Reviews
Review from guests
Not having line-hung clothes in decades of city life, we took special delight in the sweet freshness the local breeze gave ours on the day after arrival. We soon began to ponder cashing in our new-build Palm Spring home and moving to Gaucin. All the accolades on the previous pages ring true. J and E have created a wonder. The views, the air, the quiet, and birdlife, the garden, the childhood-evoking path to town, and the thoughtful design all conspired to prevent us from getting in our car and driving anywhere. Don’t miss Azulete or Platero & Co, although the flavors and feel of the village are wonderful as a whole. With sincere gratitude…may we meet again,
We really loved our week here and would love to come back sometime. Thank you so much for your hospitality! Things we loved J: Swimming in the pool, vulture watching, amazing views, Peace and quiet, spotting lizards, Elizabeth singing!, visiting the castle, lunch at Platero & Co, Cominito del Rey, tapas at La Esquinita, assistance from Jonas, the climate, lazy mornings, lazy afternoons, pan from Alimentacion Andrdes, Chuleton from Ruiz Galan, meeting the burro, wine tasting at Cortijo los Aguilares (adults), Wifi (kids) Things we didn’t like L: Leaving
What a great holiday! If you’re about to stay congratulations! If your Jonas and Elizabeth even bigger congratulations!! You have created a beautiful and comfortable home that we have loved being able to enjoy for a week. Will miss those views and all the bird life to watch. We even got to see a few bats at dusk. For future guests, we enjoyed meals at La Teberna del Zorro (very tasty chipirones) and at el Pajeulo (friendly service and good gambas pil pil) I don’t think you can go wrong in Gaucin. We hope to be back. And next time must try to leave some artwork in here too! Many thanks, J and E, for your great hospitality,
Thank you so much for such a warm welcome! I think you could tell was a little frazzled when I arrived! Leaving a week later completely rested. This place is truly amazing – I could never tire of the trees, the birds, the sounds and smells. The pool is perfect – The kids liked playing and of course jumping!!! Hope the terracotta will recover! We loved the deli food and I enjoyed my morning trips out to get bread, pastries and lemon tarts! I really hope to be back soon. Thanks again,
We are beyond words to describe this place…either in the morning, afternoon or at night, this place has true “dunde”. Thanks for such a lovely home away from home. Also loved the birds. We couldent have wished for better hosts and are truly grateful for all your hospitality and warmth, All the best of luck in this beautiful place. Love,
Muchas gracias, Jonas, por tu simpatía y disponibilidad y todo el tiempo. La casa es muy bonita y acogedora y puedes descubrirla allí y cocinar mucha felicidad. Las vistas son impresionantes. Buen detalle los prismáticos. Una semana relajada y tranquila, para recargar las pilas. Espero que vuelvas por aquí y podamos volver a vernos. Un abrazo,
This house has EVERYTHNG including a cocktail shaker!! We have had such a wonderful week, full of peace and tranquility, your home is an absolute piece of heaven. We had long walks before it got to hot (thanks for Wikiloks – a life changer!) coffee in the village and afternoons by the pool, soaking up the view, watching the buzzards and trying to catch the perfect picture of swallows by the pool. As for both of you – such kindness and generosity. The walk on the first day with Elizabeth set us up for the week (what a guide) and now we know how to play MSU!! We will be back for sure and we return home recharged and ready for life next challenge. Favorite house spots: LEDGE OF THE WORLD (edge of the pool, reading corner (under the tree in the garden) Yoga spot (thanks for the mat!) Thank you again,
We have had a magical week full of wonderful food, beautiful singing, floating in the pool and dog adventures to visit the vulture nest! Particularly excellent dinner at Azulete. Wonderful views from the Eagles Nest Castle (I wonder what is in the reliquary?) Daily hikes into the valley or around the village, We are super relaxed, a bit sunburned and so very glad we got to spend time in this beautiful place. Much Love,
Thank you for making us feel so welcome at El Refugio we’ve had a wonderful two week break in your lovely home and will take back to Somerset treasured memories. The Villa is perfect for a grown family and we have felt very well cared for. The views, wildlife and scenery are truly inspiring as well as impressive. You can’t help but be blown away by it all. The peace and quiet is also our greatly appreciated. We won’t forget our time here in any time soon! Hope to see you both soon. Love,
Almost a year exactly to the day since we were here and as promised we’re back!! How could we not be though, with beautiful scenery, weather on top, and the most amazing hosts and their beautiful home. Nothing like it for recuperation and rest and an amazing week…now must remember a booking for 2023..thanks and best wishes
Stunning! What a find. Jonas and Elizabeth you have a fantastic home here. Thank you for letting us share it. The views and surroundings are wonderful and we have thoroughly enjoyed just sitting…and looking. The Village is an easy walk with plenty of places to eat. We really enjoyed Azulete and Atico. The music night at LA Fructuosa was something special, with Elizabeth singing. Hopefully our paths with cross again one day.
After 3 days travelling from Santander on our motor bike, it was all worth it when we arrived in Gaucin to be greeted by Jonas with his welcoming smile and shopping bags to help us buy our supplies! This is probably the loveliest house and village we have ever stayed in. You have thought of every detail in the villa and the views and pool are wonderful. Thank you both for your help and hospitality. All the restaurants in the village are great, but we enjoyed Platero the most – the meal was delicious. We really hope to return next year
What a wonderful week as El Refugio! We shall miss the huge kindness, hospitality and excellent recommendations of Jonas and Elizabeth! We shall miss the ever changing spectacular view across the mountains and valley to Gibraltar and North Africa. We shall miss the clear skies – blue by day and or night black dotted with lights. We shall miss the pool and the beautiful garden – particularly by the blue door – the smells of lavender, jasmine and herbs. We shall miss the songbirds and of course the majestic vultures swooping past at midday! Thank you – a special place you have created Jonas and Elizabeth. We are grateful to you and Deefer and Maggie for allowing us into your world for a week
It has been wonderful to stay at El Refugio, our first time allowed to travel out of Britain for more than 2 years. What a treat to arrive here and find the most beautiful house and views to die for!! We have loved the comfortable beds and superb linens. No shortage of good places to eat! Thanks very much to Jonas and Elizabeth for all their help.
Thank you for the most wonderful week in your beautiful house! We had the perfect stay with time to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views and birdsong from across the valley. Thank you for the tour of Gaucin and the recommendation of Azulete (which was incredible!) and all your help and kindness during our stay. We will miss this little piece of heaven and will definitely be back!
We toughly enjoyed our stay at El Refugio! We were surprised by the view of Gibraltar and Morocco from the house and also the many beautiful birds surrounding us. The house has impressed us by its aesthetic character. A very big thank you for the tour of Gaucin and the many tips, which we put to good use. You two are a fantastic couple, always discreet, but very helpful and warm! El Refugio really made our trip to Spain wonderful after a bit of a disappointing week on the Costa Blanca. The people here in Gaucin are very friendly and helpful. We’ve lost our hearts here and if we come back to Andalucía, it will be with you again, without any doubt. Much regret we have to leave! With love,
What a wonderful time we have had playing in El Refugio! This really is a little piece of heaven. The house, the view, the Miami vice pool…its all just perfect. But we especially enjoyed your warm hospitality! You are two beautiful people who have made their dreams come true. Good luck for you both, Elizabeth: make that CD!!! We will certainly buy it!! Thanks for everything,
Thank you so much for an amazing week as El Refugio. You really have created a perfect paradise here in Gaucin, we could not have asked you for anything more. The view is just incredible and the house so beautifully and thoughtfully refurbished. Gaucin itself is so pretty and blessed with an such an array of wonderful restaurants. We particularly enjoyed Azulete and Platero & Co. and the live music night at La Fructuosa was great fun. Homemade curries from the lovely Scottish ladies at the deli: another night meant we hardly had to cook at all! We didn’t stray from the house the castle is a must and also enjoyed a walk up El Hacho. Thanks for being such lovely friendly hosts – we will be back!
¡Gracias por todo! Sois magníficos anfitriones. Nos ayudan con todo lo que necesitamos, ¡y más! ¡Hemos sentido "el refugio" como nuestro casa! Elizabeth, hemos disfrutado mucho tus canciones, eres una gran cantante. gracias jonas por la sorpresa! Felices de ser "los primeros españoles" que disfrutaron de este paraíso. Un fuerte abrazo,
We are in love with your home and this lovely town! You have thought of everything one needs to have a fabulous and comfortable stay. This is truly a little slice of heaven. I recommend the Flamenco in Ronda and our dinner last night at Azulete was delicious! Thank you so much for your hospitality
Just wow! What a fabulous home you have both built. We were both blown away blown away by it and it is by far the best property we’ve stayed in. You’ve the perfect blend of a superb views, super interesting property and great location. To top it all off your welcome and hospitality has completed our holiday. We feel blessed to have been the first to stay and will leave wishing we’d had longer and having made some new friends in this beautiful corner of the world. We hope to be back and to see you both soon. If you fancy a stay in the Cotswold’s, you have our number!