El Rincón de Elsa VuT AV296

You can hear the river from the windows, and there are several restaurants close by. The house itself has lovely decor and plenty of thoughtful extras, from books and board games to sewing things and a scale. From the street it looks vintage, but inside it’s charming. There’s no patio or terrace, though nature is all around. The kitchen is fully equipped but small, so meals have to be eaten in the living room. In winter, the pellet stove there is the better choice, with spare bags under one bed and even an ash vacuum provided. A few things could be better: a ceramic heater in the bathroom, more living room lighting for reading or studying, and a steadier TV signal, which sometimes drops. Since it’s in an apartment building, you can hear the neighbors. The children’s beds and pillows were great, while the double bed mattress felt a bit firm to me. Places to visit nearby include Cuevas del Águila, the Bee Museum and Charco Verde.

The river is like background music while you’re in the house, and the views are spectacular. We came for a few relaxing family days after friends recommended it, and found a charming little place in the heart of the Sierra de Gredos, furnished down to the smallest detail. The owners were delightful and suggested places to see. Dinner at the campsite next door was a real find. We’d planned to stay at a Parador in Segovia in November, but liked this place so much that we’ll be back at "El rincón de Elsa." 9/10.

Guisando is a charming little town, and the service here was wonderful. We accidentally left our coats inside after returning the keys, and they were incredibly helpful. The place was spotless and every detail had been taken care of. I highly recommend it.

The area is lovely for hiking, and the apartment was great. The kitchen had everything we needed, plus they provided a crib and board games. We’ll be back.