6/10 Okay
Emma S.
26 Sept 2019
Liked: Cleanliness
Not quite what we expected...
On the plus side, the location is lovely, peaceful, surrounded by vineyards and only metres from the Fakin Wine Tasting place! It was also spotlessly clean and the modern kitchen/diner/lounge was comfortable and fairly well equipped, although would benefit from a few more serving bowls/dishes/chopping boards of suitable size for 8 people sharing a meal. However, this place is usually run as a B&B and the bedrooms are accessed via an external staircase on the opposite side of the building to the kitchen door. This does give the property a rather disjointed feel. Similarly, the outside eating area and pool area/garden are separate from the house (only by a few feet, but still you have to cross a driveway to get to them) adding to the disjointed feel. Each of the four bedrooms has an en suite bathroom, again beautifully clean and with very good water pressure in the shower with a water heater in each bathroom, so plenty of hot water. The beds were huge and very comfortable, the air-con was modern and quiet. On the downside, you only get the wonderful view of Motovun from the top two rooms, only one of which has a balcony, big enough only for 3 people max. The upper rooms are accessed by a steep staircase with open treads, varnished wood - so don't attempt to climb it with just socks on! I think this would be pretty unsuitable for small children or anyone frail etc.
Overall we found the house to be comfortable and in very good order, so good value for money, but not quite as presented in the photos. We were also a bit disappointed not to meet an English speaking owner - the lady who greeted us spoke no English at all and it was difficult to communicate with her when we had a slight problem with something in the kitchen (she had to ask a young girl next door to translate for us).
Another thing that would be useful, is a folder or book of local information ie. a Visitor Book, which guests could add to. Most HA properties I've stayed in have something like this, containing some info about the property (useful when you have accidentally switched off the kitchen water heater as I did), also some maps perhaps and leaflets for things like bike hire (Montona Tours in Motovun - excellent). I think this would benefit both owner and guests.
It took us roughly an hour to walk up into Motovun for a meal, less coming back downhill, There are no taxis around here! The Parenzana trail is wonderful. Take a torch as it's very dark at night!