Previous visitors remarks

From the newspapers

The Guardian

July 2009, The Guardian, UK. "A lovely villa, right in the city centre of Granada. It actually shares its garden wall with the Alhambra. It is a big place, with gardens and a swimming pool (quite rare in any city centre).

Bars, restaurants, shops and the magnificent Alhambra palace all in easy walking distance. Most of the terraces have fantastic views over the Albaicin (old Arabic quarter). It may seem a bit on the expensive side, but really isn't when you take a reasonable sized group and see the price per person.

We used the villa for a joint family holiday, it was perfect as it catered to all of us - adults, teenagers and the smaller kids. Definitely one of our top three family holidays".

From the UK

Mr Hood and his family stayed in the autumn, and sent this note at the end of their stay.

We had a glorious time at your very special house, which one of my children referred to as paradise. Mikel was a great help, and Teresa produced a jewel of a nanny. I believe you were arriving the day we left, and hope the fine weather continued. Many thanks.

The Stanton family stayed in the summer, and wrote these words

Just to let you know we had a fabulous holiday in Granada, a large part of which was due to your lovely house. It was universally agreed that the view from the terrace off the lounge was the best in town! Although we spent a few evenings exploring Granada, most of the time was spent at the house, enjoying the peaceful serenity and watching the sun set with a glass or two of wine. Two of the visitors were in tears at leaving on the Saturday, so you can’t get a better recommendation than that!

one of the evening views from the house

The Drummond family stayed in the summer

This is to report that we had a perfectly delightful stay at Carmen de Santa Ana. All the arrangements worked as planned, and we would like to emphasise our appreciation of your descriptions and introductions: the house and the place were exactly as you said. If anything, you could have said a little more:-

1. The weather, although hot, was quite bearable on account of the low humidity, the slight breezes and the cooler nights.
2. There are few mosquitoes
3. Granada offers numerous architectural and cultural delights beyond having the Alhambra. We particularly enjoyed the museums and monasteries around Albaycin; and the Lorca House near Plaza Neptune (and also the wash'n'dry facility for dogs at the garage close by, but that's another story)
4. We had a particularly memorable day with Shaun and Csilla Allen of www.ridesierranevada.com, who took the boys mountain biking, and the girls on a 25 mile long downhill freewheel to the sea. That's a new service we thought we'd discovered for ourselves, but it turns out Shaun and Nick Stephens are already acquainted. .

The Halperns stayed in Spring

Back from Spain (sadly). We loved Granada and the villa was really great.
Thanks again.

The Worthingtons stayed in early Spring

We had a great trip, and loved your house. Everyone was relieved that there were so many spaces in the house and grounds where they could get a bit of peace and quiet, which I am sure averted familial disputes. As it was, it was all very happy and harmonious. My husband and I were lucky enough to win the draw for the tower room - it really was stunning, and a perfect eyrie from which to spot swallows swooping for insects. Very relaxing!

As for the heating, I think we used it for about two nights, as the weather got much warmer.

I didn't get to photograph the paintings our visitors made, due to leaving early, but will ask them if they can do so themselves and forward on to me for you. The light was perfect. Two further points: it was very easy to get night tickets for the Alhambra, enabling us to see it without the crowds of the daytime. May be worth putting on visitor pages if it isn't already there. Mikel was great - really helpful, friendly and cheerful.

Then, re: the great music system, we found that using playlists on iTunes worked better than doing it the way recommended on the visitor pages, which would only play one track at a time.

I'd love to think that that is not our only visit to Carmen de Santa Ana.

The Websters stayed in the late summer

The house is in a fantastic location and all 10 of our party had a great holiday, enjoying the culture, food, weather, architecture, museums and art galleries. Beds very comfortable, house charming and fairly well-equipped. A brilliant place to be.

Nick was away on holiday at the beginning of our stay so was unable to supply food for us when we arrived, but he cooked a superb, memorable meal on our last evening.

So did the Hepburns

"The villa was charming, Nick was great, Granada was amazing. I would add tapas at Rincon del Pepe in the Arab quarter as a great way to waste an afternoon in convivial company. The only blot was the number of steps, which was a bit challenging for my mum, but even so she rates the holiday of one of the best ever! And she’s been a few places."

As did Jane and David C.

We have greatly enjoyed our week here. Mikel has been a great help and Maria's meal on Saturday night was a huge success which she seemed to enjoy as much as we did.

From the Netherlands

The Bridgett family held a wedding in the summer

The villa was great and the drinks party we had on Thursday went perfectly thanks to Mikel and Theresa.

The Laverman family stayed there in the summer

We have had a very pleasant stay in your villa. Our compliments for the house and the location.

From Ireland

The Canavans held a wedding in the spring

N, how are you? V here just sending you some bank details as requested. How to describe our stay and the villa ? When my friends asked me about our wedding all I've been saying is...fairy tail dot com. And your villa had a huge part to play in that, if you would like to give anyone my details to contact me as to elaborate please feel free to do so. V

The Norburys stayed in August for 2 weeks

We had a very enjoyable holiday. The house is in a wonderful location with stunning views and made an excellent base from which to explore the city and beyond.

It is a beautiful and well appointed house which worked well even with twelve people (better in the first week though, when there were only ten of us).
The gardens would be an oasis of calm in which to escape from the heat and dust of the city and we did use the terraces, and swimming pool area all the time. However, keeping gardens such of these in top condition is a huge task and they did feel somewhat neglected.

Mikel was charming and very willing to share his knowledge of the city and its amenities. For example he recommended a Lorca/Flamenco performance at the Generalife and told us that half price tickets were available on Monday nights from the Cortes Ingles. We all enjoyed this hugely and would not have found out about it without his help.

The electric piano was great fun.

It was very useful to have access to the internet e.g. for communication with Nick via email.

What we thought about he chef and his food: Nick was marvellous and his food delicious. The meals he provided were a highlight of our stay in Granada.

 

USA

The Drorbaugh family stayed in the summer

We just had to send you a note to let you know what a wonderful time we had in Granada. Carmen de Santa Ana is exquisite. The pool was a luxury in the heat. We really want you know how much we appreciate Nick. His culinary skills are wonderful - he became a great part of our team while we were there. I can't believe every family who rents Carmen de Santa Ana would not use his services.

The Ellis family stayed in the Autumn, well, the Fall. And got married.

We wanted you to know how much we enjoyed staying at Carmen Santa Ana! If was the perfect place for us to get married! The Villa was comfortable and the garden was grand! Nick made a delicious wedding dinner as well as one of our best dinners the day we arrived. We will definitely send some pics and a note for you to put on your web site if you so desire!

The Jenkinsons came in June.

Just a little e-mail to say a big thank you for letting us stay in your house in Granada. We had a great time... the house is wonderful.

We were fortunate in that the festival of music and dance was happening. We've come back very cultured and have experienced some of the more exclusive venues in Granada.

Some places visitors have recommended

A student point of view

My father rented the Villa for my family to visit me whilst I was on my Erasmus year in Granada. I would like to suggest information that would be useful to add to your web page, especially in the other nightlife link!

Bars:
Babylon, Placeta de la Silleria 5, 18001 Cinco Lunas, Plz. del Poeta Luis Rosales, 18001 Dolce Vita, C/ Elvira El Granero de Abrantes, Plz. del Poeta Luis Rosales, 18001 Gustav Klimt, C/ Imprenta 3, 18001 (just behind Plaza Nueva, nr Hotel Plz. Nueva).
Hannigans & Sons, C/ Cetti Meriem, 18001, 958 224 826 El Son, C/ Jaoquin Costa 13, 18001, 958 225 605 (on the road opposite Hannigans).
Zen, C/ Elvira
Chupiteria, on C/ Pedro Antonio de Alarcon There are many other bars on C/ Pedro Antonio de Alarcon and this, as well as Plz. Einstein, is where many of the students go out.

Clubs:
Granada 10, Carcel Baja 3, 18001
El Camborio, Camino del Sacramonte, 18010 (Downstairs the club is a network of caves and upstairs it is a terrace and a conservatory with stunning views of the Alhambra lit up at night).
Sala Principe, Campo del Principe 7, Realejo Three, Plz. de Gracia

Cinema:
Granada 10, Carcel Baja 3, 18001
evening showings begore the club opens. Get there early to sit on the gold sofas! The bar is open to buy drinks.

Restaurants:
Cunini, Plz. de la Pescaderia 14, open tue-sun noon-4pm, 8pm-midnight. tel: 958 25 07 77 Oliver, Plz. de la Pescaderia 12, 958 26 22 00 Il Gondoliere, C/ Martinez Campos 24, 958 25 18 34 Cantina Mexicana Chile Grande, C/ Ancha de la Virgen 4, 18009, 958 22 12 92

 

.

Weddings

 

The Ellis family stayed in the Autumn, well, the Fall. And got married.

We wanted you to know how much we enjoyed staying at Carmen Santa Ana! If was the perfect place for us to get married! The Villa was comfortable and the garden was grand! Nick made a delicious wedding dinner as well as one
of our best dinners the day we arrived. We will definitely send some pics and a note for you to put on your web site if you so desire!

 

The Canavans held a wedding in the spring

N, how are you? V here just sending you some bank details as requested. How to describe our stay and the villa ? When my friends asked me about our wedding all I've been saying is...fairy tail dot com. And your villa had a huge part to play in that, if you would like to give anyone my details to contact me as to elaborate please feel free to do so. V

 

The Bridgett family held a wedding in the summer

The villa was great and the drinks party we had on Thursday went perfectly thanks to Mikel and Theresa.

 

The O'Donoghues held a wedding in June

Our wedding was wonderful and all went well. Your house was fantastic and I think you should get some repeat business from some of our visitors ! Many thanks, we really enjoyed ouirselves and will no doubt be back at some stage.

 

Testimonials for Nikita, our Thai Yoga Masseuse

Beatrice from Spain, October 2006

Never have I received a Thai Massage like this one you have given.  It’s obvious that you feel it believe it and are integrated in it.  Continue like this because surely you are doing good to many people.  Thanks you.

Ana Belen from Spain, Granada, October 2006

It has been fantastic, the sensations,  experiences, stretches, massages and trwsits.  I love it.  Nibnkita you are very good, very professional and what a wonderful energy.

Marion, from France, October 2006

All good.  It has left me thinking... a wonderful mix of yoga, shiatsu and massage.  I loved it, very soft and strong at the same time.

Chacha, from USA, May 2006

Thai Yoga massage...the best massage I’ve ever gotten.  Apparently I’m pretty flexible...guess you learn something every day.   I’m definitely coming back for more.  I’ll sleep like a baby tonight.  Thanks

Ruben, from Spain, April 2006

Thanks for teaching me to correct my habitual errors.  Good luck.

Heinke, Germany May 2006

Having been born with a problem in the physical structure of my body, I have had many people work on me.  None of the other therapies however had such a profound effect on the wellbeing and posture of my body as the work Nikita practices.  Thanks you so much.  I will dance again.

Paul  from the UK, March 2006

First time experience and very impressed.  I feel this massage is very good for my back aches and important or my happiness.   A bit scary stretching to the limits... always learning my limits since breaking my back a few years ago. 

Estrella from Madrid, August 2006

relaxing.....to feel each muscle and how it can be stretched...to where ?  Still a bit more ?  I’ll be back

Laine from Australia, August 2006

Great.  Exactly what I needed after a long time travelling.  Very effective.  Nikita’s technique is strong, confident and very nice.   Thanks

Alex, Germany, September 2006

A sport for the lazy... I’m exhausted.  But I’ll be back for more training

Jose form Asturias in Spain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

last edited: Sep 2015 | © web site design by tom & polly 2024