Spain's Hidden Gem: Hotel Boa Vista Vivero - Unforgettable Stay!
Hotel Boa Vista Vivero: Spain's Hidden Gem…Or Was It? A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this review is gonna be as chaotic as my suitcase after a week-long trip. We're talking Hotel Boa Vista Vivero in Spain – a place that promised paradise, and…well, let's just say it delivered some of the goods. I'm here to spill the sangria, the secrets, and the occasional stray hair from the magnificent (more on that later) bathtub.
First Impressions (and a Near Miss with a Vending Machine):
Finding the darn hotel was a quest in itself. My GPS kept trying to send me down what looked suspiciously like a goat track. Finally, after some frantic U-turns and a muttered prayer to whoever oversees Spanish road signs, I spotted it. Boa Vista Vivero. Pretty! Then, disaster struck! While trying to buy a desperately needed bottle of water from one of those fancy vending machines in the lobby, I…well, I managed to jam it. The vending machine. My fault? Probably. But the indignity! The thirst! Luckily, a smiling face at the 24-hour front desk saved the day (props, seriously!). They got the thing unstuck and even gave me a complimentary bottle. Score one for customer service!
The Room: My Sanctuary (…and Occasional Source of Mild Anxiety):
Let me tell you, the room was…impressive. (Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens). The bed? Heavenly. The blackout curtains? My soulmate. The bathtub? Oh. My. God. It was bigger than my first apartment! Seriously – I could practically swim laps in it. The bathrobes were plush, the toiletries were delightful, and the complimentary tea… well, let's just say I'm now hooked.
But here's where it gets real. The internet access… patchy. (Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet) I'd be mid-video call with my boss, and poof! Gone. The frustration was REAL. It’s not exactly conducive to working remotely, which, ironically, is one of the things I was trying to do! The soundproofing… questionable. I'm pretty sure I could hear the couple next door discussing the merits of various chorizo vendors at 3 AM. Annoying? Absolutely. But hey, at least I know where to get good chorizo! Small mercies.
Things To Do - The Pampering Promises and the Fitness Fiasco:
Okay, the Spa/Sauna was the selling point, right? (Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]). I was envisioning myself, draped in something silky, sipping cucumber water, and getting a massage that would erase all my worldly worries. The spa… was lovely, don't get me wrong. The pool with a view was stunning. The sauna and steamroom were… steamy and sauna-y. The massage… Well, it was good, but not life-altering. And the cucumber water tasted a bit…watery. Still, a good way to kill quite a bit of time so nothing to complain about.
And the fitness center? Let's just say it was a…challenge. It existed (good start!) but the equipment looked slightly less… modern than I'd hoped. The treadmill whined at a frequency that threatened to shatter my eardrums. And I swear, one of the dumbbells looked like it had a personal history with someone very strong. I gave up and went back to the pool!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Rollercoaster:
The dining options were… varied. (A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.) The breakfast buffet was a feast. Mountains of pastries, fresh fruit, and more than my fair share of perfectly cooked bacon! The coffee shop was a lifesaver. The poolside bar kept me hydrated (and occasionally tipsy) all afternoon. But then there was…the main restaurant. It tried hard, bless its little heart. But the service could be… hit-or-miss. One night, my soup arrived cold, and another, my steak was seriously, SERIOUSLY overcooked. I will say, kudos to the kitchen crew and their ability to handle an absolutely ridiculous amount of orders, all while keeping things interesting.
Cleanliness and Safety - The Covid Context:
Okay, in the era of, you know, all this, safety is a big deal. Boa Vista Vivero took it seriously, and I give them props for that. (Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment). Hand sanitizer was everywhere. Tables were spaced out. Masks were worn. I felt… reasonably safe. The daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring. The option to forego room sanitization was a nice touch, too.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, The Bad, and the “Huh?”
The concierge was a godsend. (Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center). They helped me navigate the local transport, got me reservations at a fantastic tapas bar, and even helped me figure out how to send a postcard that actually reached its destination (a feat of modern engineering, apparently). The luggage storage was super helpful when I had a last-minute flight change and nowhere to put my things. The laundry service, though… well, let's just say ironing your own clothes might be quicker. The elevator was crucial since the hotel has quite a few floors, which is great!
I'm still not sure what to make of the shrine near the lobby. Was it ironic? Spiritual? Or just… there? I'm not sure. Still, the presence of the elevator was a definite bonus!
For the Kids (and the Big Kids Too!):
I'm not a kid, but I saw plenty of them running around, and they seemed to be having the time of their lives. (Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal). The kids' facilities looked decent, and the babysitting service seemed like a bonus for parents.
Accessibility, Getting Around, and Beyond:
This is where Boa Vista Vivero shone. (Accessibility, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking). The hotel seemed to cater well to people with mobility issues, with facilities for disabled guests and elevator access everywhere. Public transportation wasn't a problem, and the car park was a welcome relief.
The Verdict: A Mixed Bag, But I'd Go Back (Maybe):
So, would
Florence's Hidden Gem: B&B Antiche Armonie - Unforgettable Italian Stay
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this itinerary is gonna be less "smooth operator" and more "clumsy, enthusiastic tourist who maybe forgot to pack deodorant." We're heading to Hotel Boa Vista in Vivero, Spain. Hold onto your hats (and maybe some hand sanitizer).
Trip Title: Boa Vista or Bust (Literally, Pray We Don't Bust a Tire)
Duration: 7 Glorious, Chaotic Days (and Nights)
Participants: Me (Master of Procrastination, Expert Snack-Eater), Maybe My Sanity Will Tag Along?
Pre-Flight (aka Disaster Averted… For Now)
- Day -3 (The Panic Begins): Okay, flight booked! Wait… did I remember my passport? Frantic searching ensues. Finds passport. Sweats anyway. Also, checked the weather. Rain. Wonderful. Packing rain gear. Rain boots? Nah, I’ll just buy some there. (Famous last words, right?)
- Day -1 (The Almost-Rookie Mistake): Finally get around to booking my airport transfer. This time I'm smart, no more late runs to the airport.
Day 1: Arrival & Initial "Charm"
- Morning (The Great Scramble): Wake up at 6 AM, a natural choice, because its when my body clock is set. Taxi to the airport. The flight's delayed. Classic. Snack on stale airport pretzels and try to quell my mounting impatience.
- Afternoon (The Arrival Drama): Land in A Coruña. The car rental place is a zoo. Finally get the keys to my slightly-too-small rental car. The woman at the desk, bless her heart, had a very thick Galician accent. I understood maybe 30% of what she said. Managed to get the car, praying it doesn't die on a random mountain pass…
- Late Afternoon (The Boa Vista Reveal): Arrive at Hotel Boa Vista! The view… is breathtaking. Seriously, WOW. The Atlantic stretching out forever. The hotel itself is charming, albeit a little… retro. The lobby reminds me of my grandma's living room, in the best way possible. The staff seems lovely, even if my Spanish is roughly equivalent to a toddler’s drawing skills.
- Evening (The First Dinner Dilemma): Dinner in the hotel restaurant. The food is… rustic. Definitely rustic. I accidentally order the "pulpo a la gallega" (octopus) and my face becomes a mix of intrigue and terror. It's… rubbery. But the bread! Oh, the bread! It's worth the struggle. The local wine helps. A lot.
- Night: (The First Sunset): On the balcony looking down at the waves. The sun is setting, the colors are unreal. I'm actually smiling. Maybe this trip won’t be a total disaster.
Day 2: Beach Days and Fishy Adventures
- Morning (Beach Bliss… and Sunburn Alert!): Hit the local beach. Playa de las Catedrales is the name… and the game. The weather is amazing, and I spend the morning getting sand everywhere. It's beautiful. The rocks and caves are so intricate. By lunchtime, I've forgotten sunscreen. Uh oh.
- Afternoon (Fish Market Frenzy): Venture into Vivero town. Visit the local fish market. The variety! The smells! My stomach rumbles. Try to negotiate for a small, delicious-looking fish to grill. I fumble through the Spanish, point a LOT, and end up with much more fish than I needed. But it's an adventure!
- Evening (The "Culinary Genius" Fails): Back at the hotel, attempt to grill the fish. Turns out I am not a culinary genius. It’s charred on the outside and raw on the inside. Sigh. Order room service. Wine to the rescue!
Day 3: Rambling Along the Coast and the Lighthouse Saga
- Morning (Coastal Drive of Wonder): Rent a car (yes, the same one). Drive along the coastal road. The scenery is stunning! The air is fresh, the waves crash against the cliffs in a dramatic, beautiful display. Take a million photos, even of things that probably aren't photogenic.
- Afternoon (Lighthouse Lore and Lost Hope): Hike (more like a slow shuffle uphill) to the lighthouse. The views! The wind! The near-death experience from slipping on a wet rock! The lighthouse itself is majestic. But my water bottles are empty, and I feel like I could sleep for a week.
- Evening (Hotel Rest and Relaxation): Enjoy a relaxing dinner at the hotel, and a peaceful night's sleep. Ah, to be in such a relaxing environment, listening to the waves!
Day 4: The Island, the Castle, and The Fog
- Morning (Getting to Island Beach): The forecast said "Mist" the day before. No sign of that now. I think that I found the most relaxing spot to spend my day.
- Afternoon (Castle of Santa Cruz): Visit Santa Cruz castle. It has a great viewpoint and history. Great place to visit if you like history. The views are top-notch.
- Evening (Fog's Arrival): The forecast said that it would be foggy. It's still foggy. Everything is fog. Dinner in the hotel restaurant. The food is getting even better!
Day 5: The Pilgrimage and the Realization
- Morning (Pilgrimage): Today, I take a detour of the pilgrimage route. I feel the religious connection with the churches.
- Afternoon (The realization): I sit on a bench looking down at the sea. What have I become? I didn't go to the gym for a week, and I'm eating more than I exercise. I am in vacation mode!
- Evening (Sunset!): The sun is setting. It's going to be another beautiful day!
Day 6: The Local Market and the "Lost in translation"
- Morning (Local Life): Visit the local market. The locals are all really friendly, but their conversations are beyond me.
- Afternoon (Lost in translation): I try to order a "cafe con leche," but I fail. I order a "cafe solo." I just smile and nod.
- Evening (Sunset!): I see the sunset. I buy myself a souvenir, an owl.
Day 7: Departure (or, the Great Getaway)
- Morning (The Packing Panic… Again): Pack. Try to remember everything. Probably forget something. The rental car? Actually, this time I have to return it. Hopefully, the car survives the drive without incident.
- Afternoon (Airport Angst): Airport. Security. The inevitable delay. Snack on stale airport pretzels (again). Wonder when I'll be back.
- Evening (Homeward Bound): Take off. Looking back at the Boa Vista, thinking of all the memories.
Things I (Probably) Forgot:
- Sunscreen. (Again.)
- Deodorant. (Possibly.)
- Perfect Spanish.
- My sanity. (Still debatable.)
Overall Impression:
Spain, you magnificent, chaotic, slightly fishy jewel. Hotel Boa Vista… you’re my kind of crazy. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. Did I make a fool of myself? Probably multiple times. Did I have an amazing time? Absolutely, yes. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Maybe I'll brush up on my Spanish first. Or at least buy some deodorant.
Escape to Paradise: Your 7-Bedroom Provençal Dream in Bedarrides!
Hotel Boa Vista Vivero: Ready to Spill the Beans? An Unofficial FAQ (Because, Let's Be Real, It's More Fun This Way)
Okay, spill. Is Boa Vista Vivero *actually* a hidden gem, or just another Instagram-filtered disappointment?
Alright, real talk. It's... complicated. Listen, the pictures? Gorgeous. The reality? Well, let's just say it's got character. Think charmingly rustic, not surgically enhanced. But that character? That's what you're paying for. It *feels* hidden. The drive in is like, "Are we sure this is the right way? Is my GPS smoking crack?" You feel like you're about to discover something incredible… and mostly, you do. My first thought when I arrived was, "Wow, this is...a lot of green." And the air? Unbelievably fresh. So, yeah, hidden gem? Maybe. But be prepared for a slightly wobbly, gloriously imperfect, adventure.
The views – they look INSANE. Are they *as* good in real life? Because, you know, sometimes the photos are a dirty lie.
Right?! The views. Okay, so the pictures don’t lie. They maybe *under*-sell them. Seriously. I spent a solid hour just staring out the window of my room. The cliffside, the ocean… and the birds! So many birds, chirping like they’re trying out for a particularly competitive bird song competition. It's breathtaking. Pure, unadulterated, "I need to sit down and just *be*" kind of gorgeous. My only complaint? That I only had one pair of eyes to take it all in. I actually got teary-eyed eating breakfast on the terrace. Don't judge me - I was REALLY tired. All I can say is... pack binoculars!
What about the food? Is it all tapas and paella? (Asking for a friend… who is also me.)
Okay, the food. This is where it gets… interesting. Yes, tapas and paella are definitely on the menu. Which is delightful. But the real magic, I think, came in the form of the more unusual specialties! One night, they had this incredible seafood stew – I swear there were flavors in there I’d never even imagined existed. And their wine selection? Sublime. The house wine was... well, it was house wine, but perfectly drinkable! And some of the fancier stuff... oh, my word. I may have accidentally had a *few* too many glasses. (Don’t tell anyone!) Just go with an open mind and try everything. You will not be disappointed! Especially the sweets! Get. The. Sweets.
The rooms – are they modern, or are they all creaky furniture and drafts? Because I’m a princess (in my own mind.)
Okay, so Princess-ness... temper your expectations a touch. The rooms definitely lean towards the "charming rustic" end of the spectrum. Think exposed stone, wooden beams, and furniture that may or may not have come from a pirate ship. They're comfortable, they're clean, but don't expect a minimalist, sterile environment. One friend called her bathroom "cozy." Another friend called the shower a "character-building experience." (It had a sort of… inconsistent temperature control, let's say). But honestly? I loved it. It felt authentic. It wasn't a cookie-cutter hotel. And the view from my little balcony? Unbeatable, even if I had to duck my head occasionally to avoid hitting a low hanging branch. So, princess... pack some earplugs for those creaks. Embrace the quirks!
Is there a pool? I need a pool. My soul *craves* a pool after a day of exploring.
Yes! There is indeed a pool. And it's lovely! It overlooks the cliffs, so the view is just stunning as you relax in the water. However, get there early! I made the mistake of arriving at the pool around 4pm one afternoon, after a long hike...and I was greeted by a cacophony of shrieking children. It wasn't... relaxing. Turns out, the pool is also the local kids' splash zone. So... aim for a quiet morning or take the kids. That's my best advice. Honestly, the pool is the weakest thing about the hotel. It's still good, but just a tad bit chaotic.
Any downsides? Anything that would make me want to scream and run for the hills?
Okay, real talk time. There are a few... challenges. The Wi-Fi can be spotty. Like, *really* spotty. So, if you're a digital nomad, prepare to weep. Also, as much as I loved the "authentic" feeling, the walls are thin. I heard *everything* from my neighbors. And I mean *everything*. One night, there was a particularly boisterous party going on across the hall. I considered banging on their door and making a dramatic speech about respect and quiet hours. I didn’t. I just, you know, pretended I didn't hear it and fell asleep anyway. Finally, the drive. It's part of the charm, yes, but it also involves some seriously twisty roads. If you get car sick, pack the Dramamine. But honestly? The good outweighed the (minor) bad by a long shot. Definitely book it. Just be prepared for a little bit of glorious, imperfect chaos. And for the love of all that is holy, pack earplugs!
Tell me about a specific experience that really stuck with you... something unforgettable!
Okay, this is a good one. One morning, I woke up early--I’m talking *before* the birds started their symphony, the sun hadn't even fully peeked over the cliffs yet. I couldn’t sleep, so I went outside. I grabbed a blanket and sat on the edge of the cliff, overlooking the ocean. The air was crisp, the silence was profound... and then, slowly, the colors started to change. Pinks, oranges, purples, shimmering across the water. For over an hour, I just sat there, completely mesmerized. It was so unbelievably beautiful, so incredibly *peaceful.* I felt this overwhelming sense of awe… and a profound gratitude. I actually started crying (again, don’t judge me!). That moment? That's what made the whole trip. That's what sums up Boa Vista Vivero for me. It wasn't about the perfectly fluffy towels or the lightning fast Wi-Fi. It was about that raw, powerful connection with nature, and the feeling of being completely, utterly alone with the world. It was almost a religious experience. And honestly...it was the most amazing thing I think I've ever experienced on vacation.
Would you go back? Like, *really* would you go back?
Absolutely. Without a doubt. I’m already mentally planning the next trip. I'm even practicing my Spanish (badly) so I can attempt to order that damn seafood stew again. The slight imperfectionsCity Stay Finder
