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Summary of reviewsEl Pontifical, set in a beautifully restored historic building in a charming village just outside Madrid, offers a serene retreat away from the hustle and bustle. The hotel boasts magnificent views and an exceptional restaurant that garners high praise for its delightful and delicious dishes. While access to El Pontifical can be challenging due to narrow and steep streets, the provided private parking mitigates some of these difficulties.
The breakfast at El Pontifical is frequently lauded for its quality, described as delicious and homemade with a good variety of options including natural juice, toast, fruit and sweets. However, some guests feel that it starts too late and could be more cost-effective. Despite these minor concerns, the attentive and kind service enhances the overall breakfast experience.
Dinner at the hotel's restaurant is a standout experience, set in atmospheric converted caves, providing a cozy and charming ambiance. The food is praised for its excellence with particular acknowledgment of the tasting menu's quality and value. Staff attention and service are commendable, contributing to a delightful dining experience accompanied by marvelous music.
The rooms exude charm and character with tasteful decor and modern amenities set against a rustic backdrop. Guests appreciate the cleanliness, comfort and thoughtful touches such as complimentary coffee and water. While some found the rooms slightly small and noted minor lighting issues, these were outweighed by the overall comfort and coziness provided.
Guests consistently praise the hotel's staff for their friendliness and exceptional service with standout mentions for Béatrice and the manager. The warm-hearted and attentive service significantly enhances the guest experience, making visitors feel genuinely welcomed.
El Pontifical offers free parking, adding to its convenience for those traveling by car. Some guests noted challenges due to the parking area's uneven surface, but the overall benefit of complimentary parking remains a significant plus.
Despite mixed reviews on bed comfort with most finding the beds cozy and conducive to a restful night’s sleep, occasional remarks of discomfort were noted. Nonetheless, the tranquil and romantic ambiance of El Pontifical makes it an ideal destination for couples seeking intimacy and seclusion, highlighted by intimate dinners and fantastic views.
In summary, El Pontifical provides a charming and tranquil retreat with exceptional dining and warm hospitality, set in a picturesque location. Minor issues with parking access, breakfast timing and bed comfort do little to detract from the overwhelmingly positive experiences guests report. Show more
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Categories
Hotel near Golf Courses
Historic Hotel
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Dog Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel with Free Wi-Fi
Business Hotel
Hotel with Parking
Small Hotel
Room Types
Double Room with BalconyThis comfortable, heated room includes a balcony, TV and private bathroom.
Superior Double RoomThis large room has a balcony with mountain views, a TV and a private bathroom.
SuiteHas 2 balconies, mountain views and a bathroom with a shower and a hydromassage bath.
Double RoomThis double room is air-conditioned and has a private bathroom, parquet floors, a wardrobe and a patio. The unit has 1 bed.
Queen Room with Garden ViewThis air-conditioned double room features a private bathroom, a wardrobe, parquet floors as well as a patio. The unit offers 1 bed.
About El Pontifical
License: RM10069
Guest Reviews
8.4
Very Good
Location
El Pontifical, nestled in a beautifully restored historic building, offers a unique retreat in a charming small village just outside Madrid. This rural haven provides stunning far-reaching views from its terrace, enhancing the serene and cozy atmosphere. The hotel features a magnificent restaurant that delights guests with delicious and delightful dishes, making the dining experience as memorable as the stay.
Despite its superb location, which offers tranquility and a picturesque setting, reaching El Pontifical can be a challenge due to the narrow and steep streets leading up to the highest point of the village. However, the private parking available nearby alleviates some of the access difficulties. It’s advisable to have a car to navigate the journey, although the end experience is deemed well worth the effort.
The hotel’s rural charm is matched by the warm and friendly hospitality of the owner, enriching the overall experience. With its quiet and comfortable setting, El Pontifical is ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle. Although some guests noted a lack of certain modern facilities, the combination of the beautiful historic building, the exceptional views and the romantic ambiance make this hotel a highly recommended destination for travelers looking to unwind in a quaint and serene location.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at 'El Pontifical' receives generally positive feedback from guests with numerous commendations highlighting its quality. Several guests describe the breakfast as very good, complete and even exquisite, while others praised it as delicious and homemade. The variety offered seems to be a notable point with some mentioning that breakfast includes natural juice, a selection of toast, fruit, sweets and good coffee.
Service receives high marks for being attentive and kind, further enhancing the breakfast experience. However, a few guests mentioned that the breakfast is quite expensive considering its value and some noted that it tends to be basic or limited in options unless requested otherwise. It's also important to note the breakfast starts relatively late in the morning at 9:30, which might not suit early risers.
Generally, despite some concerns about cost and variety, the breakfast at 'El Pontifical' is largely appreciated for its quality, completeness and the personalized service that accompanies it.
Dinner
Guests who dined at 'El Pontifical' had overwhelmingly positive experiences. The restaurant, set in beautifully converted caves, provides a cozy and original ambiance that many find spectacular and charming. Patrons frequently mention the excellent quality of the food, often describing it as delicious, tasty and exquisite. The tasting menu, in particular, stands out both for its quality and its value for money.
Visitors also appreciate the flexibility of the menu with options available à la carte or as a pre-set tasting menu. The restaurant's decor, spread across the lower floors, adds to the overall dining experience, making it not just a meal but a delightful event.
Staff attention and service receive high praise, contributing to the dining pleasure. The atmosphere is further enhanced by beautiful music, which many guests found marvelous. While some found the food and drink slightly more expensive compared to other places, the overall sentiment suggests the experience is worth the cost, highlighting the fusion of excellent dishes and a memorable setting.
Rooms
El Pontifical boasts rooms that exude charm and character, featuring tasteful decor and meticulous details. Guests appreciated the comfortable beds and the overall cozy atmosphere, which combines modern amenities with a rustic, 18th-century flair. The rooms are not only beautiful but also exceptionally clean and well-maintained. Many reviewers highlighted the spaciousness and the thoughtful touches like a coffee maker with complimentary coffee and water.
While some found the rooms on the smaller side and mentioned issues with lighting, these aspects seemed minor compared to the overwhelming praise for the coziness and comfort provided. The en suite facilities, including great showers and toilets, were frequently mentioned as highlights. The hotel's decor, atmosphere and staff also received commendations for contributing to a delightful stay. Despite some minor issues, El Pontifical delivers a peaceful and comfortable retreat in a lovely old building.
Beds
El Pontifical offers a mixed experience when it comes to the comfort of its beds. Many guests have highlighted the beds as being comfortable with particular praise for the comfort of the mattresses and pillows. Descriptions such as "super comfortable beds" and "the bed was very comfortable" are frequently noted. However, there are also some mentions of discomfort with a few guests finding the mattresses less than satisfactory. Overall, while a significant number of visitors find the beds at El Pontifical to be cozy and conducive to a restful night's sleep, there are occasional reports of discomfort that potential guests might want to keep in mind.
Cleanliness
'El Pontifical' generally receives positive remarks for its cleanliness with guests frequently describing the rooms and bathrooms as very clean, tidy and pleasant. The overall design of the accommodation also receives commendation, contributing to a favorable impression. Guests specifically highlight the immaculate state of both the private spaces and certain facilities with everything functioning well during their stays. However, there are occasional criticisms regarding cleanliness in the common areas and dust on wooden beam ceilings. Suggestions for minor refurbishments of sanitary installations and observations of poorly maintained materials point to some areas for improvement. Despite these concerns, the high standards of room cleanliness significantly enhance guest experiences at 'El Pontifical'.
Staff
Guests of 'El Pontifical' consistently praise the hotel's staff for their friendliness, attentiveness and exceptional service. Béatrice, highlighted frequently, stands out for her helpfulness and delivers excellent culinary experiences with guests raving about the delicious dinner and breakfast she provides. The overall atmosphere is described as cozy with special mentions for the manager's kindness and the impressive dedication of the entire team. Whether it’s the host, receptionist or other staff members, guests note the warm-hearted and pleasant interactions they experience, always greeted with smiles and a genuine willingness to help. The combination of good service and cozy facilities makes the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff a standout feature that significantly enhances the overall guest experience at El Pontifical.
Parking
El Pontifical offers the convenience of free parking, making it an attractive choice for those traveling by car. The parking area is located below the house in an open space and there is also the benefit of private parking. However, some guests have found accessing this space to be somewhat challenging due to its downhill slope and uneven surface, including several large pits at the entrance. Although there is enough space available, the uncovered outdoor parking could make handling luggage more difficult. The location in a village adds to the charm, but can also make navigating and parking a bit complicated. Despite these challenges, the free parking feature remains a significant plus for many visitors.
Romantic
El Pontifical provides a tranquil and idyllic retreat perfect for couples seeking a romantic getaway. The setting is peaceful, offering cozy and charming accommodations that enhance the romantic experience. Guests can enjoy intimate dinners in a special atmosphere with an excellent restaurant adding to the allure. The location offers fantastic views, contributing to a sense of disconnection and tranquility in a chic rural ambiance. Ideal for those looking for intimacy and seclusion, the overall experience is described as marvelous, encapsulating romance and charm throughout.
No, El Pontifical doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at El Pontifical.
Yes, El Pontifical welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at El Pontifical.