Casas La Piedra De Tíscar

€800 for three days, and the pool was closed, with nothing around it but dirt. The place itself is old and rather worn; cleaning was passable, but not great. The drive in was the worst I’ve ever had to deal with: about 2 km of rutted, sandy dirt road on a 45-degree slope to the village, then another steep stretch of sand and rocks up to the house. At night you can barely see anything. There’s nowhere close to buy bread, either. The upstairs fridges don’t work, and neither the shower fitting nor the toilet paper holder works.

The fireplace made the stay feel really cozy, and the location was just right for a family break, near the blue fountain and close to Tíscar, but away from everything. We found out there is cell service, despite what we’d read. The owner was very attentive, and the woman who helped us was great about sorting out whatever we asked for. We would’ve loved to stay longer and can’t wait to return. Thanks, Fernando.

The only things we liked were the view and the neighbors. Inside, it felt like a cave, and from the outside the house looked like a Mongolian dwelling. The pillows, mattresses, and sheets seemed ancient. The fridge and faucet were broken, and the cleaning was basically nonexistent, like someone had swept with a rake and wiped the floor with a napkin. Cooking was a problem too: the pans were black, and there weren’t even enough plates for five people. The person handing over the keys seemed fed up with life. €800 for three nights? Seriously?

We’ve booked this place for the fourth year running, and it’s become our go-to for a few relaxed days with family or friends. It was spotless, with fresh sheets and towels and plenty of kitchen utensils. There’s parking, plus a private pool in summer with lovely views. Hiking routes such as El Pilón Azul and La Cueva del Agua are very close by.