Palacio de Hueva
"The Epitome of Spanish Countryside Elegance - Only 50 mins from the Heart of Madrid." - Reviewed by Lisa
WIXXY PICK
LISA PERFECT PICK: “A getaway here with good friends, a good book, some local Spanish delicacies and I promise you’ll never want to leave.”
Like with any big city, what lies outside is often more compelling than what is within city limits. This is not to diminish the importance, elegance and fascination of this majestic capital city – but to truly understand Spain’s principal region, one must venture beyond the greater metropolitan area … and an adventure to Palacio de Hueva is truly worth the 50-minute drive.
The village of Hueva is teeny-tiny – with a lovely old church, a bakery and a lady who sells fresh eggs and very little else! If you were ever curious to know what authentic central Spanish life was really like, here is your chance to experience a delightful, off-the-beaten-track village whilst staying at its very own “Palacio”!
The day I reviewed the Palacio de Hueva was a day that was tailor-made for showcasing the home. The late October sun played perfectly off the ochre walls and the turning leaves represented every autumnal tone so tastefully displayed in the home’s interior.
A perfect example of classic early 19th-century Spanish country architecture, this three-story home has perfectly-proportioned, spacious rooms, ample fireplaces, high ceilings and super-comfortable places for enjoying the delights of the countryside.
A quick, 20-minute drive from the home are the Pueblos Alcadea – a string of historical, gastronomical and culturally perfect villages – which make a great day trip for experiencing what this area represents.
Palacio de Hueva is the ideal escape for a long weekend or a few quiet days mid-week. Wake up late and linger with breakfast in bed by a warm fire. Or, rise up early for a bracing hike or bike ride through the countryside and return “home” for a sumptuous breakfast buffet in the elegant country dining room -complete with wood-burning fireplace and gorgeous country views.
This is a house that feels like home – make it your home base to explore this interesting extension of Madrid that few get to experience.
UNDERGROUND WINE CELLAR
Lift a cleverly-concealed trap door at the side of the house, descend a well-worn staircase and you’ll find yourself in the perfect spot for a cocktail or candlelight dinner. Running the length of the house is the family wine cellar – unfortunately empty these days except for some stunning old ceramic wine vats.
Nevertheless, it’s still the ideal place to host a memorable gathering.
Special Features
- Completely private
- Quiet
- Live-in staff
- Games room
- Barn off the courtyard makes the ideal party place
- Lots of fireplaces
- Country views
- Large courtyard for sunbathing or relaxing
- Swimming pool (not heated) with water feature
- Underground wine cellar – ideal for parties and special occasions
- Impeccable interior design
- Underfloor heating
- Satellite TV
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
Bedrooms are located on the 1st and 2nd floors and can be reached by two staircases. All are very well proportioned with large en-suite bathrooms.
The recent renovation/ modernization of this property has taken into consideration modern luxuries like large closets, rain-head showers and big, luxuriating tubs. The room configuration is basically identical on both floors, but rooms on the 1st floor have higher ceilings. Two bedrooms have fireplaces.
Bedroom 6 is the most luxurious with his ‘n her’s fireplaces and a mezzanine-level bathroom.
All suites are elegantly furnished in tasteful, heavy, hand-printed linen fabrics in soothing shades of taupe, cream and putty along with “just the perfect” balance of antique pieces and chaises and chairs for lounging. I “oohed and ahhed” over the fantastically-thick drapery that is deliciously heavy and beautifully-made from a lovely array of country-perfect fabrics that could only have been chosen by a well-trained eye.
All rooms have 2 twin beds which can be made up as Kings. Six rollaway beds, as well as some cots, are available for kids.
MASTER SUITE – UPPER LEVEL
Sleeps 2 – Two Twin/King-size bed. Large room with French doors opening to a sliver of balcony with lovely country views. Dressing area, fireplace and safety deposit box. En-suite his ‘n her’s bathrooms, each with rain-head showers, tub and bidet.
BEDROOM 2 to 5
Sleeps 2 – Two Twin/King-size bed. En-suite bathroom with rain-head shower, tub and bidet.
BEDROOM 6
Sleeps 2 – Two Twin/King-size bed. Two fireplaces and sitting area. Mezzanine-level, en-suite bathroom with rain-head shower, tub and bidet.
BEDROOM 7 and 8
Sleeps 2 – Two Twin/King-size bed. En-suite bathroom with rain-head shower, tub and bidet.
ALL BEDROOMS HAVE LINENS, TOWELS, HEATING, HAIRDRYERS AND TOILETRIES.
Living Areas
A heavy antique, hand-carved wooden door sets the stage for what lies inside. Well-worn, grey marble flagstone floors segue naturally into old wooden plank floors – the kind you want to shuffle around on barefoot – which, as if by osmosis, soak up the last couple of centuries of history.
In the drawing and dining rooms, floor-to-ceiling French doors open to the courtyard with its elegantly-refreshing pool with fountain back-splash. The ideal retreat for breakfasts, sun-soaking, cocktail-sipping or just watching nature – the peace of the countryside envelops you.
The central drawing room and the adjacent TV room are both super-cozy with big squidgy sofas, fireside armchairs, games tables and all the lovely family furnishings you’d expect from such a delicious retreat.
There is nothing just left over from a bygone era – all the rooms have been expertly–choreographed by an exceptional interior design firm to make the most of every original piece and every comfy nook and cranny. Countryside elegance at its epitome.
- Fireplaces in all reception rooms
- TV area off main living room
- Dining room
- Fully-fitted and staffed kitchen
- Breakfast room
- Powder room
- WiFi
- 2 staircases
- Excellent local cook
Rental Price Includes
- Breakfast buffet served by a local cook: fresh-squeezed fruit, juice, breads, jams, yoghurt, cheeses, tomatoes, olive oil, honey, eggs, cereals,
- Daily housekeeping
Know Before You Go
- Sylvia, the housekeeper, is an angel
- Very peaceful but lots to do
- Menus and grocery orders need to be taken in advance
- Bring walking shoes and a camera
- No A/C but walls are about 1 m thick – cool in summer, warm in winter
- Mosquito nets on every window – no mosquitoes or flies
- Ideal times to visit are spring, early summer and autumn
- Some trophy heads in main house, many in the barn
Staff and Services
- Kitchen staff
- Cook
- Housekeeping staff
Kids Services & Activities
- Child-friendly property
- 6 rollaway beds available for kids
Pet Policy
- Please contact us for details
Activities Available On-Site or Nearby
- Golf, sightseeing, horseback riding, scenic drives, restaurants, walking, hiking, shopping, fishing, sailing, snorkeling, beachcombing
Additional Services ($€£)
- Itinerary planning – pre and post-arrival
- Round-trip airport transportation
- Private tour guide
- Chauffeured transportation
- Grocery shopping service
- Babysitting services
- Organizing car rentals
- Booking tours, excursions and restaurant reservations.
- Other services may be available – just ask!
