Barcelona Mum

My Favourite Things

A range of fantastic rural retreats for the family close to the Pyrenees. Those seeking satellite TV and nightime entertainment are encouraged not to come. Those who want medieval villages, hills, rivers, woods, rivers, vistas, peace, comfortable, tasteful and reasonably priced accommodation are! The rustic houses have all been personally checked out by the team in this innovative company. They offer a choice of 3 country houses and all of them have excellent children´s facilities. 
637267405  www.myft.net/campo/outsideIE.html

Comments:
The properties are based in Huesca, the Pallars and Priorat. All of the properties have ameneties suitable for children including large gardens, swings and sandpits, My favourite Things also offer workshop holidays for all the family with activities including pottery, painting, writing, cooking, climbing and dance
 

Recommended by Carrie Frais

Casa Pete y Lou

Beautiful rural B&B in Lleida around two and half hours out of Barcelona. Situated on the South East corner of the Tremp Valley: 6 km from the village of San Salvador de Toló, and25 km from the nearest market town of Tremp.
This is an agricultural area, with ifields of wheat, corn and sunflowers, old almond and olive groves as well as vineyards..
San Salvador de Tolo, 25638 Tremp, Lleida  (+34) 973252309 lou@casapeteylou.com www.casapeteylou.com

Comments:
There are lots of activities for children including horseriding, swimming in lakes, canoeing and white water rafting. There are no pram-friendly roads so its all about a backpack/car. The rooms are cosy and clean.
 

Recommended by Zoe Koumbouzi

Hotel Cal Batlle

Around half an hours drive north east of Barcelona, you will find Hotel Cal Batlle, a converted 14th Century stately home near Sant Celoni, on the edge of the beautiful Montseny Nature Park. You are also about a 20 minute drive from the long sandy beaches of the Costa Maresme.
Carretera de Sant Martí de Montnegre s/n 08470 Sant Celoni (Barcelona)  Tel (+34) 938484731 info@hotelcalbatlle.com www.hotelcalbatlle.com

Comments: 
There are a wide range of activities close to the hotel suitable for children including tennis, paintballing, hot air balloon rides, swimming, horseriding and pitch & putt. For keen shoppers La Roca, the (huge) outlet shopping centre is also close by.

Recommended by The Independent Newspaper

Can Maholà - Beuda

Can Maholá consists of 3 sfamily houses, all located in a 12th century traditional Catalan Cottage, which can accommodate up to 12 people. The house is divided in 3 apartments, each with two levels, a roof parking spot and a separate entry.
Cal Ferrer:  can accommodate up to 8 people with 4 bedrooms (1 double 3 twins), 2 fully-equipped bathrooms, a hall, kitchen with all the essential household goods, dining room, a lounge with TV and games, private garden with barbeque area and table & chairs. The house has central heating, bedding, towels and washing machine.
Cal Cisteller & Cal Fuster:  These two apartments have the same layout and are situated on the second and third floor of the cottage - both can accommodate 4 people. On the ground floor is the kitchen, a dining room with TV & games and a separate loo. The two bedrooms (1 double 1 twin) and bathroom are on the top floor. There is a large courtyard with barbeque area shared with the other duplex apartment. The apartments have central heating, a washing machine, linen and towels.
Can Maholà de LLigordà   17850 Beuda ( 34) 972590162  info@canmahola.com www.canmahola.com

Comments:
There is a very large garden with a children´s play area and also a covered swimming pool. Long walks (more than 50km) are signposted in red and white, medium walks (from 10 – 50 km) in white and yellow and local walks (under 10km) in white and green.

Recommended by Angela Schweizer

Mas Carboner - El Pla de l'Estany

Mas Carboner is an independent townhouse with garden in a beautiful setting. The house  was only recently renovated and can accommodate up to 7 people. The owners, a young couple, live across the road on a farm and can provide home-made products and an introduction to real farm life.
s/n-Puigpalter de Dalt - 17820 Banyoles - El Pla de l'Estany ( 34) 972571667 info@mascarboner.com www.mascarboner.com

Comments:
There are lots of local attractions for children such as a Noddy train, an Eco boat trip and a small amusement park on the lake Banyoles (approx. 4km from the house). The lake, with a surface of one square km and 8 km perimeter, is unique in the world in that it is fed by two subterranean rivers, where 600 litres of water are pumped in per second. Despite some Olympic-related lakeside development, with new hotels and restaurants much in evidence, Banyoles is an attractive place to visit, with a well-kept old town and shaded footpaths around the lake. There are plenty of beaches to choose from within forty minutes.

Recommended by Angela Schweizer

El Cau de Palau - Alt Emporda

El Cau de Palau is a charming B&B guest house situated in the small village of Palau-Saverdera, in the province Girona, only 5km away from the sea. The village is surrounded by two beautiful national parks and close to cultural places of interest (Cadaquès, Figueres, Cap de Creus, Pals). The house has 5 beautifully decorated rooms and can accommodate up to 16 people.
Calle La Costa 1917495 Palau Saverdera ( 34) 902885385 info@elcaudepalau.com www.elcaudepalau.com

Comments:
They offer a babysitting service and cots are available. The following activities can be arranged through the guest house: horse-riding, walking tours, swimming, hunting, climbing, fishing and bird watching in the national parks and guided walks. The owner does all the cooking and will prepare dishes for children.

Recommended by Angela Schweizer

Can Mas d’Albanyà - Albanyà

Can Mas d’Albanyà is a renovated country estate dating from the 13th century. It is situated in a peaceful and quiet area in the Alt Empordà and is the ideal place to go for walks or bike rides. You can also play golf, and go horse riding nearby.
Despoblado s/n 17733 Albanyà Alt Emporda ( 34) 972542023  info@canmasalbanya.com www.canmasalbanya.com

Comments:
This farmhouse offers 3 types of accommodation -  B&B, apartments or private house. There is a large garden, swimming pool and lounge and with real fire. In July and August the hotel only offers accomodation for 7 nights (Saturday to Saturday basis). Cots are available on request.

Recommended by Angela Schweizer

Hostal Mas Rabiol - Sant Climent de Peralta

Mas Rabiol is a very well maintained and totally renovated Masia (farmhouse) from the 16th century. There are 3 standard rooms, 3 superior rooms and a junior suite (with mini bar) all of which have a fully-equipped bathroom and TV.
Afores s/n – 17110 Sant Climent de Peralta ( 34) 619782105 info@masrabiol.com www.masrabiol.com

Comments:
There is a swimming pool in the garden as well as garden furniture, a swing for children and a barbeque area

Recommended by Angela Schweizer

Galena Mas Comangau - Begur

Dating back to the beginning of the last century, this farmhouse has been recently refurbished and offers 7 rooms. It is located in the beautiful medeival village of Begur in the heart of the Baix Empordà. It has simple décor and original architecture.
Calle Ramón Llull,1, 17255 Begur ( 34) 972623210 info@mascomangau.com www.mascomangau.com

Comments:
There is one room at this hotel that can accommodate 4 and so is great for families. Children under 4 stay free when using existing bedding. Cots and highchairs are available and the restaurant welcomes children.

Recommended by Angela Schweizer

Mas Ros - Vilademuls

This beautiful stone house is situated in Olives, a tranquil village of just 20 inhabitants. Very close to all the amenities of Girona (15 minutes away), and Figuères (20 minutes). It is a restored former tenant-farmers house with 5 double rooms, each equipped with fully-equipped bathroom, heating, TV and 2 “Family” rooms which are interconnected.
Barri de los olives  - 17468 Vilademuls (Playa de l’Estany) ( 34) 972561044 info@masros.com www.masros.com

Comments:
There is a very big garden with a children´s play area and swimming pool. Breakfast is included in the price and everything is made with local produce and served under a covered porch during the summer months. Cots and highchairs are available.

Recommended by Angela Schweizer

Hotel del Prado

This rustic hotel on the french border is within reach of all the main ski resorts (La Masella, La Molina, Font Romeu and Les Angles in France), mountain villages and stunning countryside of La Cerdanya. It is family-run and its restaurant is well known within the area. Puigcerda is the capital of Cerdanya, and is a lovely mountain town with cobbled streets and a choice of decent shops. 
Carretera de Llivía, s/n 17520 Puigcerda Tel (+34) 972880400 hprado@teleline.es www.cerdanya.net/hprado/indexs.htm

Comments: 
Activities available for children include tennis, swimming, football, basketball and rollerblading. There is also a toddler play-area

Recommended by Rachael West