Unbelievable Teruel Escape: Your Dream Apartment Awaits at El Canonigo!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my experience at the Unbelievable Teruel Escape: Your Dream Apartment Awaits at El Canonigo! Seriously, the name alone had me picturing myself dramatically escaping a horde of… well, maybe not zombies, but definitely something that required a bit of dramatic flair. Let's see if the reality lived up to the hype, because, let's be real, my standards are HIGH.
First Impressions: The Hype vs. Reality (Spoiler Alert: Mostly Good!)
From the get-go, the promise of an “escape” – my god, what does that even mean in the modern hotel world? – had me intrigued. Let’s break this down.
Accessibility: A Biggie, and They Mostly Nail It
Right off the bat, accessibility is crucial for a smooth start, and I can't emphasize this enough. El Canonigo seemed to be trying. They boasted "Facilities for disabled guests" which is GREAT. I didn't specifically test every nook and cranny, but the elevators were a blessing (thank the heavens, those stairs are the REAL escape for some, ha!), and the public areas felt pretty welcoming (see: "Elevator"). While I don't have specific mobility needs, the impression was positive. Important: Check specifics with the hotel if you have specific accessibility requirements. Not just saying it, I really mean it.
The Nitty Gritty: Amenities, Amenities, Amenities!
Okay, let’s get into the nitty-gritty - because that’s where you find out if the "dream apartment" actually lives up to the name.
- Internet Access (or the Lack Thereof, at Times): "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" - A must for any travel blogger. The irony wasn't lost on me when I first tried to upload a picture of my room. It was… patchy. Let's just leave it at that. "Internet [LAN]" I did not use, as the concept of "LAN" is like… prehistoric to me. I do need to report to hotel that I was a little disappointed.
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My biggest gripe?! I LOVE food. I live to eat. They have "Restaurants", and what do they have??? They serve "International cuisine in restaurant" and "Vegetarian restaurant": I like it. There's a "Poolside bar", as well which I'm going to give high-marks on.
- Relaxation Central - Or Was It? The Spa Scene. This is where my inner diva came out! The "Spa" was a definite selling point, and I'm a sucker for anything with "sauna" and "steamroom". "Pool with view" - yes, please! I want a photo. I need more Instagram shots. "Massage": Pure bliss.
The Room: Your Escape Pod (Sort Of)
Alright, the room itself. "Unbelievable Teruel Escape" promised a dream, and the room tried its best.
- The Good Stuff: The "Air conditioning" was a lifesaver. "Blackout curtains" were perfect for a good night's sleep after a strenuous day of… well, existing. I had "Free bottled water", and "Complimentary tea", which is always a win in my books.
- Stuff I loved: "Separate shower/bathtub" = HUGE plus. I like a good soak, and a separate shower is crucial to avoid that, "I'm showering in the same water I'm trying to bathe in". "Reading light" – perfect for the late-night novel binge. "Seating area," perfect for me to "people-watch"… you know, just the usual.
Eating and Drinking My Way Through (The Honest Truth)
This is where the "unbelievable" part was tested, and let's just say, it had its moments. The "Breakfast [buffet]" was… ok. More or less it was what I expected so no complaints but nothing to write home about. "Breakfast in room"? Well, that's where it truly shined. Nothing like a tray of eggs and coffee to start your day off right! "Coffee/tea in restaurant" - I couldn't get enough!
Cleanliness and Safety: The New Reality
I'm not going to lie, I was a tiny bit obsessed with the cleanliness. They seem to have the COVID protocols DOWN.
- The Big Stuff: I noticed "Hand sanitizer" everywhere. "Staff trained in safety protocol": good. "Rooms sanitized between stays": Fantastic! "Daily disinfection in common areas": They really were not messing around.
The "Things To Do" Bit: More Than Just Staying In Bed
This is a bit of a tricky one. Let me be honest, I spent a lot of time in the room. Not because I wanted to, but because… well, sleep is important. But if you're feeling more adventurous:
- "Fitness center": I peeked in. And it looked… like a fitness center.
- "Swimming pool [outdoor]": I saw photos. Looked lovely.
- "Car park [free of charge]": Great for any road-trippers.
My "Unbelievable" Moment (The Little Things)
Okay, honesty time. The biggest thing that made this truly memorable? The staff. Truly. They were friendly and helpful. A smile and a helping hand can make all the difference.
The Quirks, The Annoyances, and The Verdict
- Annoyance: The Wi-Fi… Oh, internet, why must you fail me?!
- Quirk: Well… I had to go hunting for the spa, but it was a great way to get my steps in.
The Verdict:
This wasn't a perfect escape. But it was a good one. The location is great, the staff are lovely. And the spa! Plus… it was a good escape.
My Recommendation and A Killer Offer:
Would I recommend the "Unbelievable Teruel Escape"? YES, with a few caveats. It's a great choice for anyone looking for a comfortable stay with some high-end amenities.
BOOK NOW and get a free upgrade to a room with a balcony! Use code "ESCAPEWITHME" at checkout.
**Gobels Hotel zum Lowen: Friedewald's Hidden Gem (Unbeatable Deals Inside!)**
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a Teruel adventure! Forget pristine itineraries – this is going to be a messy, glorious, and utterly human experience. We're talkin' emotional rollercoasters, questionable decisions, and the undeniable charm of a trip gone gloriously off-script. This is my Teruel, and you're all just along for the ride.
TERUEL TRIP: APARTAMENTOS EL CANONIGO – A MESSY LOVE STORY
(Day 1: Arrival & That "Charming" Apartment)
- 1:00 PM (approximately): Arrive in Teruel! The train ride from… well, let’s just say it wasn’t smooth. Missed connections, a crying baby (who, honestly, was adorable!), and a croissant that disintegrated in my bag. But hey, we're here! The Spanish sun is warming up, and my stomach is rumbling with a hunger only tapas can cure.
- 1:30 PM: Taxi to Apartamentos El Canonigo. The driver, bless his heart, seemed to think I was moving in permanently, judging by the sheer volume of questions and unsolicited commentary on my luggage. The building…well, it's charming in a slightly crumbling sort of way. The door to the apartment is a work of art in itself - rusty, wonky, and clearly seen better days. "Character," they call it. We'll see if the "character" keeps me up all night.
- 2:00 PM: Apartment Check-in. The woman at the desk spoke rapid-fire Spanish, which I thought I understood. Turns out I nodded a lot and agreed to things I probably shouldn't have. (Did I just volunteer to clean the communal courtyard? Probably.) The apartment itself is…let's call it "eclectic." Think grandma's attic meets a slightly bohemian Instagram feed. It’s quirky, it’s… well, it’s growing on me.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Great Fridge Fiasco. The fridge is dead. Stone cold. Like, a polar bear would shiver inside. After a lot of frantic gesturing (and a slightly mortified apartment manager), it's decided that the new fridge will be arriving tomorrow. Sigh. Looks like room temperature cheese and ham for dinner. (At least the wine can stay cold!)
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Mandatory Initial Exploration & Tapas Panic. Armed with a poorly-translated map and a desperate craving for food, I venture out. Teruel is stunning! The Mudéjar architecture is breathtaking, especially the towers. Finding a tapas bar is a necessity. But, oh god - the ordering. I mumble, I point, I basically beg for something edible. The waiter looks amused, the tapas are delicious. Crisis averted! I'm alive, fed, and slightly more fluent in "point at the food."
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Plaza del Torico. Wandering the city square, watching the life unroll, and eating ice cream. This is what all the effort is about.
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Attempted Dinner, Fridge-less Edition. Cheese and ham time! The bread is delightfully crusty, the wine is perfectly chilled (thank goodness for the balcony!), and I'm starting to feel a certain je ne sais quoi for this slightly chaotic apartment. Maybe this "character" thing isn't so bad after all.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime. Praying the creaky bed and noisy neighbors don't keep me up all night. Fingers crossed!
(Day 2: Towers, a Twist, and a Taste of Disaster)
- 8:00 AM: Up, and I mean UP. This might be the most uncomfortable bed ever made. But hey, at least I got up! The morning light on the old walls is breathtaking, even if my back is screaming in protest.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Scrounged up some bread, ate some cheese, and drank some coffee. It's not the breakfast of champions, but it got me through my first ordeal.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Tower Time! Touring the Mudéjar towers of Teruel! Seriously incredible. The intricate tilework, the views… wow. But, let's be honest, my fear of heights almost got the better of me on one of them. Gripping that railing for dear life. Note to self: bring Dramamine next time.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. I discovered a tiny restaurant tucked away down a narrow street. I tried a simple, delicious Tortilla Española and felt incredibly proud of my very basic Spanish.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Lovers of Teruel. Cue the waterworks. The story is heartbreaking. The mausoleum is beautiful, and the details are remarkable. I am a mess, I weep, and I buy a tacky souvenir – a testament to the power of love and loss (and marketing, let's be real).
- 3:00 PM: The twist! My plans completely fall apart.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: After much walking and confusion, I take a nap.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner and the Great Fridge Revival. Surprise! The new fridge arrived! I'm ecstatic. My joy is short-lived as it takes 20 minutes of fumbling to get the door open. But hey, it's working! I'm celebrating with some chorizo and a cold beer (finally!).
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Sunset stroll. The light on the city as the sun goes down is magical, maybe the most beautiful I've seen.
- 9:00 PM onward: Quiet night in. Maybe finish a book. I'm exhausted in the best way possible.
(Day 3: Wandering, Wine, and the Unpredictable Charm of Teruel)
- 9:00 AM: Coffee and balcony time. The light is gorgeous. Still slightly terrified of the bed, but I'm starting to get used to the wonky apartment. It feels like my wonky apartment.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Wandering without a plan. Letting myself get lost in the narrow streets, discovering hidden plazas, and stumbling upon a small market. This is the best part of travel – the unexpected.
- 12:00 PM: The wine. Lunch in a little bodega. The owner, a gregarious older woman, insists on pouring me a glass of local wine. It's amazing! We chat (mostly her doing the chatting, and me nodding enthusiastically), and I feel a warmth that goes beyond the sun.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Siesta (I am embracing the Spanish way of life).
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Back to the Lovers. I return to the Mausoleum of the Lovers. I feel a deep empathy for them and the pain of their lives. I buy another souvenir.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: More wandering, more tapas. Trying to remember the names of the dishes, making a mess with my fingers, and laughing at myself. This is the good life, right?
- 6:00 PM onward: Departure preparations. It's time to head back home, but I'm already feeling a pang of sadness. I'll miss this quirky apartment, the friendly faces, and the messy, beautiful chaos of Teruel.
- 7:30 PM: Goodbye to Teruel.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. It was a jumble of missed translations, minor disasters, and moments of pure, unadulterated joy. The apartment was far from luxurious, but it was mine for a few days. And that, my friends, is the magic of travel. It's messy, it's imperfect, and it's utterly unforgettable. I will absolutely return to Teruel. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Goa's BEST Beach Getaway: Kranti's Oceanfront Bliss!
What's the deal with, like, *everything*? Seriously. Existential crisis, anyone?
I *do* have moments, late at night, staring at the ceiling, you know? Where you get that… *whoa* feeling. Like, "How is this even possible?" And then you remember you have to be at work, and the existential dread is temporarily replaced by the fear of being late. Classic. You know? I feel there has to be something.
Look, I find comfort in the little things. A perfect cup of coffee (when the machine *cooperates*), a genuinely funny meme, laughing with my friends. Maybe that’s the point? To just… *be*? And try not to spill coffee on the presentation? Maybe?
How do you even *adult*? Is there a manual? Because I didn't get one.
I swear, I’m in my thirties, and I’m still Googling things like, "How to pay taxes" and "How to un-clog a toilet without calling the plumber" (pro tip: it’s a plunger. And sometimes, your pride). There are days I feel like I’m absolutely crushing it! And then there are days I accidentally eat a whole pizza in one sitting and lie on the couch regretting everything. It's a rollercoaster.
Advice? Fake it till you make it. And learn to cook at least three decent meals. Otherwise, you're doomed to a diet of instant noodles and existential despair. Or, you know, just *order* in. No judgement here. I just got a pizza...
What's the most important thing in life? (Besides pizza, obviously.)
For me? It's connection. Real, messy, vulnerable connection with other humans. The kind where you can tell someone your deepest fears, and they don't run screaming. The kind where you can laugh until your sides hurt. I had a friendship... actually, it's a real mess. I have been in touch with a person I knew from elementary school. We caught up via video chat.
We laughed... and cried... a lot. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. Real friendships. This one has taught me more than anything. And it's important for me, and I suspect most of us...
How do you deal with failure? Because, yeah... it happens. Regularly.
Recently, I tried to bake a cake for my friend's birthday. It was supposed to be a masterpiece. A *fluffy*, layered, beautiful thing. Instead? It was… a dense, dry brick. I mean, truly awful. I almost cried. My *friend* ate it. We laughed. It's one of many lessons learned from that day.
And the answer? Okay, it's a work in progress, but here's what I try: * **Acknowledge the suck.** Let yourself feel it. Don't bury it. Scream into a pillow. Do what you gotta do. * **Learn.** What went wrong? (In my case, I forgot the butter.) * **Try again!** Or don't. Sometimes you've got to just laugh it off and move on to plan B (or C, or D...). * **Find a reason to laugh at it.** Seriously. It helps. Otherwise, failure will eat you alive.
What about love? What is it even?
Here's what I *think* I know: It’s not always fireworks and rom-com moments. It's farting in front of someone and still wanting to kiss them. It's the annoying little habits you learn to live with. It's the moments when you look at someone, and they just… *get* you. Raw imperfections and all. The bad breath and the unwashed dishes.
I've been in love, and I've had my heart broken (more than once, let's be real). It hurt like hell. But even the bad bits, the heart-wrenching, soul-crushing, "I'll never love again" moments? They’re worth it. Because love, even when it hurts, is magic. It's worth fighting for.
What kind of advice would you give to your younger self?
First and foremost: "Eat the damn cake." Stop worrying about fitting in, being perfect, or what other people think.
Listen to your gut. Your instincts are usually right, even when your brain is screaming the opposite.
And most importantly: Don't let anyone dim your sparkle. Or tell you what to do with your life. It is your life, own it. Make your own mistakes. Be kind to yourself.
What keeps you going, through it all?
But then… there's a sunrise. Or a laugh with a friend. Or a truly perfect cup of coffee.
It’s the little things, the moments of joy, the connections, the hope. The unwavering hope that, despite it all, tomorrow might be a little bit brighter. More than anything, I keep going because I'm curiousWorld Of Lodging
