We don’t know where to start! We have just come back from my husband’s 60th birthday and nobody wanted to leave. We were all downstairs with our cases ready to go and started making plans for the next time in order to overcome the sadness of leaving. We just need a good excuse.
Alfredo, the owner, played the role of tourist guide, taxi driver, shopping helper, firewood provider, house manager… you name it, he did it. It felt as if we knew each other from a long time ago. He makes you feel welcome and at ease. I felt I could ask anything and I am sure if we had had any needs with children or anything else he would have found a solution. In fact, one regret is we did not enjoy his company a little more.
I must warn some, though. When I was looking for somewhere to stay in a big group and I came across some reviews for this place I must confess I had my reservations. Until we spent a few hours there, that is. If you are picky and expecting hotel standards I do not recommend this place. If you are one of those who need everything to be 100% perfect, book yourself a 4/5 star hotel. If you, like me, are looking for “nana’s house”, where everybody can stay together, have breakfast together everyday… you can play the piano, pool and make a barbecue all at once. You can talk with whomever is still awake till 6 o’clock in the morning. This is your place. Mama’s huge house with professionally cleaned bed sheets and towels. The reviews I had read did not discouraged me, since if I have to clean a little after me or even before, for the sake of being in heaven, I have no issues with it whatsoever.
A friend had to come with kids since they had no babysitter available. The house is so immense, though, that even when the kids were playing (with) the piano (under my supervision, I must say), they weren’t driving anyone insane, as would be expected in a smaller place. Everyone had room to play, shout, sing, dance, cook, sit by the fire…
We were planning on doing day trips here and there and ended up staying in the house most of the time, maybe just walking to the beach (literally 10 minutes walk), and as soon as the weather gave us a break I was glued to the barbecue and the garden.
Another thing I would warn future guests is to make sure to make the most of it in every sense, especially if money tends to be an issue with you. We had a couple of friends cancelling last minute and unfortunately that brought the prices up a little for everybody, although it was still easily affordable. If the house had been at full capacity every day the cost would have been more than reasonable, not to say actually really cheap.
All in all, probably the best holiday we’ve had in a long time, and the house itself was as important as the celebration. In fact, I reckon it was the size and comfort of the house that made possible a lot of the fun without stepping on each other’s toes. No cabin fever issues with that big girl!
Alfredo, the second we find a good excuse to get everyone together again you'll find us standing with the cases at your door!!!
Thank you so much for a wonderful time.
All the best,
Francia.