Casa Rural Donatila

The water is coming out brown, like chocolate, and isn't suitable for drinking or washing. It seems there may be a supply problem. I understand that may not be the owner's fault, but guests should be told before they arrive and offered the chance to cancel. We still have two days here, so I'll leave it at that for now. There's also not enough hot water for everyone to shower at once. At the moment, only cold water is coming out. The house is advertised for 13 people, so I suppose hot water use is limited. We were freezing last night. It's Easter week, the high outside is only 14 degrees Celsius, and inside the house feels even colder. It's been raining, so there's not much we can do about the weather. We asked the owner to turn on the heating and provide firewood for the fireplace, but the heating switched off overnight, the bedroom radiators were only lukewarm, and there was no firewood. We woke up to radiators that were off. The owner controls the heating, and we couldn't find a thermostat anywhere. I had read that it gets very hot in summer, especially on the top floor, but nothing about how cold it can get in bad weather. We live in the mountains, where it's much colder than here, so we're used to heating. There's no Wi-Fi. I assume the old house and thick walls are the reason, but then it shouldn't be advertised as having Wi-Fi. None of our nine phones could connect. I don't think the price is worth being this cold. There's nowhere for everyone to sit down for a meal together. The kitchen table seats six, and the upstairs living room can just about fit eight if everyone squeezes in. Choose carefully, and check the forecast for your stay. In our case, we won't be coming back.

We spent a lovely week here in July. The village was very quiet, and the house felt warm and welcoming, as well as being super clean. The place is beautiful, decorated with care and authenticity. We especially enjoyed the garden, pool, and barbecue, all kept clean every day. We made the most of it! Thanks to the owner for being so kind and for her tips on exploring the area.

Maria Jose was so thoughtful throughout our 15 days with friends. There was always a little something waiting for us, jam, figs, watermelon, ice cream, mushrooms, and she made everything easier by putting us in touch with local suppliers of quality products. We had some lovely hikes, and the Sierra de Gata has countless places to visit and eat. The house deserves the positive reviews I've read, and I completely disagree with the negative ones. Yes, there are a lot of wasps around the pool, but none of our 10 people got stung during the 15 days, despite spending plenty of time there. The shared spaces were a real highlight, especially the garden and pool. There's a pantry beside the pool with a wine rack, great for warmer weather. We made memories in the pool and lingered over breakfast in the shade of the grapefruit tree. The antique furniture and decor suit the age of the house, and were both beautiful and comfortable for a longer stay. Having a bathroom in every bedroom was a detail we really appreciated. The kitchen had plenty of utensils, and with the two Thermomixes we brought, we could cook almost as well as in a hotel kitchen every day. Very handy. Just a couple of small things: the Wi-Fi could be much better, and the outdoor lighting isn't sufficient.

The surroundings are beautiful, but they don't make up for how disappointing the house was. There are lots of stairs, so I wouldn't say it's suitable for young children or older people. I hope she makes improvements and doesn't spoil more families' vacations. The house has potential, but it needs proper investment in repairs and upkeep. It feels like improvements went into the owner's home instead of the rental house. The place is poorly maintained, with dirt and grime that seem to have been there a long time. The windows and doors don't shut properly or insulate well. The kitchen was dirty and had very little equipment, and neither the stove nor the refrigerator worked properly. Also, sharing the house with the owner takes away from your privacy.