Alojamiento Rural El Cubillo

There’s no place to swim here, so it’s either the municipal pool in Vejer or a drive to El Palmar beach. It was very hot during our stay, and the ceiling fan didn’t do much. The place itself is quiet, has a shared kitchen, and is near the watermill route. Isabel and the other staff were really lovely.

The main problem was the hot water. On our first night back from the beach, the shower only produced a tiny trickle. I had to hold the faucet part that sends water upward just to get some flow, and still couldn’t rinse off the soap before switching to freezing water. My brother, cousin, and parents were in other rooms and all ended up showering in ice-cold water. When we told Isabel, the owner, she wasn’t helpful or proactive. She said things like “Well, there is water,” meaning cold water, and that the guests before us hadn’t mentioned any problem. She also said, “This isn’t a hotel,” and that her own house had fewer amenities than our rooms. In my view, this shouldn’t even be considered rural accommodation. She called a plumber for the next day, but stayed defensive throughout. She seemed surprised, as though this had never happened before, even though I’ve seen other guests complain about the same issue. The next day it was supposedly “fixed.” There was more water, but still not enough for what I’d consider normal comfort in an average home. There were other problems too. The shower curtains sagged in one section and looked very old, there was no hand soap in the bathroom, and they didn’t replace towels, empty the bathroom bin, or clean daily. The rooms were unbearably hot, and the ceiling fans barely helped. When my brother complained, Isabel said she’d bring a portable fan. The one she brought is in the picture. Its cover popped off when she plugged it in, and luckily nobody got hit, though someone could have been hurt. There were several centimeters of dust above the fan blades. The cleanliness left a lot to be desired, and the bedspreads, towels, and sheets all badly needed replacing. Isabel was distant, curt, and evasive the rest of the time. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. Price wasn’t the issue, I’ve stayed elsewhere for the same amount and had a completely different experience. Vejer and the surrounding area made for an otherwise great weekend, which is why it’s such a shame this was the only bad part. My parents paid €540 for two nights for six people, a major expense for them. It was their only two days of vacation away from home all year, and the stay at this rural guesthouse left us with a bitter taste.

There’s parking for several cars, and at least three restaurants are within 50 meters of the entrance. The owner was very friendly, the rooms were clean, and the water pressure was strong, with scalding hot water. There’s also a shared kitchen where you can prepare whatever you like.

The owners were warm and welcoming, and you can buy their excellent vegetables on site. The apartment was lovely and very clean, with a well-equipped shared kitchen and beautiful views across the countryside and Vejer. It’s only 15 minutes from the beaches and makes a great base for exploring the region. I highly recommend it.