In the Jalon (Xalo) Valley, where the mountains of the Sierra de Bernia meet the beaches of the Costa Blanca, is this beautiful retreat flaunting stunning interior design and a warm, sociable atmosphere.
The grounds span 2 acres of land, with 69 almond trees and little else other than soil, sunsets and dreamy views of the Marina Alta hills. Standing proud at the centre is the charming casa rural - a home with 8 beautiful guest rooms, a pool terrace and a sunny Mediterranean garden. Owner Nicky welcomes you with open arms, as does her daughter Isla, a soppy dog called Natap, donkeys named Bella and Stella, and 6 chickens all called Susan (fresh eggs for breakfast if they are in the mood). As their guests, you are invited to relax, have spa treatments, enjoy the gardens (planted with baby olives, melons, mango, figs and apricots) and make the most of this unspoiled region of Spain.
Highs
- Nicky and her team are natural hosts - warm, attentive and delighted to share their deep love of the area
- A friendly, sociable, house-party atmosphere; popular with friends, solos and couples (and great for families, too)
- Good value
- Stunning scenery, fresh air and spectacular views. Hike and bike through cool pine forests and between the Jalon Valley's 8 mountain villages
- Delicious tapas group dinners often with live music
Lows
- The sound insulation between rooms is not man enough to deal with plumbing noises (or the water pump)
- Rooms are on the small side, though beds are super-kingsize
- No tea- or coffee-making kit in the rooms; help yourself from the terrace's honesty bar
- No credit cards accepted; the balance must be paid in cash or by bank transfer. Note there's a 7-night minimum stay in peak season
- Travel cots
- Highchairs
- Baby bath
- Nappy bin
- Toys
- If requested in advance, baby milk, bottled water, nappies and wipes can be bought for you and added to your bill
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
Available with advance notice
Monitors to borrow that can stretch from bedrooms to the dining terrace
A kids' menu is available, and a special 'Kids tea' is offered 6 evenings per week at 17:30/18:00.
- Swimming pool
- Sandpit
- Chickens to feed
- Swing
- Board games
- Wendy house
- Petanque
- A bicycle carriage to go on the back of an adult bike
- Playgrounds
- Beaches (20-30 minutes' drive)
- Walking and biking
- Aqua parks (30 minutes' drive)
- Markets
- Boutique Hotel
- 8 rooms
- Daily breakfast + dinner by arrangement (+ local restaurants)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
- Yoga and pilates classes on request
Rooms
There are 8 rooms, each with a Valenciano name (Tossalet meaning little hill; L’Ametla is the word for almond) and all housed in a stone building overlooking the pool terrace, the gardens or the mountains. Each has a slightly different look, but they are all simply furnished with clean white, soft grey or cream décor, cool ceramic tiled floors, painted furniture, art on the wall, decorative feature headboards (natural stone or rustic timber) and crisp linens.
Moscatell is the most private, with a tucked-away garden terrace where you can have your breakfast served. The are also 5 other double/twin rooms. L’Ametla and Frigola sit side by side on the ground floor, with French windows opening onto an area of shaded poolside terrace - Frigola has a double bed plus bunks in the same room. Upstairs, Tossalet, Pansa and Bernia have a little less space but more light and better views. Tossalet and Pansa have small sit-out balconies. Bernia is dual aspect with a little Juliet balcony. All bathrooms have showers; no tubs.
Olivera is a lovely 2-bed suite located on the first floor within the main house. The master bedroom has a beautiful, wooden four-poster bed, a dressing room and wonderful views from the Juliet balcony. The twin room is also ensuite with a Juliet balcony, and comes finished with cute touches like bunting and pillows shaped like pooches to make it the perfect kids' bedroom.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Cots available
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Mosquito net
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- Umbrella
- WiFi
Eating
Choose a table in the garden or on a terrace, and breakfast on muesli, yoghurt, beautifully presented trays of fresh fruit (whatever’s in season), baskets of crusty bread with Serrano ham, wedges of Manchego cheese, and little bowls of grated tomato. There's local honey and freshly squeezed juices and, when available, slices of sweet almond cake plus fresh eggs to order.
Light lunches and snacks can be ordered at breakfast, available to help yourself to at the honesty bar in the afternoon (perhaps calamari with spring salad, or Fideuà). You're also welcome to use the kitchen to prepare your own meals. Evening meals are on offer a few times a week; one evening there is a communal dinner - think tapas or paella, sometimes accompanied by live music. On two other nights 4-course private dinners are offered at a table of your choice in the garden with your own chef.
For eating out, Nicky happily recommends local restaurants, from a decent pizzeria and town tapas bars to traditional Spanish bistros.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Communal dining
- Dinner by arrangement
- Full kitchen
- Kids' meals
- Organic produce
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Relax: help yourself to a drink from the honesty bar, grab a sunlounger by the pool, or curl up on a sofa with a book
- Hike: Nicky can suggest many lovely walks in and around the Jalon Valley or up in the mountains. Ask for maps and routes
- Cycle: for pootling around the valley, Cuatre Finques has mountain bikes for guests to use. For more adventurous road cyclists, there are 2 serious bike hire shops in Jalon
- Unwind with a spa treatment (a number of beauty therapies are on offer, along with reiki and reflexology). There's also a complimentary yoga class one morning a week
- Beaches: there are numerous beaches on the Costa Blanca, all within a 30-minute drive. Try the popular resorts of Altea, Denia and Moraira, or the more intimate coves at Benissa or Granadella
- Wine tours: visit the vineyards of the Jalon Valley - best known for the sweet Moscatell grape and a variety of dessert wines
- Stroll into Jalon, a quaint little town with a blue-roofed church, bodegas and a Saturday flea market
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Mountain biking
- Paragliding
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Well being
- Wine tasting
- Yoga
Best Time to go
Come in April before the summer crowds and enjoy the warm springtime air. The freshly sprouted grape vines are stunning throughout the valley, and because it’s not too hot, walking and cycling are wonderful. Though autumn is cooler, the summer heat lingers well into October. The hotel is open from Easter to the end of October annually.
Our Top Tips
Come during Jalon's fiestas (the middle weekend in April, the first fortnight of August and the third weekend of October). There's bull running, eating and drinking on the streets, and live music and dancing until the sun comes up.
Location
Cuatre Finques is set on the edge of Jalón (Xalo) in the Marina Alta region, half an hour’s drive inland from Spain's Costa Blanca.
By Air:
The closest airport is Alicante (95km), roughly an hour by car. Valencia is a little further (112km) and takes 1.5 hours by road. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
The best option is to hire a car so you can explore the area while you're here. Alternatively, take a taxi (Nicky can arrange in advance), but then you'll have to rely on taxis while you're here. For car rentals, click here to see our recommendations. You can park for free at Cuatre Finques.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
More on getting there and getting around
Airports:
- Alicante 95.0 km ALC
- Valencia 112.0 km VLC
Other:
- Beach 45.0 km
- Shops 0.8 km
- Restaurant 0.8 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape