Villa Alvarez

The house itself is lovely, with stylish furnishings and a big terrace. There’s an open, covered outdoor kitchen and barbecue, a small but perfectly adequate pool, and planters all around. Once we were there, it was easy to relax in the peaceful setting at 370 metres above sea level. The only distant sound was a faint hum from the A7 motorway, usually carried away by the wind. Getting up the narrow road is another matter. Less experienced drivers may get sweaty, hoping no one is coming down the mountain at the same time. At the top, we all agreed we wouldn’t want to make that drive often, especially at night. But you still need to shop at some point if you don’t want to starve. A closer look turned up a few shortcomings: no electrical outlets in the bathrooms or bedrooms, not enough towel hooks, and a rather sparse supply of dishes, cutlery, and knives. There was a pleasant smell when we arrived, but after two days it turned into an unpleasant sewage smell. October also seemed to bring lots of flies and mosquitoes. Nobody can control that, so bring repellent and something for the bites. All in all, we had a few very relaxing days in a pleasant setting.

The coves are very close, and the pool is fantastic if you don't feel like going to the beach. It's a perfect place to unwind. We didn't need air conditioning because the temperature was so pleasant at bedtime. We'll definitely come back when we get the chance and there's availability.

It's a peaceful place with beautiful views, and we'll definitely return. The villa is lovingly looked after, every detail considered, and spotlessly clean. The owners are charming, helpful, and very welcoming. They really pamper their guests.

We felt comfortable in the rooms and around the pool, and had a great stay. The wasps were the one thing we didn't enjoy, especially around lunchtime.