*** Long Term Winter Rates***
The Ria Apartment is a bright, modern, newly refurbished 1100 sq. foot apartment with its own private terrace. The accommodation consists of a huge open plan dining / kitchen / living area, two large bedrooms and a family bathroom. Also there is a large entrance hall with loads of storage and a spectacularly sited terrace boasting views over the River Tet and the village of Ria. At a distance can be seen the picturesque village of Eus.
The bedrooms are large one has a double bed and the second has a small double and a single. Both are tastefully decorated with loads of wardrobe space.
The bathroom is fitted out with power a shower, WC, wash hand basin and bath. Toilet rolls, a selection of toiletries and freshly laundered towels are all provided. The large 300L tank ensures loads of hot water for bathing and showering.
The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen including american fridge freezer, oven and hob, microwave, coffee maker, kettle, toaster, washing machine and dishwasher. The kitchen is fully stocked with cutlery, dining sets, glassware, kitchen implements and cookware for 6 people. It even includes mugs, teapot, and tea bags! Basic items such as salt, pepper, dishwashing liquid, bin-bags, toilet rolls , dishwashing tablets, washing powder, hand soap, tea, coffee, sugar and cleaning products are all supplied saving you the hassle and expense of buying large packs of these items. We even throw in a welcome pack which include wine, bakery products, milk, flowers and seasonal fruit. This ensures that even if you arrive in the middle of the night you have something in the larder.
Oftentimes in the summer Chantel and Serge, who sometimes look after the property and live next door will provide you with seasonal fruit and vegetables from their expansive garden.
The kitchen area has a first aid kit, fire blanket and the apartment is fitted with both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
The dining area consists of table and chairs for six people.
The sitting area is large and comfortable. It has a wood burning stove (Logs for the fire are included in winter). The room has two couches one of which can be converted into a double bed. The room is filled with light and catches the sun for most of the day. All windows are curtained and shuttered which allows for privacy and together with really thick walls allows you to keep the house cool in the heat of the summer. The lounge comes equipped with a large 42 inch flat screen TV, UK satellite receiver and a DVD player. Located downstairs in the house you will find a library of DVDs which you are welcome to use. Also there is a video player you can borrow with over a hundred videos, including loads of kids favourite movies.
Within minutes of the property is the local bakery, restaurant and corner shop. The main town of Prades (2km) hosts a bustling Tuesday market and is famous for its summer classical musical festival. Beautiful views make the area ideal for walking/ painting holidays.
Further details
Midweek cleaning / fresh towels and pre arrival shopping all possible at a nominal charge.
Any special requests will be catered for if at all possible.
Also available is a babysitting service.
Further details indoors
The house includes a magnificent 40 foot long games room, originally known as the Jardin D'Hiver ( The Winter Garden). One complete wall is glazed and overlooks the village and the river. The room has a beautiful floor of local marble. In the room you will find a large library of English DVDs, Videos, Books and Games for your use. All we ask is for you to treat them with care and return when finished. in the room you will also find other things for you to borrow to make your holiday more comfortable such as cool-boxes, ice packs, backpacks, walking sticks, some ski gear ( for winter holidays) and even umbrellas which have never been used! The room has comfortable seating to allow you to relax and read. It even has an easel for those of you with an artistic leaning. Paints and canvases can be purchased cheaply in the local GIFI store. On display on the the walls you can see some of the canvases painted and kindly left in the house by previous guests.
We are exploring the possibility of offering art lessons and creative writing classes this coming Autumn so please let us know if you would be interested.
The house is steeped in history, formally being the residence of the chief engineer of a mining company. It even had a dumb waiter for bringing the food up from the basement kitchen. On display in the house you will see the magnificent account books used to keep the household records from the mid 1800's The empty pages of the final record book (dated August1947) now serve as the Guest comment Book.
Finally the games room has a table tennis table for the more sporting of you. There is plenty of bats and ping pong balls ideal for keeping the kids amused. Also there is a badminton net and racquets which we normally set up in the drive in front of the house.
Further details outdoors
.The house is situated on a private road shared only with the two neighbours. It is accessed through large double gates which are closed at night providing secure car parking. To the front of the house you will also find some other seating and dining areas. The house is near the national route N116 giving easy access to the Pyrenees, Andorra and the Mediterranean coast.
