Ca l'Helena

That big pool, with sunshine all day and plenty of privacy, was the highlight of our vacation at Ca l’Helena. The four bedrooms each had their own bathroom, which worked really well for our large family. Quim was warm and friendly, and communication was smooth from the start right through to the end. We were glad we chose to stay here.

The rooftop view was wonderful, and the beds were new and incredibly comfortable, which mattered more to me than having a perfect terrace. The chairs and table up there could use replacing, though. We had a lovely time in the beautiful apartment, and the owner was very friendly and gave us useful tips for getting around the area.

The big kitchen, barbecue and pool were a hit, and having a bathroom for every bedroom was handy. We were just four people, but there's loads of room indoors and out, so the house suits a larger group too. Quim communicated really well and sent us plenty of useful suggestions for nearby activities. The village is small, with the city and the beach both about 15 minutes away. It’s a good base for seeing the Penedès area and taking a day trip to Barcelona.

The traffic was the main letdown for us. Motorbikes race through the village from early in the day until late at night, and at times it feels like a racetrack. It’s hard to understand why there are no speed bumps. The owner may not be able to change that, but it’s something to keep in mind. Inside, the house gets very hot in summer, especially the bedrooms. The ceiling fan barely cools things down, so we bought two extra fans. The mattresses also need improvement for a house at this price. I regularly woke up in pain. The garden chairs hurt after sitting for a while and really need replacing, and the frying pan’s bottom has come off. Even with those problems, we had a great holiday and appreciated the owner’s hospitality. The house is spacious, clean and well equipped, with a lovely garden and pool in a beautiful, storybook village. Sitges, alta fula, coma ruga and other lovely beaches are easy to visit, and the pool was refreshing on hot summer days. The owner is friendly and attentive to guests.