Casa Milia

This place did not feel welcoming. It started out well - when I arrived an older woman was there. She greeted me warmly, gave me a choice of rooms, and asked if I wanted something to drink. I thanked her and said after I was going to shower first. After my shower, I came down, and called for someone. A middle aged woman who was having a smoking break came over, looking annoyed at the interruption. I asked for a drink, she looked even more annoyed, and took a long trip to the outdoor fridge to get it. An hour later, I was thirsty again (after walking all day). I find the woman, ask for a drink, she gives me a look like I asked for her first born child, and is extremely annoyed and goes to get another drink. An hour later, you guessed it. I've been walking all day, I'm thirsty, the hotel is on a highway with no stores or restaurants nearby, and the tap water tastes metallic. I've clearly upset her asking for drinks, so I just get one from the fridge, planning to add it to my tab, the same way I'll pay for the other two drinks, the room, and dinner. She appears a minute later and is yelling at me for taking a drink without asking her. I apologized, but am thinking what the heck - you are a hotel for pilgrims, with no grocery or restaurants nearby. They are going to want something to drink. Either set up a self serve honor system where people pay on the way out, or be willing to get it for them. You can't give them neither option. People are already paying 60 euro for room, 10 euro for dinner, they are not going to steal a 2 euro water. That was one example of the overall vibe from this woman - she seemed annoyed by my presence, and the other 2 guests (there were only 3 of us there). I felt like I was imposing on her by being there - but it's a hotel! Aside from the host, the hotel itself was great - outdoor seating, cozy feel, good shower. There's highway noise but I just turned on white noise on my phone. It was also nice to stay between Melide and Arzua, puts you on your own timeline. I had total solitude on the Camino in the morning between hotel and Arzua. Note it is off the Camino, less than a km, with the last 300m along a highway. Be careful leaving in the morning - I waited until sunrise for safety, and put on my headlamp facing backwards. There are huge 12 wheeler logging trucks going 70 mph on highway. Also in the morning be sure to get back to the Camino the way you came, taking a right out of the hotel. I considered going left to meet the Camino at the next intersection with the highway, and was so glad I didn't - the Camino crosses the highway on an overpass and you can't reach it from the highway.