Casa Sibarita

Rafelguaraf, Valencia & Costa Blanca, Spain
Book from GBP Book from £63 per night

Lovingly restored guesthouse in a quiet village near Valencia, with a sun-warmed pool, lovely food and 5 great-value bedrooms

Lovingly restored guesthouse in a quiet village near Valencia, with a sun-warmed pool, lovely food and 5 great-value bedrooms

If you're looking for a welcoming, good-value, unpretentious getaway in a small, authentic Spanish town, with near-guaranteed sunshine to boot, then look no further. Built in 1880, this traditional townhouse a short drive from vibrant Valencia has been artfully restored and imbued with a simple, colourful charm. Enter through giant carved doors to find an open-plan ground floor boasting high wood-beamed ceilings and pretty tiled floors.

Step through to the rear courtyard, where flowers burst out of window boxes, and a slim sun-warmed pool awaits. This is the spot to enjoy delicious breakfasts, or sunset drinks from the bar; or to while away lazy days with a good book. There's a lovely, bohemian-meets-Moorish vibe inside, and bookshelves in the salon invite relaxed lounging. The 5 bedrooms upstairs are simple but spick-and-span, with immaculately kept bathrooms. Your hosts can point you to sandy beaches (Cullera, 40 mins' drive, is a favourite) or spectacular Xàtiva castle (15 mins), and give you the lowdown on Valencia's best bars and boutiques (45 mins). This is a well-priced little gem with a lovely, friendly vibe - a great base for exploring this under-the-radar region.

Highs

  • A winning combination of authentic Spain with cosmopolitan touches: modern art, woven sculptures, Art Deco lamps
  • We loved lounging by the spotless 11-metre swimming pool and flower-filled courtyard
  • Friendly owners Eric and Frederique are eager to ensure your stay is all it should be
  • The elegant city of Valencia is within easy reach, as are sandy beaches and rugged mountains

Lows

  • Don't expect full hotel services: this is a simple, friendly, immaculately kept guesthouse
  • Rafelguaraf is an authentic Spanish town with a few bars and a post office - but it won't keep you up at night
  • You'll need a car to explore (there's free parking in the street)
  • No kids under 12 permitted

Best time to go

We'd advise going in spring or autumn if you can, when the weather is reliably sunny and much warmer than northern Europe. Summer in southern Spain can of course be very hot, but there is a pool here, and bedrooms have air-con. The hotel is closed December - March.

Our top tips

We absolutely loved exploring Xativa (15 minute drive) for its preserved historical centre and fantastic castle, which has a long history, two peaks and fabulous views

Great for...

Cheap & Chic
  • Boutique Guesthouse
  • 5 rooms
  • Breakfast only; bars and restaurants nearby
  • Over 12s only
  • Closed: Mid-December - March 31st
  • Outdoor Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car recommended
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
Room:

Rooms

The 5 bedrooms at Casa Sibarita are named after Spanish towns. Girona and Sevilla are lovely terrace doubles with their own balcony overlooking the pool. Granada is a twin with a Juliet balcony facing the street, while Salamanca and Valencia are doubles without a balcony. Fresh white bedspreads and excellent quality linen are topped with bright cushions that complement the artworks that adorn the walls. We liked the roomy wardrobe (with proper hangers) and our little private patio, complete with sun umbrella and lounger. The rooms get cleaned every day, and the bathrooms feature walk-in showers and plenty of toiletries.

All bedrooms are on the first floor, and a mosaic-covered staircase leads down to a high-ceilinged hallway and a communal living / dining area. In the sitting room, comfy sofas circle around a woodburner and large TV. The imposing back doors open onto the plant-dotted pool terrace, which is, in the summer months, an all-day sunny hangout.

Features include:

  • Air conditioning
  • Bathrobes
  • Hairdryer
  • Radio
  • Toiletries
  • WiFi

Eating

Breakfast can be taken in the dining room or out on the pool terrace. Expect fresh seasonal fruit - the watermelon and kiwis are delicious - as well as bread and pastries, eggs to your liking, local cheeses and orange juice (which, for much of the year, comes freshly squeezed). Occasionally there might even be a homemade cake.

There's a wide selection of beers, wines, cava and spirits available all day, which you can enjoy whilst lounging around the pool or on the terraces.

For light meals in walking distance, there are no fewer than 5 tapas bars and cafés in the village - Transit gets good reviews. For anything fancier, you'll need to drive - for example to Xativa or Castello (10 mins), or of course to Valencia (50 mins) - home of Spain's finest paella and some superb tapas and cocktail bars.

Features include:

  • Bar
  • Breakfast
  • Honesty bar
  • Restaurants nearby
  • Room service
  • Vegetarian options
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Meander about the nearby medieval town of Xàtiva (15 mins), set at the foot of the Serra del Castell. An amazing and imposing Roman / Moorish / Crusader castle looms over its cobblestone lanes and tinkling fountains (it’s known as the ciudad de las mil fuentes)
  • Swim and sunbathe on the beautiful sandy beaches at Platja de Tavernes (30-45 mins), which run between the towns of Cullera and Gandía
  • Shop along the tree-lined promenade in Gandía, also home to the magnificent 14th-century Palacio Ducal de los Borjas
  • Hike through the pine-clad hills surrounding Rafelguaraf
  • Spend the day in Valencia (45 mins) with its revamped waterfront, historic centre and stunning City of Arts and Sciences complex
  • Or stay put for a day, soaking up the rays by the tranquil pool

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Cycling
  • Hiking
  • Historical sites
  • Museums / galleries
  • Shopping / markets
  • Swimming
  • Wine tasting

Kids

Kids over 12 are welcome but note that there are no extra beds.

Family friendly accommodation:

Families with 1 or more teenagers with them will have to book adjacent rooms.

Kid Friendly:

Location

Casa Sibarita is in the village of Rafelguaraf, a 45-minute drive from Valencia.

By Air
Fly into Valencia Manises (65km) or Alicante (140km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
We recommend hiring a car. Otherwise book a taxi; or take the metro from Valencia airport to Estación El Norte, then catch a train to Xàtiva (30 mins) and a taxi from there (15 mins).

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.

More on getting to Valencia and getting around

Airports:

  • Valencia Manises 65.0 km VLC
  • Alicante 140.0 km ALC

Other:

  • Beach 30.0 km
  • Shops 0.1 km
  • Restaurant 0.1 km

Our guests' ratings...

Based on 4 independent reviews from i-escape guests

10/10
Room
10/10
Food
9/10
Service
9/10
Value
10/10
Overall

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Rates for Casa Sibarita

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