Large luxury villa with super pool and gardens near Galicia beaches

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Rustical´s review                                                  See prices

A tremendous holiday property from start to finish, the villa is conveniently located between Vigo and Santiago de Compostela airports (see Galicia map), and just 30 minutes from the Galicia coast and beaches.

Its proverbially sleepy hamlet is surrounded by verdant, hilly countryside. The villa is situated in the centre of the tiny, leafy village, near a grocer’s and butcher’s, by the tree-filled square where stands a detached village pub (see photos).

The country house is a very considerable size – originally two houses that were knocked together – so we’ll lead you through it.

The front garden, fastidiously maintained as is the entire property, has a drive with room for three cars within an electrically operated gate (not that security is a problem in this sleepy corner of Galicia...)

Two entrances pass directly from the front garden to a dining room set for six, or the large sitting area with which it communicates. The sofas are very comfortable, there are a number of decorative objets d’art, the flooring tiled in black, the ceiling of wood. A games table to one side seats five.

Doors open to a well-equipped (double oven, double fridge-freezer) kitchen and breakfast room, which continues to the main living room. Walls of attractive local granite are left alternately bare or plastered in order not to overdo the rustic theme. In the corner is a log fire (there is also complete central heating in winter) and a dining table is set up here as well. One door leads out to the front garden from here, and another to the rear verandah and main gardens, of which more anon.

A banistered staircase rises to the first floor, where seven bedrooms are ranged out along a rambling hallway.

Three rooms are grouped together on the landing. The first has a king-size double bed and is the only one which looks out across the timber deck to the rear gardens (all the others look out onto the front garden). It has an en-suite walk-in power shower in a nicely finished bathroom, the sink sunk into a wood surround, for example. The other two bedrooms here, a comfortable double and a smaller double (for two small children), share a bathroom between them.

The hallway, which is a room in its own right, furnished with sofas and armchairs, a writing desk and paintings, continues round a dog’s leg to four more very comfortable rooms.

All with windows out to the front garden, they all have en-suite shower rooms. The last bedroom, notably larger than the others, has a king-size bed and a wooden cot.

The accommodation, already impressive, starts to get really interesting when you go out outside from the hallway onto the broad, covered, timber deck that runs along the length of the building. Furnished with chunky wooden chairs, it has delightful views over the massive gardens and the surrounding countryside. Only languid country sounds, musical chimes from the old church, and a neighbour’s dwelling in the mid-distance, remind you that you are within a village.

The timber floor of this impressive terrace forms the roof of an equally huge, furnished verandah, an ideal place to gather together en masse for al fresco dining in full view of the gardens and pool. A wooden staircase descends from the first floor deck and you can also access it from the main living room and front garden.

The beautifully kept 4,000 m² (a full acre) of lawned gardens are a delight. Planted with fruit trees, shrubs and flowering plants, the emphasis is nonetheless on the free expanse of green lawn. Children can run and play to their heart’s content here.

Pride of place goes to the 10 m x 5 m mosaic swimming pool, which has night lighting and plenty of sunloungers (we counted 11).

Exploring the gardens, way below we find a brick-built barbecue with simple stone bench seating and table, a swing for children, outdoor table tennis, darts, a pond and an ancient hórreo: one of many you will see around Galicia, these historic grain stores are now under a preservation order. You'll also find an ecological vegetable plot, complete with automatic watering system, from which you are invited to try delicious tomatoes or other produce in season.

At the end of the smooth path leading from the main house and front gardens, in its own private corner, is an extra guest cottage with two double bedrooms and its own private outside terrace. The rooms are at opposite ends of the cottage for maximum privacy and the large kitchen window looks out onto the garens. It is equipped to be completely independent and one of the bedrooms has a shower room with wheelchair access. It is not rented separately: only as additional accommodation to the main house, if required.

In off-peak months, the villa  can be rented by 6 people in three bedrooms, or 8 people in four bedrooms, at the reduced rates indicated below. Unused bedrooms on the first floor are then closed off.

The entire property has WiFi internet and there is a good mobile phone signal for Movistar/Telefónica users.


In the hamlet, everything is close to hand. There’s fresh bread daily and a fish van calls by 5 days a week. There’s a bank, but no ATM: for this, and good restaurants also, we suggest the lovely ten-minute drive through gorgeous countryside to Forcarei. More recommendable restaurants are to be found in the small town of Estrada, the main population centre for the area, which is the same short distance away.

At the coast, just half an hour away you have the sandy beaches of Vilagarcía. A few minutes further on, you can drive the sea bridge to the island of Illa Arousa or continue round the peninsula to fashionable O Grove, where the fabulous beach of La Lanzada is justly famous.

At a similar distance are the beautiful beaches of the Noia-Muros estuary.

The dramatic cliffs and coastline of the Costa da Morte at Finisterre are also within possible day trip reach, but the drive is a full two hours.

A day trip to historic Santiago de Compostela, with its cobbled streets and cathedral, is a top attraction of any stay here.

Our Local information guide (one of your holiday documents) explains the highlights of Santiago as well as providing plenty more information on what to do, what to see and where to eat out in the area.

Wherever you go, you will eat well. Seafood is the Galician speciality par excellence, and if you’ve never tried octopus, this is the place to try it. A cold Albariño or Ribeiro white wine is strongly advised as an accompaniment.

See other:  Large Villas in Spain

Main house
Facilities
5-ring gas hob; two ovens (regular and wood-fired range); microwave; kettle; coffee machine; juicer;  dishwasher;  two fridge-freezers; washing machine; broadband WiFi internet; TV in living room and bedrooms (Spanish channels only); DVD; CD/radio; iron & board; board games; private swimming pool (10 m x 5 m, 1 – 1.6 m deep) with steps and ladder, night lighting and pool shower; garden furniture, sunshades and sunloungers; terrace dining furniture; barbecue; swing; table tennis; darts; pond; 4,000 m² gardens; additional services on request; all linen provided; private parking.

Distribution
On two floors
Ground floor: sitting room; dining room; living room with open fireplace and dining area; large kitchen; two WCs.
First floor: seven bedrooms along a long hallway: 2 twin-bedded with shower room/WC; 2 double-bedded with Kingsize bed and shower room/WC; 1 double-bedded with shower room/WC; 1 double-bedded & 1 more with a smaller double-bed; additional shower room/WC;  broad, covered, furnished wooden deck.
Exterior: large verandah with dining furniture; gardens, swimming pool and parking.

Guest Cottage
Facilities
Cooker with 4 vitroceramic rings; microwave; fridge-freezer; dishwasher; TV; all linen provided.

Distribution
All on one floor: open-plan living/dining room/kitchen; two double-bedded rooms, 1 with en-suite shower room/WC/bidet and wheelchair access; 1 with shower room/WC alongside
Exterior: private, simply furnished outside terrace.

Notes:
-The swimming pool is open from May to October each year, weather permitting.
-The Guest Cottage is available from June to September (and closed the rest of the year).
-Bathrooms have showers over a half bathtub (except the walk-in showers in the first double bedroom and the Guest Cottage)
-Apart from the swimming pool and pond, which are ungated, we consider this villa to be child-friendly.
-Permission must be requested if you are planning to celebrate an event at the property.

Location & Distances
In a quiet hamlet with simple shopping, 10 minutes from Estrada.

Estrada (most facilities, good restaurants)	10 mins
Forcarei (good restaurants)	10 mins
Santiago de Compostela (historic town)	40 mins
Vilagarcia (Compostela beach)	45 mins
Pontevedra	45 mins
Santiago de Compostela Airport	45 mins
O Grove (La Lanzada beach)	1 hr
Noia-Muros estuary (beaches)	1 hr
Vigo Airport	1 hr
Finisterre (Costa da Morte)	2 hrs
Porto Airport (Portugal)	2 hrs 30 mins

Booking information for this property
Changeover day: normally Saturday in summer High Season.
When the villa is rented for 6 people in 3 bedrooms, or 8 people in 4 bedrooms, the unused bedrooms are closed off.
A security deposit of either 200 euros or 200 pounds must be paid in cash to the caretaker on arrival. It will be returned to you in full when you check out, subject to deductions for any breakages or damage.

Prices and dates