Really difficult name to pronounce, but a nice place to stay.
We arrived late in the Pyrenees, but had pre-booked at Etxebeltzea , and had dinner on the way. It was an over 9hr drive to get there. I didn't know what to expect – especially after being spoilt at Wim and Hilda's and then the Chateau, but I've come to be really pleasantly surprised with the B&Bs and pensionnes we have stayed in, starting with this one.
This casa rural appears to be a large, old home, with the bedrooms all opening onto an impressive dining/lounge area filled with old books (some dated back to the 1600's!) and other treasures. The rooms themselves were really clean (just a little cosy with the five of us) with own private, stylish and modern bathrooms.
The town was pretty, with a river running through it.
My only point of issue was the peaceful solace of the town (and our room – if staying there, ask for a room on the opposite side to the church) being interrupted every 15mins by the church bell – all through the night! I don't mind the odd bell ringing. I don't even mind the call to prayer in Muslim countries at 4am. But, this bell rang once for quarter-past, twice for half-past, 3 times for quarter-to, then on the hour it rang twice. So, the midnight bell rang 24 times, then, just as you were drifting back off to sleep it was the 12.15am bell! And so the night went on.
Still, I would stay there again, just not on the church side of the house, and perhaps with earplugs.
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