Long term lets (over 1 month) Short-breaks (4 days or fewer) Corporate bookings
Changeover day:
Flexible
Access:
Car advised
Notes:
May take pets - please enquire Suitable for children Smokers welcome Self-catering
Home description
A magnificent stone villa in an idyllic setting overlooking the hamlet of Estanyol, near Girona on the Costa Brava, a safe (20 km) distance inland from the often crowded coast. On a huge private estate of over 110 hectaires, the house measures well over 1200m2, with 7 bedrooms and 5 bathsrooms, a private fenced-in 10x5 meter pool, indoor and outdoor BBQ dining area, and exercise room with jacuzzi for 4, and all amenities.
Aerial shot of Mas Grau
the pool & house in background
the pool - the fig tree attracted bees so it´s gone now
the front of the masia
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/2745
The Costa Brava/Catalonia region
Mas Grau is one of the nicest independent vacation homes available in Catalonia (and I've been told by frequent rentors of holiday properties that it is probably one of the nicest vacation houses in Europe). Set in lush farmlands only 7 km SE of Girona's provincial capital - a fascinating historical city - this venerable fortified farmhouse occupies an isolated hillside position surrounded by fruit trees and woods, offering marvellous views of the Medieval village below (Estanyol), and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. Mas Grau was built in the 12th century and was the fortress of the Viscount of Cabrera. This entire area is renowned for its pristine Medieval villages, the beauty of its countryside, and the area's gastronomy - whether you eat out at a restaurant or buy local produce from nearby markets.
Girona / Estanyol area
Mas Grau is one of the better examples of a fine Catalan masia, or farmhouse. The thick stone and wooden-beamed house is articulated around a walled-in and vine-covered patio, with an artesian well, barbecue, and a utility room with washer/dryer. The ground floor has a dining room and several sitting rooms, one with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and a large fireplace, another with TV, CD player, and a piano (undoubtedly out of tune since Geraldine Chaplin had it tuned some time ago). The kitchen is spacious with large refrigerator, a choice of ovens and stoves (electric, gas, wood-burning). The downstairs tile-lined bathroom is in a long hallway with lots of closet space which leads to a bedroom with a double bed and a magnificent balcony looking out over the coastal plain, with the village of Estanyol in the foreground.
How to get there
Mas Grau is a five minute walk through lovely fields to the hamlet of Estanyol, with two restaurants, and a bike path leads to the village of Aiguaviva, where you have several stores (butcher, baker, etc) and a supermarket. The huge supermarkets at 8 kms away, at the entrance to Girona town.
- fly to Girona Airport (15kms) with budget airlines like RyanAir - or Barcelona Airport (100kms) with British air or EZ Jet - or Perpignan Airport in France (60kms) with British Midlands and other budget operators - or Reus Airport near Tarragona, about 2 hours drive from the house
Info on local car hire available upon request. The house is about 35 minutes from the French border, 70 minutes from Barcelona, and 10 minutes from Girona airports.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Girona: 10 km
Railway:
Girona: 8 km
Ferry:
Barcelona: 90 km
Activities near Girona
Sports: Tennis in town Watersports Waterpark Horse Riding Golf less than 15 mins walk Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Beach or lakeside relaxation A winter sun break Good nightlife City breaks Cycling holidays
Facilities
Luxuries:
Gym, Jacuzzi / Hot tub, Log fire, Internet access, DVD player
Single beds (8), Double beds (3), Cots (2), Dining seating for 14, Lounge seating for 20, Sleeps maximum of 14
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Private outdoor pool (unheated), Private garden, BBQ, Bicycles available
Access:
Parking space
Further details indoors: The rooms are spacious and set far apart from one another, with plenty of common rooms on each floor, two rooms with private terrace, and outside there are different outdoor sitting areas, BBQ and poolside louge chairs.
When you email your request, I will send you a detailed description of each room and bathroom.
Further details outdoors: The unspoiled views are magnificient, and there are no houses in the immediate area surrounding Mas Grau. The owners live in a similar mansion on the other side of the hill, and are on hand if you need them.
I would be glad to send you the Google Earth link for this villa. It gives you a good idea of how huge and gorgeous this property really is! and the distances to villages and access to major roads in the area.
Please read Testimonials and Comments from Past Guests since 1998 in our website.
Further details
One house cleaning and sheet, towel and linen change per week included in the rental fee.
Swiming pool is maintained year-round, and is fenced in for child safety, but there is no life-guard.
There is an electricity counter on the jacuzzi and guests are kindly requested to pay for the electricity used for the jacuzzi apart. This is to avoid situations whereby guests leave on the jacuzzi 24 hours a day during their stay. It only takes minutes for the jacuzzi to warm up.
Other than that, there are no hidden of extra charges of any kind. To the contrary, we can arrange extra services for you, for example, such as having a food shopping at the house and ready for you upon arrival....
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: Euros €
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Mid-season
1 Sep 09
1 Oct 09
2255£2,013
0-
0-
1 Week
Low-season
1 Oct 09
29 May 10
1785£1,594
0-
0-
1 Week
Mid-season
29 May 10
24 Jun 10
2255£2,013
0-
0-
1 Week
High-season
24 Jun 10
4 Sep 10
2520£2,250
0-
0-
1 Week
Mid-season
4 Sep 10
1 Oct 10
2255£2,013
0-
0-
1 Week
Low-season
1 Oct 10
24 Dec 10
1785£1,594
0-
0-
1 Week
51
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
Two weeks minimum in mid and high season.
Flexible changeover days all year round.
Different rates apply for Easter and New Year. Please contact us for details.
Prices are all inclusive and there are no extra or hidden charges whatsoever.
Low-season weekend rates: 800 Euros (2 nights) + 350 Euros per extra night.
Guestbook for Mas Grau
We are back from our vacation at Mas Grau and I wanted to write with some comments. Overall, it was absolutely fantastic. We were travelling with 4 couples, one of which had a 7-month old infant. With this size group, we were all able to have our own room and bath. Everyone found the house to be charming and more than adequate for our needs. The house itself and the property are so interesting and lovely, a lot of us spent time just walking around and admiring the scenery. Six of our 8 adults were also there to do some cycling and Mas Grau was an excellent starting point for a number of good rides.
One of the highlights of the trip was the food prepared by Lee Pennington. Charlie, thanks so much for this recommendation. Lee cooked for us for 5 of our 6 nights and the food was incredible. He spoiled us and we were already saying that when e go to Italy next year, we may need to get Lee his own room so he can stay and cook for us. His services are worth far more than what he charges.
All in all, it was a splendid vacation and I appreciate how easy you made everything. Aside from my cell phone not working very well, things went incredibly smoothly. Mas Grau will hold a special place in our hearts.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Myrna Sayers" To: "villasbarcelona" Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 3:19 PM Subject: Mas Grau
Hi Charlie - we got back, from nearly 5 weeks away, on Monday evening. Thank you for the information that you sent to me on 11th July.
The house was very well equipped with nice linen and towels - and a generous supply of both. Conxita told us to make ourselves completely at home and use everything. All the beds had been made up - more than we needed - but as you know, there were thirteen of us and it was good to have such flexibility.
I haven't asked my family if they have any comments to add - we all had such a great time. I know that one huge plus - with small children around (we had four aged between 2 and 4) was the big, secure courtyard.
We are seeing some friends this evening who are very interested in renting Mas Grau next year - so I will show them your website.
Let me know if you want any further input - it will only be good! Regards - Myrna
----- Original Message ----- From: "ClaireHenderson" To: Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 12:48 PM Subject: feedback
Hi Charlie,
Just to let you know we had a super time in Mas Grau and Conxita was so helpful. Hertz had provided a car with no petrol so she kindly led us to the petrol station on the first day. That could have been tricky!
The house was wonderful and we really enjoyed the sense of history. If I had any suggestions, it would be a large electric kettle and teapot. Well, we are English!!!! The quality of the sheets and towels was great.
One restaurant I would really recommend is Restaurant Bonay in Peratallada where we had excellent Pollastre amb samfaina, and Vedella amb bolets. We took your information with us everywhere and it became known as Charlie's bible. When we were planning an outing someone would say 'What does Charlie say about it?' It was much appreciated.
All in all, a lovely holiday. Thank you very much. I hope Conxita's father is recovering.
---- Original Message ----- From: Joan Wright To: 'villasbarcelona' Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 12:40 AM Subject: RE: Wright reservations for Mas Grau September 29 through October 8
Charlie,
We had a wonderful time at the villa. There was enough room for all 5 couples to relax and enjoy ourselves. We met Conxita and she was charming. Lee Pennington was wonderful. He cooked fabulous meals and he was very helpful about the area and great restaurants. The area is lovely and we took many daytrips. Your book was very helpful. Especially with directions into Barcelona. Thanks for all your help. Regards, Joan Wright
----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Daly To: charlie@tourismcatalonia.com Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 6:30 PM Subject: Re: Mas Grau July 30 to Aug 20, 2005
Hi Charlie
Everything is great at Mas Grau. No problems whatsoever. What is the booking situation for the equivalent weeks next year?
I will check my e mails next week or you can give me a call please on ... Thanks Paul
----- Original Message ----- From: HOPE RAYMOND To: charlie@villasbarcelona.com Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 6:37 AM Subject: Re: Mas Grau - June 30 to July 14, 2005 - how was it?
Hi, Charlie,
How nice to hear from you!
We all loved Mas Grau--everything about it! Even my grandkids, who might have seen it as "too old" thought it was "really cool". And, as I had expected, they made good use of the beautiful pool for hours every day. In fact, they loved being there so much, it was hard to get them organized to go sightseeing.
One thing that especially impressed me--and which I had not heard from other visitors there--was how magnificently the house is laid out for fifteen people. And the rooms were all tastefully and appropriately decorated for the age and style of the home. Privacy was never a problem, nor was the noise level (even with 8 busy grandchildren). The only time I was ever aware of how many of us there were was at dinnertime when we all ate together in the dining room. But even then there was space at one of the tables for everyone, so it didn't feel crowded.
Something that bothered my children (more than me) was the laundry facilities. Though they were certainly adequate under ordinary circumstances, we had lots of children's clothes to be washed, so at least one load of laundry was always waiting to be washed.
The one drawback was that Mas Grau set such a high standard, I will never be able to rent another vacation home that will match up!
Best to you! Hope Raymond
Availability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
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To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/2745
Contact details for the advertiser of home 2745
Name:
Charlie and Maria Williams
Company:
Villas Barcelona
Tel:
+34 93 268 2300
Mobile:
+34 656 364 960
Be aware of time-zones Please mention Holiday Lettings when contacting this advertiser
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