www.villasbarcelona.com: Villa rentals in Barcelona and Costa Brava

Costa Brava Villas : Casa Sant Joan : Comments

Feedback on Casa Sant Joan





----- Original Message -----
From: jan mulder
To: charlie@villasbarcelona.com
Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 8:31 PM
Subject: RE: Casa Sant Juan, directions from the north border with France?

Dear Charlie.

We stayed in the Casa Sant Joan this summer and we liked it that much that we would like to stay there again. We would like to rent the houses for 3 weeks in summer of 2010. Can you let us know if this period is still available and if yes make us a special price

Thanks a lot
with kind regards
Jan Mulder



----- Original Message -----
From: d'hiet christa
To: villasbarcelona
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2008 1:15 PM
Subject: casa san juan

Hi Charlie,

Just wanted to let you know, we arrived good at the house last night.
The owners are realy very nice , the house is great.
We will have a good time here.
I have paid for the house to these people when we arrived, also for the shopping.
Thank you for your help, i'm very happy that i found your site and that we found this wonderfull house here for our holidays.

Kind Regards
Christa



----- Original Message -----
From: Tomas M.
To: villasbarcelona
Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2008 11:56 AM
Subject: Re: Casa San Juan, final details

Hello Charlie,

At last I'm back home and I can get back to you. Thank you for helping us to get to Barcelona and stay in villa San Juan.

I wonder if there are any comments about our stay from the hosts of Villa of San Juan?

I'd like to write a short comment on how wonderful we spent time in their property. Could you ask owners if they are interested in good comment. How do I do that? Just write to you and you'll forward?

Let me know.
Regards,
Tomas



----- Original Message -----
From: frederic apelbaum
To: charlie@villasbarcelona.com
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 9:17 PM

Bonjour Charlie,

je tenais à vous remercier nous avons passer des vacances extraordinaires,la maison est très sympa et au calme.

Pépita et Jordi sont très sympatiques et nous les remerçions pour leur accueil.

Il se peut que nous revenions l'année prochaine.

Merci pour tout.
Frédéric Apelbaum



----- Original Message -----
From: "Sarah Walters"
To: "villasbarcelona"
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 10:23 PM
Subject: Re: summer 2006 rental

Dear Charlie

No problem with the feedback. We really enjoyed the holiday and would go back to stay at Casa San Juan.

We were given a very warm welcome by the owners who were at the villa to meet us on our arrival. As we spoke no or very little Spanish they had arranged for their daughter to be there as well and she spoke very good English. The family showed us around the house and grounds and then drove ahead of us to town so we could find the supermarket at Mataro. They could not have been more accommodating.

The house was lovely. We all really liked the layout of the rooms and it was geat to have two bathrooms. It was well equipped. We made good use of the pool and loved the table tennis table where we had regular family tournaments. The location for us was ideal as we love the peace and quiet and we certainly got that at the Casa San Juan. I loved the view onto the pine trees from the upstairs bedroom window. You could lie in bed and hear the birds and see the trees - it was idyllic. I also enjoyed sitting at the front of the villa or by the pool and reading.

We soon got used to the hire car (essential) and the road network and made two visits to Barcelona. To do this we parked the car in Vilassar de Mar on the coast and took the train. It is very easy and certainly better than driving - the trains were cheap and very clean. The villa is conveniently located for doing this. We also explored the coast northwards towards the Costa Brava and had a lovely day in Gerona which is well worth a visit. The kid's favourite was Gnomo Park at Lloret de Mar - a small amusement park with playground, animal park and small rides. The best beach was near here at Santa Christina. It is a small sandy bay with pine woods all around.

Please feel free to use our comments on the website or where ever you would like to.

Best wishes
Sarah Walters



----- Original Message -----
From: Elaine Barrett
To: charlie@tourismcatalonia.com
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2005 5:18 PM
Subject: casa san juan

Hello charlie, we booked Casa San Juan last year and are interested in booking again for the summer of 2006.

What is available in the month of August and what is the rental?

I look forward to hearing from you,
Regards
Michael Barrett

and

----- Original Message -----
From: elaine barrett
To: villasbarcelona
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 9:25 PM
Subject: Re: Casa Sant Juan, July 30 to August 13 - how was it?

Dear Charlie,

We thoroughly enjoyed the stay at Casa Joan. The villa more than met our expectations and we cannot believe that people left and did not stay as quoted on your website. The convenience of only 10 minutes to the train station at cardedeu and 40 minutes ish to Barcelona city helped to make the stay even more enjoyable. Our hosts were extremely helpful especially when we had problems with the electrics to the pool after an amazing thunderstorm.In saying that the pool was much better than the photos you had on the website and Maria explained that they had re furbished it this year. Nothing seemed too much trouble to them and it showed in the house and surroundings. The people in catalonia were some of the most helpful and friendly encountered in Spain and we will certainly be re visiting the area.

I hope this will be of help to you in perhaps re writing the advert as I feel you are underselling the charm and comfort of casa san juan in your web page. We would certainly recommend the villa to any one who likes toget off the beaten track and not stay in "ordinary houses".

Yours Elaine and Michael Barrett



----- Original Message -----
From: Catherine Walshe
To: Charles Williams
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 6:40 PM
Subject: Re: Casa Sant Juan - 15 to 29 August 2005

Hi.

We had a great stay in Casa Sant Juan - it was everything we expected and more. The drought affected our ability to BBQ, but the pool was unaffected.

I thought the description of the house was extremely accurate, although the pool has been completely refurbished and the pictures on the web site don't reflect that. We had plenty of space for the 7 of us - the kids loved the pool, the table tennis and just the general sense of space around the house. The house was immaculately clean, lots of supplies of towels, linen etc. Jordi, Pepita and Nuria (sp?) were there to meet us and were very welcoming and friendly.

Any niggles are minor only - the hot water was *exceptionally* hot, the wasps were troublesome outside (nothing you can do about that!!), and the oven could do with an additional shelf to facilitate cooking for 7! We did struggle a little on day 1 as we arrived on a public holiday, so there were no shopping facilities open, and although there were some food supplies in the house our first meal was interesting to say the least!!! We did find a restaurant open up the hill to eat in the evening though.

We found the location ideal for the sort of holiday we wanted - we drove into Barcelona for about 4 or 5 days (driving fantastic in August - no traffic jams etc. and parking a dream in free parking bays - worth mentioning to people. House had an excellent street map - navigated our way round no problem) - explored the Rambla, Barri Gotic, Tibidabo, Montjuc, Sagrada Familia etc. Lots to keep the kids entertained without boring them with museums etc. or doing a lot of walking with my slightly older father! We also went up into the national parks to walk and a trip to Montserrat. And of course the beach....we never got as far as the Costa Brava, kids were perfectly content in the beaches north of Mataro.

All in all a great holiday!

Catherine



----- Original Message -----
From: Davidtanyard
To: charlie@villasbarcelona.com
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 5:30 PM
Subject: Re: Casa San Juan,

Hi Charlie

we had a fab time pool was great even the weather was fine
thanks Pam



----- Original Message -----
From: janethopkins
To: Charles Williams
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2003 7:23 PM
Subject: casa san joan

Dear Charlie,

Thanks for your email. Before putting some thoughts down on the house a question: is the house available next September - the first two or three weeks?

We had a great holiday. We loved the space - with the possibility of playing table tennis, swimming or just sitting around - and not being on top of one another.

The water in the pool was rather cold and we felt that the tiles around the pool could do with some renovation. The kitchen was adequate, though with seven people it was not possible for more than two to be there without serious claustrophobia setting in.

The owners were very friendly people and we were struck with the generosity of the equipment provided - plenty of glasses etc and when we arrived there was enough food to last for a day or two, which was very thoughtful of them.

The house itself isn't all that big, but with good weather you don't want to be inside anyhow. It was a pity that the nearest shops were quite a long way away, but it was lovely sitting high up and looking down on the valley. The Spanish people we met on the holiday were, without exception, very friendly.

Well, I hope that is of some help. You can quote our name/my name, but please don't give any more details than "Lancashire".
I look forward to hearing from you about the house next September.
Regards,
Janet Hopkins

Go back to Casa Sant JoanGo back to Casa Sant Joan


----- Original Message -----
From: Probyn Miers
To: Charles Williams
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2003 3:50 PM
Subject: Casa Sant Juan

Dear Charlie,

Sorry that this is rather a late note to thank you for organising our holiday and to let you know what we thought.

We thoroughly enjoyed Casa Sant Juan and didn't mind the driveway or the walk to the pool at all. In fact we thought the pool was lovely and much more fun than the modern bright blue plastic pools so popular now. Our only negative comments on the house were firstly that we found the kitchen a bit small for serious food preparation. We are a foodie family so spend more time than most in the kitchen. We also missed having adequate lighting in the new barbeque/ping pong area but that would be easily remedied. It would also have been useful to have a large salad bowl.

Thanks again
Miers family



----- Original Message -----
From: Andrew Healy
To: Charles Williams
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2003 7:42 PM
Subject: 2 weeks at san Juan

Dear Charles

We have now returned from an excellent holiday at San Juan. Unfortunately my wife immediately deposited all the details in the rubbish bin on our return, I have some friends who may be interested in using the accomadation next year. So can you send me the appropriate website link so that i can pass it on. As to comments a recommendation to friends is the only recommendation

regards Andy Healy



----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Neimantas
To: Charles Williams
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2003 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: Can Sant Juan, 2 weeks August 2003

Hi Charlie,

Just a note to let you know that we've had a very enjoyable holiday with the accomodation above our expectations. We enjoyed the space around Can Sant Juan, the pool and table tennis were a hit with us all and the BBQ excellent and large enough to ensure everybody's food was ready at the same time. Also many thanks for the provisions in the house when we arrived, it certainly avoided us having to rush straight to the supermarket, a lovely touch.

Whilst Can Sant Juan was very peaceful, local villages could soon be reached and Barcelona was only 40 minutes by car for sightseeing and more lively activities so to us, it was the best of both worlds.

We feel that improvements could be made by putting a light in the table tennis and BBQ areas, changing the bed bases which squeaked every time you moved and improving the plumbing in the downstairs bathroom to avoid flooding each time you took a bath or shower. Oh and it might be an idea to re-flag around the pool in the not too distant future.

We did have an incident were the children from the neighbouring house came to the pool area on evening, threw in the table and chairs including a fabric one the took three large inflatables and dragged them down the hill. Unfortunately Julie and I were out at the time but Julie's mother heard a noise and went to investigate and the boys ran off then a lady brought back the inflatables. We tried to explain this to the owners on our day of departure but were not sure whether they understood and thought they may like to have a word with the neighbours to avoid it happening to any other people holidaying there.

All in all a fantastic holiday and we'll certainly consider booking again in the future.

Many thanks

Paul, Julie, Liam & Laura Neimantas

PS What are the prices out of season? I look fwd to hearing from you.

----- Original Message -----
From: Christinefaires
To: tourism@catalonia.net
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2002 11:43 PM
Subject: Casa Sant Joan

Dear Charlie

We would just like to write to you regarding our stay at Casa Sant Joan 10/08 - 24/08/2002. My family thoroughly enjoyed our holiday at the house and we would be happy if you were to add our comments to your website.

The description of the property and the pictures on your webpage spoke for themselves - we were not expecting a luxurious villa but what we found on arrival was exactly what we had seen on your website.

We were absolutely delighted with the property and what you had described as potential drawbacks did nothing to spoil our holiday in any way whatsoever - in fact we feel they enhanced what was a charming property on a wonderful spacious wooded hillside with a real family house feel and we enjoyed a relaxing, peaceful holiday. It was great to have so much space to ourselves with lots of room for the children to roam about outside. All shopping areas are within reach and Barcelona only a train ride away - the trains are much better than our "British Rail"!

We found Jordi, Pepita and Nuria to be lovely people and excellent hosts. We were made extremely welcome to their house. All the little "extras" provided, including a mobile telephone and contact numbers if any problems made it like a home from home. Having been to many different privately-owned villas over the past few years - some supposedly luxurious where the standards have been "average" - we were very impressed with the cleanliness of the property. We also enjoyed the facilities of the pool and the barbeque in the empty house and despite it being further away from the house than we had originally thought it presented us with no difficulty in being able to enjoy our holiday at all and it didn't matter to us that it wasn't right on the doorstep. We wouldn't even criticise the drive up from the road as we have had to endure much worse in the past and our car made it up to the house with 5 people in it and a boot full of luggage!!!

We had a thoroughly enjoyable holiday and look forward to visiting Casa Sant Joan soon in the near future. We are amazed that the family that turned up preceding us turned it down wasting three weeks - they just don't know what they missed!

Best wishes
Faires Family, Hertfordshire.

PS - Could you let us know the rates for the house in low season.


----- Original Message -----
From: Dirk Van Roosbroeck
To: Charles Williams
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2002 11:30 PM
Subject: Re: Rental of Can Sant Juan

Hello Charlie,

we really can't understand the reaction of the guests that arrived just after us! To us it was a great place, and more than we expected after visiting the webpage. It was the fourth time we visited Catalonia, and one of the best places to stay. When you rent a 40-year old house (as mentioned in the website) for 137 EURO a day, you can't expect a luxury villa. The house was absolutely clean, everything in the house functions as it should, the beds were made on our arrival, all linen was provided for AND : the kitchen was provided with enough food to pass the first days, even a bottle of cava and wine was found in the fridge (never seen this before). When we left the owners asked us if we had any remarks about the house, I told them everything was just great. We had a great holiday and I also promised them I would send you our comments. Besides, everyone looking at our photos and videos think it's a great place. We are even considering to go back next year. About the owners : they were very friendly on our arrival (and later on) and made us feel at home immediately. Please send them our best greetings and thank them for the hospitality. I think the website gives the right information about the house and the house is centainly worth the money we paid.

Best regards,
Dirk Van Roosbroeck and family


From: Philip Wilson
To: ckwilliams@nexo.es
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2002 12:42 PM
Subject: Fwd:

Charlie,

First, apologies for not writing to you after we returned - on my things to do list and then it was work, work, work...

Sorry to hear others thought so poorly of Casa San Juan. We all thought it was just fine, though the kids were cross of course that we had arrived too early in the year to use the pool!

Have you changed the web site write up? It's not how I remember it. I was going to write to say that from the web I hadn't appreciated that the driveway was an adventure to be had every time you went in or out. The setting was a lot more remote than i had expected. The driveway, woodland landscape and other surrounds create an enjoyable sense of hiding out. I felt more connected with a real Spain for the place not feeling like it was built for tourists. All those outhouses made it seem like a working home. We parents liked the seclusion of the upstairs bedroom/bathroom. Its very easy to DO Barcelona and it was fun to have such a contrasting retreat

The way you describe it now on the web is very honest and frankly i think you could be more positive about its quirky character. But that may be the problem. I guess most tourists aren't looking for an eccentric adventure! The fact that the pool is actually sited by a second decaying house only added to its romantic charm for me. Others may think it's an inconvenience and ugly. If you drive a precious expensive car designed for city life you may panic about your wheels falling off.

I could tell you that the bed upstairs was not that comfortable, too springy for us. Being 'out of high season' GUESTS of Jordi, Pepita and Nuria (that's how welcome they made us feel on arrival and departure) we needed somewhere to settle inside of an evening. The living area as you enter the house is arranged more as a dining room. This was not as relaxing as it might be. It was cold at Easter time, but then collecting wood and lighting the fire was all part of the adventure.

Perhaps it would help if you knew what kind of tourists we are. Our ideal holiday is a Greek Island, staying in a spartan villa while enjoying the simple pleasures of Retsina and the locally caught fish grilling by our side in the Taverna. A bit old hippy I guess. So the remoteness of Casa San Juan was COOL by us. Its amenities enough. The kind of villa we're used to doesn't provide a luxury lounge.

I have to confess to rather liking the idea that there are people who couldn't cope - makes me feel part of a special club of those who value authentic aesthetic over four star banality. My suggestion is you question applicants to see if they are fit for the opportunity before accepting them into the club.

Please pass on our best regards to Jordi, Pepita and Nuria.

Best regards,
Philip
P.S. Yet to persuade the family to consider the house on Ibiza. Be back soon... i hope ....

Go back to Casa Sant JoanGo back to Casa Sant Joan


From: Eugene Windrim
To: 'Charles K. Williams'
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2001 7:24 PM
(The Windrim family rented three different places last September, and sent comments on each.)

Hi Charlie,
In no particular order, here we go;

1) Your service is excellent; we were able at very short notice to "visit" available properties and attempt to match our wants with available options on the ground. In the bad old days we'd have needed to walk into a travel agent (to get their attention) and believe whatever they might say about whatever they were prepared to divulge regarding a limited range of options about which they typically know practically nothing. Phew! - lemme try again, in simple terms we tapped into an easy option (web), which was varied, informative, comprehensive and real. In addition it was fun and it was current. On my first search I found you (probably under "Tourism + Barcelona") and within an hour I was talking to you on one of your two 'phones. The previous visitors' comments are useful but I would suggest that the camera never lies, (ie) the linked photos are invaluable. The further support (i.e. car hire info, El Sauc etc) were a bonus and the icing is probably the concise and informative emails giving a comfort zone to intending travellers re road directions etc.

2) is about Can Marga

3) San Juan. What can we say? Such lovely people! The hospitality we encountered there was on the point of being painful. From the well stocked kitchen on our arrival to the group photo on our departure we had a magical week. My wife would probably consider the cleanliness and freshness of the home (kitchen, bed linen etc.) to be the highlight, the 3 kids would remind her that the dogs and/or the pool were the main attractions whereas I know that the huge grounds with plenty of hiding places was the highlight! We saw an owl one night in the garden, a big one he was too, and could hear him every night, this lent to the rural flavour of the place. We found Mataro hard to navigate for some reason; I seemed to get lost for 10 minutes every time I tried to leave it, but again, it is a nice town.

I hope the above represents feedback that is usable for your ongoing developement of the service. Please feel free to take artistic licence with my comments; I am happy to be quoted in effusive and positive terms even if I don't have Donald Rumsfeld's facility with the soundbite! Equally you can include my email if required, even on a selective basis.

All that apart, thanks for your help in the summer and the very best of luck with the biz,

Eugene Windrim,


----- Original Message -----
From: Bart de Hoon
To: Charles Williams
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 9:48 AM
Subject: Casa San Joan

Dear Charles,

A bit late, but we wanted to express our gratitude for an excellent organisation and for the superb holiday resort that Casa San Joan is.

The location of the house (20 mins from central parking + metro in Barcelona), its surroundings (beautiful and peaceful), its condition (clean, everything necessary available..) and the friendly, helpful owners (!) make that everything was there to spend a great holiday.

Please pass this to the owners.
Thank you and .. we'll be back.
Bart, Carmina, Roeland, Lili, Yon, Shihomi PS I promised the owners a photograph of everyone - when I get my CD (friend took digital photo's ) I will send one through

===========================================

Bart de Hoon
Oracle Belgium


----- Original Message -----
From: Julie Szabo
To: tourism@catalonia.net
Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2002 10:27 PM
Subject: RE: Casa San Juan

Hi Charles,

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply to your email, it's been a very busy time. I'm so sorry to hear about your experience with the family who refused to stay at Casa San Juan. Our experience was totally different. We very much enjoyed our stay at Casa San Juan. It is quite remote, which should be represented on the website, but was very clean and totally adequate, especially for the price. We really enjoyed having so much space to ourselves and the property was lovely. We spent a lot of time using the pool and enjoyed the stunning view from the villa. It may not be an ideal location for anyone hoping to spend a lot of time in Barcelona, but it's certainly a relaxing place to stay! Also, the family was extremely friendly and very thoughtful having left food for us in the kitchen when we arrived late on Saturday night. I hope this has helped you.

All the best,
Julia


----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Tilley (UK)
To: Charles K. Williams
Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2001 4:35 PM
Subject: Re: Casa San Juan, Dec, 2000

Charlie,

Thank you for your e mail regarding Casa Sant Joan.

I am pleased to say that we all had a wonderful time during our visit and found the house very comfortable and well equipped.

The location was perfect and the owners extremely helpful. We are keen to rent the property again possibly in the Spring and I would be pleased if you could advise us on availability.

Thank you for your very efficient help with our rental and I look forward to doing business again.

Regards

Mark Tilley
----- Original Message -----
From: Brendon Williamson
To: Charles K. Williams
Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2001 2:40 PM
Subject: Re: BOOKING FOR CASA SANT JOAN

Mr Williamson came to scout around the area before his late-May rental and told me about the road to coast and Mataro.

Hello Charles

I did take the road down to Mataro and I can tell you it was most pleasant. The road winds its way gently down to the coast and runs parallel to a major road right before Mataro. It took us about 15 minutes from the gates of the Casa to the urban Mataro. While at the casa, one would never suspect how close they really are to the sea. The peace and quiet around the casa is such an attraction and the proximity to Barcelona and the sea at Mataro make this even more appealing. Best of both worlds etc....

Having driven up the coast road for a few miles, I would imagine that by May or June the tranquility would have disappeared to a large extent. But that is something I will wait to discover.

Regards
Brendon
Go back to Casa Sant JoanGo back to Casa Sant Joan