Hotel Casamar in Llafranc

Not sure why, (or maybe I do), we never felt welcome at the hotel. The room was okay, but quite warm and noisy, perhaps because it is over the kitchen! European shower over a slippery tub (seniors beware!) The tub is the perfect size for a ten-year-old child. The TV didn't turn on the first night, but after inspecting it, found it was unplugged and my laptop screen is bigger. No matter, the channel selector is indecipherable. At breakfast we were shown to the worst table with almost no one there--changed to a table with a view. The view is killer. Dinner on the second night--shown to the same bad table, with almost no one there. Asked to change, but were told that others had booked before us. (Or is it that tourists, who may not return, don't get the best tables and service, preferring to have locals with repeat business?) The sommelier placed a sideways touch-screen computer on a stand on our table. Told to use the buttons--wine-region-year-price, etc.--and up comes views of available bottles. Two Ribera del Dueros came up--directed to the more expensive one, of course, 139 euros. Asked if there was a chardonnay-type offering by the glass for the amuse bouche. Poured a "Macon" which was ice cold, bitter. Did they save the corked wine for tourists? The Ribera was full of tannins--opposite of our desired style choice. So, why have a sommelier at all? The tasting menu had several issues--they brought over a round of sourdough and a guy in a toque made a big deal about pouring a teaspoon of olive oil in a small bowl. Then they brought over a warm, dry rosemary muffin. Huh? Amuse bouche were so-so. One course was two small cold shrimp in a bowl, then the toque guy poured warm, brown sauce over them--was the sauce cooked from shrimp shells? Yuck. My fish, sea bass or dorada was underdone, my wife's was done well. Other courses were not memorable. We travel to Europe three months a year, and know good food and wine and speak Spanish. Whether Omikase or Haute Cuisine--we've had them all--this place just doesn't measure up. One more thing--no one ever "engaged us" in English or Spanish the entire time we were there...goog morning, how was your day, happy to have you stay with us. Nada.

It was our first wedding anniversary, so we decided to experience a Michelin starred lunch and hotel in Costa Brava as it's my favorite area in the world. The whole experience was great; check-in great, lunch in the Michelin restaurant was outstandingly magical, all of the staff members were great to provided a very familiar feeling and made us welcome as of we were at home. HOWEVER, when we were checking out, the lady in reception was very lovely and familiar, all three smiling and enjoying, until the chef's sister arrived to the reception desk and without a hesitating and completely without manners made us feel as if we would pretend to leave without paying our whole bill, when I had my card ready in my hands to pay. That, I have to say, it destroyed our mood and our whole also experience. The customer experience got broken by just one person, and happened to be one of the owners. We definitely will not come back here and won't recommend this place to any of my friends of family, as I would feel really embarrassed if they too had a the feeling of being accused too. It was generally a great experience, but as we would have anywhere else. Enjoy the pictures!