The house and the stay in the house were amazing. The rooms as well as the garden were perfect for a big group. We felt completely at home and really enjoyed the time in the house. Further, the host was really kind and gave us a warm welcome. Thank you so much for everything, we will definitely come back!
Secluded and charming historic house perfect for large groups
We were a large group (8 adults and 11 kids ranging from 1 to 7 years old) and could not be happier with the property. The house itself is a piece of the region's history, decorated with great taste and incorporating local artifacts that helped to get away. At the same time, we had all the comfort of modern appliances and were well connected. Several different areas were able to accommodate the whole group. The views are breathtaking. Eva was very helpful and easy to communicate with. Unforgettable experience and cannot recommend this property enough. 5/5
We first came to Olmares twenty years ago when our children were little. It is one of the most magical places I have ever stayed. The views are magnificent, the house itself is a beautiful restored stone farmhouse. We were always made welcome by Richard and now by Eva who was an amazing host. This place has to be seen to be believed. I was so very happy to return for a fourth time with my husband , grown up daughter and a friend of ours. Fantastic walks await right out the front door, Potes is a twenty minute drive away, Puente De is forty minutes. There are lots of lovely old villages to explore and incredible food and wine. Thanks Eva for a wonderful stay! We canât wait to come back again.
We used this property as a base for a 2 week walking holiday in the Picos de Europa. It is ideal for people who like fresh air, exercise and simply stunning views. A traditional farmhouse that has been tastefully renovated in keeping with its history and character.
The house is well equipped with all the appliances and utensils you would expect in a property of this calibre. Bathrooms and kitchen are clean with a constant supply of piping hot water. Our host Eva was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Nothing was too much trouble.
I could go on and extolling about the plus points for staying at this property, but go yourselves, you won't be disappointed.
Mike Dillon
Comfortable, well equipped and we liked the beautiful authentic house very much. Nice garden, lovely views, surroundings great for easy and more difficult walks. Swimming pool nearby (some kilometers) at point Asnil at a reasonable rate. Team Olmares was very helpful. Wifi was working well.
Das Haus war genau so, wie wir es erwartet hatten. Wir wurden sehr herzlich empfangen und haben 10 sehr schöne Tage dort verbracht. Das Haus bietet unglaublich viel Platz. Wir waren 8 Erwachsene und 5 Kinder und hatten nie das GefĂŒhl uns im Wege zu stehen. Das Highlight des Hauses war fĂŒr uns die KĂŒche, in der wir jeden Abend lange zusammengesessen haben. Wer urige, gemĂŒtliche HĂ€user mag und auf moderne Schnickschnack ein paar Tage verzichten kann, der findet in Olmares Herrenhaus einen wahren Schatz. Ach ja, die Natur gibt es selbstverstĂ€ndlich auch in HĂŒlle und FĂŒlle rings um Besieda und in einer Stunde ist man am Strand. Was will man mehr?
Olmares Manor House is a step back in history, with wide oak beams and shuttered windows. Itâs location in a quiet village, with views across the valley and hills and handy for exploring Potes and the Picos mountains, is fantastic. The house would benefit from some minor renovations to bring it up to modern expectations without losing its wonderful character, especially in lighting and in the kitchen, but everything works and the kitchen is equipt with most things that a chef needs. The garden and courtyard area were well used for meals and there is outdoor furniture and shade umbrellas. We were there in late August and the mosquitoes were fierce at night, which meant keeping windows closed and made the bedrooms a bit stuffy, with no fans provided. However, the overall experience was that you felt you had had an authentic Spanish holiday!
Our group of six thoroughly enjoyed our stay in particular the location.
The house was extremely interesting and offered all the modern comforts in a very old dwelling. The view was spectacular and the walks around the area were equally as good.
The home was always warm and there was ample hot water for our group.
Richard was attentive and offered plenty of suggestions for things to do and see.
We would recommend a stay at Olmares for anyone looking for a peaceful stay in the mountains.
The Liebana Valley and the 'Big House' at Olmares really is one of those truly special places and we can honestly say that in many years of travelling far and wide we have never found anywhere so perfect. If you love stunning mountain scenery, not the harsh rocky type but the sort that is filled with dramatic mountain peaks that tower over verdant valleys filled with ancient oak forests and an abundance of flora then this is the place for you. These secretive and properly wild mountains and valleys are comparatively unknown and little visited, they are a true bastion of exciting wilderness and home to wild boar, brown bear, eagles and wolves, completely uniquely..in Europe certainly. My kids..boy 13 and girl 8 loved it..the 'Big House' is a beautiful, big old village manor house filled with history and character that sits magnificently on the side of the valley with views from every beautifully shuttered window, that each deserve individual awards. The real great outdoors is right on the doorstep and after a couple of days of driving off to further flung walking spots [of which there are loads!] we realised after a massive breakfast at the huge old kitchen table that demands such breakfasts, that all we had to do was don our boots and head in any number of directions from the front door to find some proper wilderness adventures right there. It's real 'Boy's Own' stuff..wild boar tracks everywhere, sticks to whittle and streams to dam..when we were there it was sunny and warm [in April] and we didn't see another soul!
The other great piece of news, for all of us, was that the valley is filled with some absolutely fabulous local inns and restaurants, not the prissy michelin type, but small places run by charming people that serve some of the biggest, freshest and tastiest steaks you'll ever eat and washed down with delicious local wines. Of course, there is all sorts of other delicious local fare on offer and which we enjoyed, but the steaks took the biscuit and all at a very reasonable price!
The house is full of books to read, maps and guide books, Suzanne and Richard have lived in the valley for years..know everyone and everything and are hugely welcoming and helpful.
My family and I have just returned from our third trip to Olmares in the Picos de Europa in Northern Spain. The house is so beautiful and well situated that it is difficult to make ourselves do anything other than lean out the windows and stare at the fantastic views or sit in the garden and soak up the atmosphere. Having said that, there is much to do. We have taken many walks which start from the house ranging from a stroll down to the stream which is perfect for little children to a challenging hike through the forest behind Basieda. The town of Potes is a twenty minute drive away and has excellent restaurants, several grocery stores and lovely little lanes to wander down. We have also twice taken the cable car to the top of Fuente De and then walked down through spectacular scenery.
As the house at Olmares is so big it is a great place to holiday with friends- we have fit up to seven adults and six children in at once. It is always clean and well equipped. Richard is also very helpful in recommending good restaurants nearby, walks to take and sites to see. I cannot recommend it more highly. My only hesitation in giving Olmares a glowing review is that too many people will discover our favourite getaway!