fine swimming pool, especially inviting on a hot day, regretted not being able to stay longer for further relaxation.||Our room was spacious and the bed very comfortable, a most important detail after a long journey. Dining options on site were basic but the hotel has an arrangement and a 10% discount with an excellent and creative nearby restaurant , CARAMORA, which we took advantage of and can highly recommend. ||Dolores suffered a devastating tornado which ripped through the centre of town (distant from the hotel) in April of this year and although there is not a lot to see , the very helpful receptionist Andres, recommended a visit to nearby Villa Soriano, some 20 kilometers away on the south bank of the Rio Negro and of historical interest as the first permanent European settlement on Uruguayan soil, dating from 1624.||Pricing is reasonable and there is covered (free) parking...

We approached from Mercedes so never actually saw the town as we spotted a sign indicating we had to turn right into a park along a river. ||The guy on reception was very efficient and our rooms were along a corridor to the right. The ceilings are really high and the rooms very generous in size. However I found the single bed rather hard and if I had found this earlier, I would have requested a topper. Outside there is an attractive garden with a pool and about 8 sun loungers. Next to this is the spa room and in here was a massage chair which my husband and daughter tried out!! ||We decided to eat in which maybe wasn't the best idea as we realised there was a staff shortage because the guy on reception became our waiter so we wonder who became the cook. We chose the same steak and veg as a family of four who had ordered before us as their meals looked fine but ours didn't match up in that our broccoli in garlic portion was about half the size of theirs ( we're they running short??) and our steaks were much slimmer( and over cooked) ||Breakfast was the usual Uruguayan cereals, breads and cakes. ||Shame we had to leave early to go to Fray Bentos because we could have spent longer relaxing by the pool or walking...

I would never again go in Winter. air conditionate was not working. Rooms very cold. did not have enough blankets. water was cold since the sistem was not working and of course they did not alerted us over this issue. we paid full price and got a cold place to sleep without being able to even have a shower since water was freezing. 4 stars hotel??? I would give it a 2 only. it is not in front of the ocean or has a beach. It is located in front of the river. we had to move from room to room in order to find an air conditionate that was better working because of lack of maintainance. it is obvious that they advertise it as a luxury hotel, but because of lack of maintainance they should be downgraded. The spa was outside of the hotel and freezing cold...we did not try it because if the water in the room was cold, I could not imagine something outside the hotel with -3C sensation. the stars rating are misleading. the room is nice but without services it...