Casa Rural Altzuste Landetxea

Fine.

Such a lovely spot!

The setting is spectacular, and the house itself was acceptable, but our weekend stay was uncomfortable from the moment we arrived. The owners said afterward that this might be because of bad experiences they'd had before. They live on the same property, and it seemed like managing the rental was too much for them. At first they complained that our two young children were running around the rooms. They were excited when we arrived, but that didn't make it okay for an owner to walk into a rented space without permission, stand in their room, and tell them to leave. Later, the neighbors objected to music at 8 in the evening. We weren't having a rave, just an adult family group with a one-year-old baby. The owners were in a rush to collect the remaining balance, and we had to check ourselves in. They also accused us of bringing more children than allowed, even though no limit had been explained to us and we hadn't hidden anything. It was a very bad start, and they made us feel extremely uncomfortable. Saturday was better because the owners weren't around. We did notice that parts of the kitchen weren't clean, especially the oven, which we had to scrub before using. The barbecue in the garden was surrounded by brambles and weeds, making it dangerous, so we had to clear it up as well. On Sunday the hot water stopped working, leaving some of us unable to shower or do the dishes. We contacted the owner but heard back almost three hours later, while we were already packing to leave. We cleared things up with the owners and they apologized, but we won't be back and can't recommend the place. Their apologies didn't feel sincere to us, just a way to avoid a bad review. We only described what happened and were surprised by the owner's disingenuous response. We've stayed in countless rural guesthouses without a single problem, something this establishment can't claim, judging by some of the other reviews here. We attached a photo showing the oven as it was when we arrived, so those “suitable guests” can see what to expect. Glad they know before going.

We also “enjoyed” our stay, along with the other reviewers, so I wanted to respond to the owner. My wife and I are sorry that the experience wasn't pleasant for either of us. We know that running a rural house where you also live can be complicated, and we don't doubt the effort you put into keeping it in good condition. A few things I'd like to clarify respectfully, without trying to start an argument. Young children naturally move around, explore, and have plenty of energy, as they would at home. We teach them to respect rules, of course, but they can't be expected to act like adults, especially when the limits haven't been clearly explained from the outset. Running around or knocking on doors shouldn't be taken as provocation. If it's pointed out kindly, adults can handle that kind of age-typical behavior calmly. We were also surprised to see private parts of the house, including our bedrooms, brought up when the owners shared the property with us. Clearer communication about which spaces were shared and which were private from the beginning would have helped prevent confusion. As for the number of children, we made the reservation based on what seemed reasonable to us. We had no intention of withholding information. We regret that our behavior came across as disrespectful. We tried to enjoy the surroundings without disturbing anyone, and we had no bad intentions. As you said, a property needs guests who suit its style, and travelers need a place where they feel comfortable. I'm glad we can discuss this respectfully, without disparaging remarks. Thanks for your attention, and all the best with your project. Best regards, Luis.