Escape to Paradise: Hotel Xauen, Jaén, Spain - Your Dream Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of Hotel Xauen in Jaén, Spain. Forget sterile, corporate-speak. I'm talking real talk about what it's like to actually live there, even if it's just for a few blissful days.
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Xauen, Jaén, Spain - Your Dream Getaway Awaits! (Or Does It? My Honest Take)
Let's just cut to the chase: Jaén. It’s not exactly the flashiest city in Spain, is it? But that's part of its charm. And Hotel Xauen? Well, it aims to be your sanctuary in this often-overlooked corner of Andalusia. Did it succeed? Let's get down to brass tacks, shall we?
Accessibility: Keeping Things Real (and Accessible)
Okay, the website claims accessibility. That's a good start. In reality? Well, let's just say things weren't quite as smooth as silk. They do have a lift, which is a massive win, because navigating stairs after a tapas-fueled feast is not my idea of fun. BUT, the layout… Let's just say it’s a bit of a maze. I'm relatively spry, but even I found myself wandering occasionally, looking for the "pool with a view." (More on that later!) The important thing is: wheelchair accessibility might require a little extra patience and pre-planning. Call ahead, ask detailed questions, and don’t assume. Seriously. Do your homework!
Wheelchair Accessible: As mentioned, I didn't personally test this, but based on the layout and the presence of the elevator, it appears to be trying, but double-check and be prepared.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: I didn't see any specifically labeled as such, but the staff seemed genuinely helpful. Ask them about the best options!
Internet, Glorious Internet (And the Lack Thereof…Sometimes)
First things first: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Huzzah! Absolutely crucial for someone like me who needs to stay somewhat connected (gotta post those Instagram stories, right?). But the quality? Okay, let’s be honest, it was patchy. Sometimes lightning-fast, other times… well, let's just say I experienced serious buffering during my attempts to live-stream my breakfast. Internet access – wireless (FREE) and Internet access – LAN are both listed. A smart idea… but the WIFI… needs some work. If you need rock-solid internet, maybe bring a portable hotspot.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… And That Pool with a View (Oh. My. God.)
Listen, the "pool with a view" is the reason I went. I saw the pictures, and I was sold. And it didn’t disappoint. It was perched up high, overlooking the city…it was just stunning. The perfect place to just… be. I spent an entire afternoon there, alternating between languid swims and absorbing the sunshine. Just be warned: it can get crowded at peak times. But the view… worth it. Absolutely worth it.
Swimming Pool (Outdoor) & Pool with View: Yes and YES! (Again, go early).
Now, the other relaxation options… The Spa/Sauna, Steamroom, Massage… the whole shebang. I treated myself to a massage, and let me tell you, after the flights and the tapas, it was absolute heaven. My masseuse, Maria, was a miracle worker. I nearly drifted off to sleep. (Okay, I did drift off to sleep for a few glorious minutes. Don't judge me.) The Body scrub and Body wrap options looked tempting, but I was too busy lounging by the pool. Maybe next time!
- Fitness Center: I looked at it. Briefly. Let's be honest, the idea of a gym after all that delicious food was… less appealing than the thought of another glass of Rioja. But hey, it's there if you're feeling virtuous.
- Gym/fitness: Yes, but I was a lazy pig.
- Foot bath: I didn't try it, but it sounds relaxing.
- Spa/sauna: Yes. Heavenly.
- Sauna: Yes.
- Steamroom: Yes.
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID Circus (Let's Address the Elephant in the Room)
Look, we're all a bit neurotic about germs these days, aren't we? Hotel Xauen does take it seriously. They had all the usual suspects: Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol. Daily disinfection in common areas. Rooms sanitized between stays. Anti-viral cleaning products. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. Look, it felt clean. It felt safe. I did see a crew of staff diligently cleaning. I'm not gonna lie, it put my mind at ease. Rooms sanitization opt-out available? I didn't ask.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Food, Sweet Food
The food…ah, the food! Honestly, this is where Hotel Xauen really shines.
- Restaurants: Multiple. Options galore.
- Bar: Yes. Cocktails. Need I say more?
- Room service [24-hour]: Glorious, glorious room service. Perfect for those late-night cravings.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet was HUGE, with a real mix of both Western breakfast and Asian breakfast. I'm a sucker for a good buffet. I ate my weight in croissants. No regrets.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes, with some truly delicious options – especially the local specialties. You must try the olive oil! Jaén is famed for its olive groves, and it's divine.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes. Essential.
- Coffee shop: Didn't see one, but you can get coffee in the restaurants.
- Desserts in restaurant: Yummy!
- Poolside bar: Yes! Cocktails and snacks by the pool? Yes, please!
- Snack bar: Available!
- Restaurants: Quite a selection, with something for everyone.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They were very accommodating.
- Bottle of water: Provided.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Didn't notice a dedicated one but Vegetarian options available.
- Desserts in restaurant: Delicious.
- Soup in restaurant: Yum!
- Salad in restaurant: Of course!
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yes, they have a solid selection of dishes!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Also available!
- Happy hour: Excellent.
- Room service [24-hour]: Perfect for those tapas-induced cravings at 2:00 AM.
The Rooms: Comfortable, but…
My room was perfectly adequate. Clean, comfortable bed, all the usual amenities. Air conditioning, Mini bar, Coffee/tea maker. The View? Not bad, but not as spectacular as the pool view.
Air conditioning: Yes. Additional toilet: No, not in my room. Alarm clock: Present and correct. Bathrobes: Yes! Bathroom phone: A bit old-fashioned, but hey, it works. Bathtub: Yep. Blackout curtains: Essential. Carpeting: Yup. Closet: Plenty big. Coffee/tea maker: Yes. Complimentary tea: Yay! Daily housekeeping: They kept it spotless. Desk: Useful for pretending to work (more likely to be browsing the internet). Extra long bed: A big plus! Free bottled water: A nice touch. Hair dryer: Yes. High floor: I requested one. In-room safe box: Safe and sound. Internet access – LAN: Available. Internet access – wireless: Mostly. Ironing facilities: Yes. Laptop workspace: Yes. Linens: Clean and fresh. Mirror: Multiple. Non-smoking: Yes. On-demand movies: The selections weren't great. Private bathroom: Standard. Reading light: Essential for nighttime reading (or scrolling through your phone). Refrigerator: Yes. Satellite/cable channels: All the usual suspects. Scale: Helpful for avoiding post-holiday regrets. Seating area: A little sofa. Separate shower/bathtub: A luxury! Shower: Good water pressure. Slippers: Yes! Smoke detector: Hopefully working. Socket near the bed: Yes, thank goodness. Sofa: Yes. Soundproofing: Pretty good. Telephone: Yes. Toiletries: Basic, but adequate. Towels: Fluffy. Umbrella: Surprisingly useful. Visual alarm: Not that I used. Wake-up service: Yes. Wi-Fi [free]: In theory. Window that opens: Good for fresh air.
The bathroom? Perfectly functional. Nothing fancy.
Services and Conveniences: Little Extras that Make a Difference
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your perfectly-planned, Instagram-worthy travel itinerary. This is the real, messy, glorious train wreck that is me trying to navigate Hotel Xauen in Jaen, Spain. Consider yourselves warned. And maybe grab some tapas. You'll need the fuel.
Hotel Xauen: Jaen, Spain – The Chronicles of a Semi-Sane Traveler
Day 1: Arrival and the (Potential) Start of a Love Affair with Olive Oil
- 14:00 (Give or take… I'm bad with time zones, and the flight was delayed, naturally): Arrive at Hotel Xauen! After a slightly harrowing cab ride (Spanish drivers, am I right?!), I roll in. The lobby? Promises of Andalusian charm. Think wrought-iron balconies, a faint scent of something delicious wafting from the restaurant, and a general vibe that says, "Relax, you're in another world." My room is… well, let's just say it's a room. Clean, thankfully. The promised "mountain view"? More like a "slightly elevated view of the building across the street." Sigh. Small price to pay to escape the mundane.
- 15:00 (ish): Get lost. Seriously. Wander around the hotel, can't find the elevator. Wind up in the kitchen (oops), where the chef, a tiny woman with a fiery stare and a voice that could cut glass, shoos me out with a "¡No, no!" I'm pretty sure I was making her laugh, which I love.
- 16:00: Tapas Time! Right, essential. Found a tiny, hidden tapas bar recommended by a local I chatted with on the plane (she swore I’d love it, the same feeling coming from my stomach). The place crammed. Everyone is speaking at once, animatedly gesturing. I order a glass of local wine (Rioja, I think? Or maybe it was Verdejo? I'm still learning…) and a plate of pan con tomate. Simple, perfect. And then…the olives. Oh, the olives. Briny, plump, bursting with flavor. I eat about a thousand of them. Decide Jaen and I might be friends. Maybe more than friends.
- 18:00: Back to the hotel. Exhausted. Need to rest. I get to the room and…the lights are all broken. That's OK, things happen! The phone is a mess, I just can't reach the reception. I'm gonna go to sleep now, and don't care at all.
- 20:00: Dinner! At the hotel restaurant. The food is… okay? Not bad. But the music is elevator music meets flamenco and I’m starting to feel mildly claustrophobic. I’m gonna order extra wine, just to be safe. My mood is better by the end, though.
Day 2: A Pilgrimage to the Cathedral and the Perils of Pigeon-Dodging
- 08:00 (Maybe? Look, breakfast is a blur of croissants and questionable coffee): Decide to be a responsible traveler and actually DO something. Head to the Catedral de Jaén. The walk is… uphill. In the blistering Andalusian sun. I'm already roasting.
- 09:00: The Cathedral. Holy moly. Massive. Gothic. Stunning. I get lost in the architecture. The details! The carvings! The sheer scale of it all. I'm almost speechless, which, for me, is a miracle. Spend a good hour wandering around, gawking. Snap a few photos. Try to be a cultured being.
- 10:00: I'm out. And the pigeons! They are everywhere. Relentlessly circling, plotting, and… well, I'll spare you the details. Let's just say I engage in a very ungraceful mating dance of dodging and flapping my arms. I think I may have offended a few locals.
- 11:00: I'm back at the cafe. Drink as much ice-cold water as possible. Jaen is, and I’m noticing it now, burning.
- 13:00: Get back to Hotel Xauen. I swear, I'm just gonna stay here, get some rest and sleep. And, perhaps, to get some new information in the front desk. Oh, no, reception now closes at 14:00. I'm trapped.
Day 3: The Olive Oil Experience (And My Attempt to Become an Expert)
- 10:00: Today is all about olive oil! That's the Jaen way. And I'm all in. I've signed up for an olive oil tasting experience at a local almazara (olive mill). Apparently, Jaen is the olive oil capital of the world. I, the olive oil novice, am about to be schooled.
- 11:00: The almazara. Seriously, this place smells divine. Freshly pressed olives, the earthy aroma fills the air. Meet the olive oil expert, a man named Antonio, with kind eyes and a passion for his product. He talks for a while of the process. The olives, the crushing, the pressing, the different varieties. I'm trying to take notes, but I'm also staring at all the different olives hanging on the wall. The textures, the variety of colors… This is more beautiful than I imagined.
- 12:00: Time for the tasting! Antonio lines up glasses of various olive oils. He explains how to swirl it, smell it, and, yes, sip it. The first one, a fruity, green-tinged oil, explodes in my mouth. It's… incredible. I feel like I'm actually tasting the sunlight of Andalusia, the essence of the earth. The second one is peppery, the third, more grassy. I'm actually beginning to discern the differences! I even try to sound like an expert, throwing around words like "intensity" and "notes of artichoke." I probably sound ridiculous, but Antonio just smiles.
- 13:00: I buy a bottle of olive oil. Okay, I buy three bottles. One for myself, and two for gifts (yes, I’m that person). I feel like I’ve just had a religious experience. Olive oil, you beautiful thing.
- 14:00: The rest of the day is a blur of olive oil-fueled euphoria. Olive oil on bread, olive oil in my salad, olive oil…on my spoon (maybe). I'm starting to dream in olive oil. I may never be able to eat anything else forever.
- 16:00: Dinner at a little restaurant Antonio recommends. They serve the most amazing olive oil on bread. I ask for another serving of bread.
- The rest of the evening: Just enjoying the room. The lights are still broken, to my surprise. I just don't care. This is, and I'm sure that’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever done.
Day 4: Departure (And a Promise to Return)
- 09:00: Breakfast. A repeat of the questionable coffee, but I don't care. Today I'm going to leave. The last glance on the mountain view… I'm starting to feel a real attachment.
- 10:00: Pack. I'm bringing home olive oil, memories, and the faint scent of olives. That's a good thing.
- 11:00: Check out of the hotel. The staff is super kind too. That's really nice. Leaving the place.
- 12:00: The cab ride to the airport. I try to make a conversation to the driver. It's just a brief trip.
- 13:00: Goodbye, Jaen! Until next time, my olive oil-soaked friend. I already miss you.
Postscript:
- Overall Impression of Hotel Xauen: It's a bit…rustic. But the staff were nice, and it was comfortable enough. Yes, it had its limitations, but it did the job. But more importantly, it was a base for the adventures, the tapas, the Cathedral, and especially, the olives. I'd go back. I probably will. Now, where's that olive oil…
- Biggest Regret: Not taking more Spanish lessons. My attempts were hilarious.
- Best Moment: The olive oil tasting. Hands down. Life-changing, people. Life-changing.
- Final Thought: Travel is messy, and that's what makes it beautiful. Embrace the chaos, the imperfections, the missed trains, and the dodgy directions. You'll end up with a story worth telling. And, if you're lucky, you'll discover a new love (for olive oil, in my case).
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to pour some olive oil on my life.
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Escape to Paradise: Hotel Xauen, Jaén - Your Dream Getaway (Maybe? Let's Talk!)
So, what *is* this "Hotel Xauen" everyone's raving about? Is it actually paradise, or just overly enthusiastic travel brochures?
Okay, spill the tea. What are the rooms *really* like? Because those Instagram photos are… well, perfect.
The food! What's the food situation? Because "gastronomic experience" is a phrase that makes me both incredibly hopeful and deeply suspicious.
What about the pool? Because a good pool is EVERYTHING.
Is it family-friendly? Because my kids are… well, let's just say they're a force of nature.
What's nearby? Can you actually *do* things, or are you just stranded in olive-grove-land?
The spa! I need to know about the spa. Is it as relaxing as it looks?
Overall, would you recommend it? Is it worth the hype (and the price)?
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