Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Belvilla Awaits in Priego de Córdoba!
Escape to Paradise: Priego de Córdoba… More Like Escape to a Partial Paradise & A Whole Lotta Rambling!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a review of Belvilla's "Escape to Paradise" in Priego de Córdoba. Let's be brutally honest: "Paradise" might be pushing it a smidge. But hey, maybe my expectations were sky-high after all the glossy brochure promises. Prepare for a bumpy ride, folks. This isn't going to be your typical, sterile hotel review. This is raw, unfiltered… me.
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First Impressions (and a dash of Impatience)
The drive to Priego was… scenic. Really, really scenic. Think rolling hills, olive groves that stretch to infinity, and this overwhelming feeling of being somewhere. The villa itself? Well, first off, finding the darn thing was an adventure! My GPS, bless its digital heart, seemed to have a vendetta against me. Finally, after some frantic U-turns and a near-miss with a grumpy llama, we arrived.
Accessibility & That All-Important Wheelchair-Friendly Dream… Almost.
Okay, let's get real here. "Wheelchair accessible" can be a loaded term. Belvilla does list it as having facilities for disabled guests. And yes, there IS an elevator. Hallelujah. But… the devil is in the details. While the main common areas and one of the ground-floor bedrooms were relatively accessible (thank goodness!), navigating some of the smaller pathways outside was a bit of a challenge. I'm talking uneven surfaces, slight inclines that could potentially require assistance. So, while technically accessible, it needed a little more thought. (And those tiny cobblestone streets leading to the entrance? Forget about it!)
On-Site Amenities (and the Quest for the Perfect Aperol Spritz)
Let's talk about what's supposed to be on offer. The website boasts a ton, and the anticipation builds…
Restaurants/Lounges: The villa itself doesn't have a full-throttle restaurant, more like a breakfast service (which I'll get to). However, the sheer size of the place suggests the potential for poolside lounging, or maybe a bar? I never found out for sure! My dreams of an Aperol Spritz at sunset never truly materialized on-site. I ended up making my own in the kitchen, which, in retrospect, added a certain charm to the experience.
Internet/Wi-Fi: Thank goodness for the free Wi-Fi in all rooms! That's a massive plus. I like to stay connected - it's a small luxury.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax (and My Obsession with the Spa)
Okay, this is where things get interesting. The website promised a spa/sauna! Cue the angels singing. My weary soul was ready.
The Spa Saga I'm not going to lie. The spa was a major selling point for me. I envisioned myself floating from the steam room to the sauna, then emerging, rejuvenated, into the pool! I even brought my fancy spa slippers! But… the reality was, it was… not as grand as I'd imagined. Let's just say it all felt a little… basic. I probably should have asked more detailed questions before arriving. Still, I enjoyed the sauna!
Pool with View (and the Sun's Relentless Gaze): The pool was definitely a highlight! The view? Spectacular – those rolling hills again! However, be prepared for serious sun exposure. Pack the industrial-strength sunscreen, people! Shade isn't always readily available.
Fitness Center: Ha! I saw the gym… from the outside. My own motivation to open the door was not there.
Massage: Alas, I do not think there was a massage. Another missed opportunity to ease my suffering.
Other ways to relax: The website also mentioned things like body wraps – but, my dear friends, I think I am in the wrong property.
Cleanliness and Safety (aka The Sanitization Tango)
I appreciated Belvilla's efforts in this area. With all that's been going on, it felt good to know they're taking safety seriously:
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas? Check.
- Rooms sanitized between stays? Check.
They even had hand sanitizer everywhere. I definitely felt safe.
- Breakfast in the room: I actually liked this. Each morning, a basket arrived at my door. It was the perfect start to my day, even if the offerings were a tad – repetitive.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yaaay!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: A plus!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (aka The Breakfast Blues & the Quest for Tapas)
Now, let's get real about the food.
Breakfast [Buffet]: Well, the breakfast setup was a bit… repetitive. The "buffet" was essentially a daily delivery of bread, pastries, and some pre-packaged goodies. Fine for the first few days, but by day four, I was dreaming of something a. little. more. interesting.
Restaurants, Bars, and Other Delights: There wasn't an on-site restaurant, bar, or snack bar, leaving me to head to the nearby town for food.
Services and Conveniences (the Good, the Bad, and the "Meh")
- Air conditioning? Thank God for that! Andalusia summers are brutal.
- Business Facilities? I didn't test these.
- Concierge? I didn't notice it.
- Food delivery? Was not there.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Way out of my budget.
For the Kids (and the Inner Child in Me)
- Family/Child Friendly: The villa seemed family-friendly. There were multiple bedrooms, and plenty of space for kids to run around (assuming they’ve got endless energy for exploring!).
- Babysitting Service: Not that I noticed.
Rooms, Rooms, Glorious Rooms! (and the Minor Annoyances)
The room situation was pretty decent, though some things were missing…
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Blackout curtains: Needed!
- Bathroom phone: Never needed.
- Complimentary tea: Always a plus, though I wished for proper tea bags.
- Hair dryer: Good
- Mini Bar: I would have used it.
- Non-smoking: Thank you.
- Private bathroom: Got it.
- Soundproofing: Fine.
- Seating area: Wonderful.
Getting Around (and the Llama Incident)
- Car Park [free of charge]: Yup. Big tick.
- Taxi service: I did not know about it.
- Airport transfer: Did not know.
Overall Verdict (the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But)
So, was it "Paradise"? No. Was it a comfortable base for exploring Priego de Córdoba and the surrounding region? Absolutely. Would I go back? Possibly. If they really upped their spa game, added a proper bar, and maybe expanded the breakfast options, then we'd be talking.
Priego de Córdoba itself is a hidden gem. The people are friendly, the tapas are delicious (once you find them!), and the scenery is breathtaking. Just be prepared for a journey. Final note: I’m still laughing about the Llama. That’s the kind of memory Belvilla gave me. I will always remember it.
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Porto Rafti Cottage with Breathtaking Balcony Views!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a Belvilla by OYO Casa Mi Pepe adventure in Priego de Córdoba, Spain. Forget perfectly polished itineraries – this is gonna be a glorious, slightly chaotic, and utterly real-life travel log. Prepare for some rambling, some gushing, and probably a minor meltdown or two. Here we go…
The Priego Pilgrimage: A Messy, Wonderful Week
Day 1: Arrival & "Holy Crap, This Place is Gorgeous!"
- Morning (or, as I like to call it, "whenever-the-hell-I-wake-up-after-that-flight"): Land in Malaga. Remember to grab the rental car. Fingers crossed it’s not a rusty bucket of bolts (as experience tells me it might be). This is where the first tiny panic attack hit. Did I remember to book the insurance? Oh, God, I did, right? (Yes. I did. Phew.)
- Afternoon: The drive. The drive. Let me tell you, the Andalusian countryside is like someone painted a masterpiece with olives and sunshine. Breathtaking. Seriously, I almost drove off a cliff (metaphorically, thankfully) staring at the views. The GPS, however, had other ideas. It tried to lead me down a road barely wider than the car. A road. More like a goat track. After a slightly heated conversation with the voice of the GPS ("Are you KIDDING ME?!"), eventually, we arrived.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Casa Mi Pepe. OMG. Forget the pictures online, people. This place is even more charming in person. The terracotta tiles, the courtyard, the smell of orange blossoms… I was done. I'd reached peak "This is what I pay taxes for" levels of happiness. Unpacked. Briefly. Mostly threw my stuff in a corner. Then, immediate exploration. Rambled around the house, marveling at the thick, cool walls, the light pouring in. Found the pool. Briefly considered jumping in fully clothed. Restrained myself. (Just barely.) Ended the day with a very generous glass of Rioja on the patio, watching the sunset paint the sky. Note to self: pack more wine. A LOT more.
Day 2: The Fountain of…Well, Something Wonderful.
- Morning: Attempted some basic Spanish at a local bakery. Ended up buying a loaf the size of my head and enough pastries to feed a small army. Delicious, though. The bakery lady just smiled and patted my arm. I think she understood. I swear this town is magic.
- Afternoon: El Barrio de la Villa. This is where Priego really gets its hooks into you. The “Fountain of the King” (la Fuente del Rey) is not just a fountain, it’s a goddamn architectural sonnet. The water trickling, the carvings… I just stood there, completely mesmerized. Spent way too long there, making my poor travel companion wait. Sorry, love! Wandered the narrow, winding streets of the old town. Got delightfully lost. Found a tiny tapas bar and ordered everything on the menu. The best decision of the day. Maybe the week. The local olive oil is… chef’s kiss.
- Evening: Tried to cook a simple dinner at Casa Mi Pepe. Burned the garlic. Set off the smoke alarm. Gave up and ordered pizza. The pizza was, admittedly, not great. But hey, the wine was still good. And the view from the terrace? Unbeatable.
Day 3: Cordoba, and the "I Think I'm Falling in Love with a City" Moment.
- Morning: Drove to Cordoba. The drive was… lengthy. But bearable. The city's Mezquita-Cathedral… It's unlike anything I've ever seen. I mean, picture this: a mosque transformed into a cathedral, with a forest of columns and arches. It's a visual symphony. Saw one of the most beautiful churches in the world, the inside of the Mezquita-Cathedral. It was breathtaking. Just spent a good hour just taking it all in, getting lost in the architecture. Lost my partner in the crowd. Started to panic before realizing it wasn't a big deal.
- Afternoon: Wandered the Jewish Quarter. Getting lost again (it's a pattern). The little shops, the flowers, the buzz of the city… It's just magical. Found a tiny patio restaurant and had the best gazpacho of my life. Had some churros with chocolate, which were amazing. I may or may not have had a second portion. Okay, I did.
- Evening: Back at Casa Mi Pepe. Took a needed nap. Ended up ordering take-out from the same pizza place (sadly). Spent the rest of the night, relaxing by the pool, watching the sunset. Still, I was happy. Cordoba had a hold on me.
Day 4: Olive Oil Euphoria & A Cliffhanger
- Morning: Visited an olivar (olive grove). Did a tasting. Learned about the process – from the tree to the table. Then, the tasting. I'm not usually a huge olive oil person, but this…it blew my mind. Bright, peppery, fruity… I'm now an olive oil snob. And I might need to ship a lot of it back home.
- Afternoon: Went hiking (or, as I call it, "slightly-too-ambitious-walking"). The views were spectacular, but that sun was fierce. Got a little lost (surprise!) but eventually found our way back. Almost stepped on a snake. Almost gave myself a heart attack. Found a nice picnic spot by the side of a mountain.
- Evening: Ate dinner at a restaurant on a cliff overlooking the gorge - "the best restaurant" as per my research. The food was incredible. The service, a little… interesting. Let's just say there was a language barrier, and I’m not sure what I actually ordered. But the view? The view was worth the entire trip. And then, the highlight of the night. We drove back and we were stuck in the car on the cliff side! The engine wasn't starting. No cellphones for miles. This is where the panic returned. (Minor one, but still.)
Day 5: The Breakdown (of the Car, and Possibly My Sanity)
- Morning: The car still couldn't start. Luckily, a very nice local, a mountain climber, found us, helped us with another kind of car. He didn't speak a word of English, but with a lot of hand gestures (which I don't think he understood at first), we were escorted back to our Casa Mi Pepe. Called for a taxi to take us to the car rental place. Went to the mechanic, and got back the car.
- Afternoon: Needed to get back to Cordoba. Spent a lot of time in the car, just driving, thinking.
- Evening: Finally, after the stressful day, relaxed at Casa Mi Pepe. Ordered pizza again. Still a bit traumatized by the car incident. But you know what? We made it.
Day 6: Another Cordoba Trip
- Morning: Attempted to visit the Mezquita-Cathedral again. It was a nice visit.
- Afternoon: Wandered around the city. Tried looking for souvenirs to bring back home.
- Evening: Cooked a great dinner at Casa Mi Pepe. Used olive oil. Celebrated life.
Day 7: Adios, Priego (With a Hint of "I'll Be Back!")
- Morning: Last breakfast on the patio. Said goodbye to Casa Mi Pepe. Checked out. Drove to the airport. The drive – this time – felt bittersweet.
- Afternoon: Flew back home.
- Evening: Back home, sorting through photos and videos. Starting to feel like a normal person again. Already planning my return. To Priego. To Cordoba. To the olive oil. To the magic.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. There were moments of frustration, of panic, of questionable pizza choices. But it was real. It was messy. It was human. And it was, without a doubt, one of the best weeks of my life. Priego de Córdoba, you have my heart. And Casa Mi Pepe, I’ll be back. Prepare for more wine. And maybe a better sense of direction. And possibly less pizza. (Probably not.)
Escape to Paradise: Luxurious Belgian Sauna Spa Getaway in Robertville!
Escape to Paradise: Priego de Córdoba Unpacked (Probably Messily) - Your Belvilla Questions Answered
Okay, so ‘Paradise’… is that just marketing fluff? Or is Priego *actually* paradise-y?
Right, let's get this straight. "Paradise"? Listen, I'm a cynical Brit. I'm allergic to hyperbole. But... Priego? Okay, yeah. It's *up there*. Seriously. Think rolling hills, olive groves stretching to forever, and this insane, ridiculously beautiful fountain, the Fuente del Rey. It’s like a baroque water feature threw up a masterpiece. And the white-washed streets? Pure Insta-bait. My inner grump actually *relaxed*. That's saying something. Now, is it technically *Eden*? Probably not. I tripped over a rogue cobblestone once. And the Wi-Fi was a bit… let’s say “rustic” at times. But the vibe? The *feeling*? Yeah. Close enough to call it paradise-adjacent.
What *actually* is a Belvilla? Because the word 'villa' conjures images of, well, the *rich*.
Ha! Good question. Yeah, "villa" can sound a bit intimidating, like you need a butler and a trust fund. Belvilla? Think of it as a holiday home rental, but with a bit more...character. Our Belvilla in Priego was fantastic. It wasn't some soulless, sterile hotel room. It was a proper *house*. With character. And a pool! That pool saved me. It was ridiculously hot most days, and I'm frankly incapable of doing anything but melt at 35 degrees Celsius. The Belvilla allowed us the freedom to relax and explore on our own terms. We got to shop at the local markets and really feel like we were more part of the place not just visitors.
Okay, pool. Tell me more about the pool. Was it a 'photo-op' pool or a 'actually-swim-in-it' pool?
Alright, the pool. This is important. My partner, bless her heart, she’s a pool snob. Anything less than crystalline perfection and she’s complaining. This pool? Passed the test. Actually, it *aced* the test. It was clean, a decent size (you could actually *swim*), and perfectly positioned to catch the afternoon sun. And the views from the pool? Olive groves, rolling hills, pure bliss. I spent a shameful amount of time floating on my back, thinking profound thoughts like, "Is there more sangria?" and "Did I apply enough sunscreen?" The answer to both questions was "No, and probably not." We even had a minor incident involving a rogue pool noodle and a slightly over-enthusiastic cannonball attempt which, I'll admit, was probably me. Luckily the pool tiles weren’t a casualty.
What's the food situation like? I'm a foodie but also... a lazy person. Can I have both in Priego?
Oh, the food. Prepare to gain a few pounds. Seriously. It's glorious, and readily accessible. Priego is in the heart of olive oil country, so expect the best olive oil you've ever tasted. I literally drizzled the stuff on everything. The local tapas bars are fantastic – little plates of deliciousness, washed down with local wine. I'm talking jamón Ibérico, salmorejo (a chilled tomato soup that will change your life), and all sorts of other things I can't even pronounce but devoured with gusto. There are also smaller shops with local produce which is great if you want to cook at your Belvilla (although, let’s be honest, I spent more time *eating out* than *cooking*). Honestly, I had some of the best meals of my life there. And yes, I probably *was* a lazy person about it by the end of the week. But in a good way because let me tell you, there were many, many tapas to try.
Getting around Priego – is it walkable, or should I book a car? Because I *hate* driving.
Right, driving in Spain – it can be… an experience. Priego itself is quite walkable, especially the old town. Narrow, winding streets, up and down. Be prepared for some staircases; you’ll get your cardio in. But a car? Probably a good idea. Because you want to explore the surrounding area – the Sierra Subbética Natural Park, other white villages, Cordoba itself (definitely worth a day trip). Parking can be a bit of a nightmare in the busy months, so factor that in. We managed to find a parking spot, but I had to manoeuvre the car into a space that was probably designed for a Smart Car. Twice. Let’s just say my blood pressure went up a little. My partner was laughing, I think I was swearing. Eventually, we parked and got out in one piece, but not before the man across the road came out and started talking (presumably giving us directions and/or telling us to move the car). I didn't understand a word but smiled and nodded.
Any tips for first-timers to Priego? Stuff you wish you'd known?
Oh, yes. Here are some nuggets of wisdom I gleaned through trial and error (mostly error).
- Learn some basic Spanish. Even a few phrases. "Hola," "Gracias," "Una cerveza, por favor." Makes a world of difference. My Spanish is... *terrible* but effort is appreciated.
- Embrace the siesta. Seriously. Everything shuts down in the afternoon. Do not fight it. Go back to the Belvilla, have a nap, and recharge. It’s a mandatory activity.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Lots of walking. Cobblestones are ankle-breakers. Seriously.
- Book restaurants in advance, especially if you're going during peak season. We didn't, and we ended up eating a lot of tapas, which, okay, not the *worst* thing in the world. But still.
- Embrace the slow pace. This isn’t a place to rush. Relax. Savour the moments. And the olive oil. Oh, the olive oil.
So, the Wi-Fi. You mentioned it. Was it a deal-breaker?
Okay, the Wi-Fi. Yes. Let's get it out there. It wasn’t… *stellar*. It was there...sometimes. Which, fine. You’re on holiday, you *should* disconnect. But, for me, as someone who needs to be connected for work (at least, *sometimes*), it was a *teeny* bit stressful. I ended up walking around the Belvilla, trying to find the best signal strength. It was like a weirdRoaming Hotels
