While it is still too hot to light the fireplace, it is also too cold to dive into the pool. According to most people. Because while a few (especially non-Spaniards) still lie outside in the sun with a book and a towel, most guests (especially Spaniards) are certain that the hiking season has started.
Our Spanish guests, who are about to check out and have already walked the Art Rupestre route to Benirrama the day before, ask us – motivated to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Vall de Gallinera just a little bit longer – whether the rock paintings of Benialí are just as clear as the ones in Benirrama. I shake my head. I have never seen the ones in Benirrama myself, but my mother had told me before that that is not the case. “I think the ones from Benirrama are clearer,” I therefore tell them. “Maybe that’s why a number of them were stolen,” I continue. “That is also why all rock paintings (both in Benialí and Benirrama) are now behind bars.” One of the guests shakes his head disapprovingly. “Those damn Spaniards!” he jokes. “They steal everything.” While we all start laughing, my sister takes it even further. “Oh, does that mean I have to check your suitcases before you leave?” she asks in mock surprise. The guy who made the joke earlier immediately responds to it. “Yes! We took everything with us. The hairdryer, the towels, the television…” We all start laughing. “We don’t even have a television…” I burst out. But while we are all still laughing, one of the ladies carefully informs us that she did take the soap. “Of course!”, my sister and I exclaim at the same time. The soaps, which Silvia makes in small sizes especially for us, are for the guests. To use in the room. But of course also to take home if they want to enjoy it for a bit longer.
Reassured that they didn’t really take anything they weren’t supposed to, we wave them goodbye a few minutes later. We have been open for almost a year now and we have not had any unfriendly guests at all. Because although the majority of our current guest base is Spanish – and I read in an article that 67% of the Spaniards deliberately take something from a hotel room – it has never happened to us. It is much more common for guests to leave something behind. A single sock. Underwear that is still between the sheets or under the bed. Or pajamas or shirts they slept in. If they take anything with them, it is the key to the room. And because that never happens on purpose, it is also something that we have always received back. In person. Or by post. Often carefully packaged. Sometimes accompanied by an apologetic note or card. Spaniards may have a reputation for taking something home from a hotel room, but fortunately we’ve never had that experience. On the contrary! We actually think they are exemplary guests.