Finca Abogat

The 360-degree sunset views were beautiful, and we had a nice paella on the first day. When some guests got stranded in Xativa on Sunday, the owner drove out to pick them up. Be sure everyone arranges transport ahead of time, especially for a Sunday arrival, since leaving can be difficult without a ride and the nearest town is about a 40-minute walk away. The staff did respond to and fix our problems the same day, and they arranged a gas bonfire for our final-day closing ceremony, which was a nice touch. Still, I wouldn't recommend this place for a retreat. We spent much of our energy dealing with guests' problems, and that's what they ended up talking about. Staff communication was poor, and the customer service felt lacking. They often seemed annoyed when we made requests. Meals were in a shared area on the other side of the house with the owners and 4-6 young work away helpers. The living conditions were unsanitary, with visible mold, bathrooms without enough ventilation, and food safety problems. We had to repeat dietary restrictions several times before meals. Lunch was sandwiches every day, some food wasn't properly cooked, and kittens crawled on the counters and ate the food. This isn't catering. The place also wasn't accessible for anyone unable to manage stairs, and we hadn't been told that beforehand. The website photos were very outdated, and these aren't the “luxury accommodations” advertised. Our guests were unhappy with that. People also complained about back pain from the old, thin mattresses. The shared rooms had small twin beds that weren't large enough for average-sized adults. The pictured “presentation area” isn't available to guests. We held our weeklong trainings in the dining and living room, which has a TV. There's no dedicated indoor yoga space, and the available mats were thin. Expect to be covered in mosquitoes by the end. Despite the no-pets claim, two dogs and three kittens were around. There were some happy moments with the animals, but mostly they were distracting, and there was no flea treatment. The trails they promote weren't well maintained. When we asked about them, we were told to use the main road, which has no sidewalks, so we had to watch out for cars.

A lovely, cozy home tucked into nature, with a great pool. Such a relaxing stay. I'll definitely come back.

For my wife's 60th birthday, we brought about 10 friends over from the US for a week, and everyone loved the property. The owner and host made us feel welcome while still giving us as much privacy as we wanted. The place is charming, eclectic, and rustic, so don't expect an American-style hotel. The surrounding hills and orchards look beautiful from every direction. It's a great spot for friends to get away while staying close to Valencia and the smaller nearby town. The hosts arranged everything for my wife's party, including live entertainment, and provided every meal during the week. It all went smoothly and as planned. We had an unforgettable time.

The place looked nothing like the pictures. There's no mini golf or any kind of sports to do nearby. With more than 20 of us there, the owner and his wife couldn't see why we needed the washing machine more than once a day. Other places had let us use theirs for free. I was surprised the owners used the same machine too, since they apparently chose to stay in the house next door even though they live somewhere else. I've never had owners share their washing machine with guests. The stove was already broken when we arrived, but he blamed us for breaking it. The bottom of the pool never got cleaned, and the toilets were in bad shape and started falling apart like cardboard. He said we should pay more because we'd used too much electricity, then told us to cut down on the air conditioning. I've never stayed anywhere where the owners charged extra for electricity.