Hoyo de Los Lobos

The owner was lovely and very helpful, even if replies sometimes took a little while when she was busy. The neighbors nearby were quiet and friendly, too. We came as a party of 20 for a weekend of swimming and celebrating, and the house worked really well for us. There's loads of room, with a huge living area, plenty of chairs and big tables, and comfortable bedrooms. There are quite a few stairs, but it wasn't an issue for us. The place is strikingly nice, thoughtfully decorated, and very well equipped. Outside, the garden has a table and barbecue, and the pool was great. The industrial kitchen had cookware in abundance, including pots, pans, paella pans, oil and salt. In the living room, the bar's freezer, fridge and ice maker were handy, though the machine was a little loud. Music can't be played loudly after midnight, but with some care we could keep the party going indoors. For us, this was the best rural house we'd stayed in, and very good value.

The quiet was the thing we valued most during our stay at Hoyo de los Lobos in Hoyocasero. Set among the nature of the Sierra de Gredos, it made it easy to step away from everyday life. Pinar de Hoyocasero is close by, with lovely scenery for walks and fresh air. We rented the whole place for a few days, and it suited our group well, with space for more than 20 people. There are several bedrooms with their own bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, and a comfortable, roomy living area. The house was well kept and had useful touches throughout, along with a garden, pool, barbecue, and good heating. We also found excellent food in town, including spots serving homemade local dishes. A comfortable, peaceful base surrounded by nature for a few days with family or friends.

The patio was our favorite spot, with its barbecue, little pool, and big table for meals or board games. The views are lovely from all around, and hiking trails are close by in the Sierra de Gredos. You can get to them without a car. The country house is comfortable and thoughtfully equipped. Every bedroom has its own bathroom, and the four-bedroom rooms also come with a kitchenette, fridge, and sink. We didn't use those, since the shared industrial kitchen was very good.

The owner was very friendly, and both the town and its people made us feel welcome. We had a great weekend there with 18 people, and the house was cozy, though a few things could use attention over time. The beds weren't quite comfortable for us, and three bed frames were broken and noisy. Heating took a long time to warm the house on the first day, and I don't think the system is quite enough for a place this large. Water also came up through the floor drain in some showers, so it was hard to get it to drain properly. The fireplace is connected to the kitchen extractor, which means you can't cook when it's lit. In the middle of winter you'd naturally want a fire to keep warm, so that setup seems worth looking at. These all feel like small maintenance issues.