The Ronda Valley Hotel (known to us locals as the Hotel Don Benito) shut suddenly the other day without notice. Nobody seemed to know why.
We knew it was due to close on January 15th for reasons which weren't quite clear, but why all of a sudden in early December? Something must be going on …..
[Andalucia.org]
What's going on?
Rumours abounded:
- the current tenants' rental arrangement had been cancelled unilaterally;
- the lease was up for grabs;
- the hotel was for sale;
- the kitchen had failed its hygiene check;
- the building had been condemned and it was to be demolished.
[OTYPO]
For many locals, Spanish and foreign alike, this was a disaster. We had been spending time and money there for years, and now ….. ? What would we do? Where would we go?
Other hostelries nearby don't currently fit the bill.
Hotel Molino del Puente is shut for three months. - Hotel Perla Blanca - we don't even know if it's functioning at the moment.
- Venta El Puente only opens half the week.
- Venta La Vega only does breakfast and lunch and shuts on Thursdays.
- Venta El Polvorilla only serves breakfast and lunch.
- Venta El Pelistre isn't always open either.
- Hotel Molino del Arco is only open for residents.
El Polvorilla [www.sluurpy.es]
And next?
If my informant is telling the truth (I think he is - he's the new owner!), I know what's going to happen - from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
The new owner, David Garcia, has already been to the notary and the hotel is his from December 15th. He wanted to do some work on the premises, and hoped to open before Christmas, in order to benefit from hotel room bookings, bar takings, tapas and meals, etc.
However, there was more to do than he thought, so my latest understanding is that they are looking at a mid-January grand re-opening as the Hotel Don Manuel
Mural in the public bar [Expedia], now sadly gone
David intends to visit local homes and businesses to introduce himself and to invite the locals to the grand re-opening night (whenever that is) to enjoy free drinks and tapas.
My drinking buddies and I are looking forward to that.
Action Plan for the Don Benito
I had a few ideas about what could be done to improve the "offer", which I discussed with David. He agrees.
give the bedrooms a makeover. They are a bit dated, basic and shabby. Once the renovation is completed the hotel could "up" its prices. 30 € a night for a double room off-season is way too cheap.
[Central de Reservas]
- adjust the horario of the restaurant. 7.00 - 10.30 would be welcomed by the very many hotel guests from Northern Europe, USA and Canada.
- introduce tapas at the bar.
- hold a monthly live music event on the terrace or in the function room.
[YouTube]
In the meantime ..... ?
On a recent Thursday night Rita and I tried out the new Las Maravillas in Ronda. Just as good, if not better than the larger and original version on Calle La Bola.
The original Las Maravillas [Trip Advisor]
The next couple of nights I went to Venta El Puente. On Friday night, the whole crowd from the Ronda Valley Hotel was there.
Last night I sat with Liz and Rob and their two-year-old little girl. Hadn't seen them for a while, so we had a good catch-up.
I've also been using El Pelistre in Llano de la Cruz. A grand re-discovery. See here.
As for the Hotel Don Manuel, we await its re-opening with bated breath .....
Links:
Another - new – Ronda Valley
Only Joe King
Ronda Valley Hotel to close? F**k!
Venta El Pelistre
© Paul Whitelock
Pictures:
Atrapalo, Central de Reservas, Expedia, Instagram, Karl Smallman, OTYPO, Secret Serrania, Trip Advisor, www.sluurpy.es,YouTube
Thanks:
David Garcia, Las Maravillas, Paul Whitelock, Venta El Puente
Tags:
Atrapalobar takings Central de Reservas Expedia Hotel Don Benito Hotel Molino del Arco Hotel Molino del Puente Hotel Perla Blanca Instagram Karl Smallman meals Only Joe King OTYPO Paul Whitelock Ronda Valley Hotel room bookings Secret Serrania tapas Trip Advisor Venta El Pelistre Venta El Polvorilla Venta El Puente Venta La Vega www.sluurpy.es YouTube