FAQs
Everything you need to know
Your Questions Covered
The practical stuff
Which airport do I fly to?
Alicante is about 1hr 5 mins by car, Valencia is about 1hr25, both an easy drive mostly on motorway, both to junction 63 of the A7.
Do I have to hire a car?
Yes. Any of the usual companies are available at either airport, or from Alicante use costablancatransfers who will meet you in person and take you to your car, they provide our guests with baby seats free of charge and make sure they are fitted to the car. Queuing for your car and fitting the seat is the part of the journey that can get tricky, if cheap car hire pops up on line, handle with care.
What time is check in and check out?
Ideally you arrive around 2pm for a late lunch or by 6pm in time for children’s tea, but outside of that isn’t a problem (although the room might not be ready if you are arrive before noon) Late night arrivals carry a 50 euros surcharge. On the way out, we take bed linen and rubbish out of your room around 10 but you are welcome to stay longer if you want to.
What baby equipment to I need to bring?
Bring two sleep bags if that is how your baby sleeps (teddy, blanky etc) plus whatever you would normally bring for a journey in your hand luggage, (nappies, an emergency change of clothes, snacks and a bottle, beaker, spoon, bib) but once you arrive all you really need are your babies bottles, bring a few more than you think you need to avoid sterlising panics. If you need anything else that you don’t have, just come and ask…
What is provided for the baby?
What don't we have?
What about baths vs showers?
What about allergies and fussy eating?
What about other stuff that is provided?
Bathrobes, beach towels, also nail varnish remover, cotton wool pads and buds, plasters, a pack of cards and a pack of bananagram (like scrabble). And I’m pretty sure every room has a hairdryer.
A note about electricity – run the house on solar power, which means we don’t have things like microwaves, electric toasters and kettles, but we do have air con. We have hob top kettles and little planchas for toast, they look like corrugated frying pans and work brilliantly.
What is provided in the kitchen?
Bearing in mind the above, the kitchen in your apartment is basic, just a fridge and a hob and a few tools for knocking up a snack, and a cork screw! If you want something more, come and ask.
What about welcome pack and groceries?
In a basket when you will arrive you will find tea coffee sugar jam bread Weetabix bananas and bottled water. In the fridge will be butter, kids yogurt, OJ and both full and semi milk. If you need soya or oat milk we can provide that. Other bits and bobs we usually have in stock, or you can venture down to the shops and get yourselves settled in. The supermarket is 10 mins away and closes at 9pm, there are little stores open on a Sunday.
Is the water safe to drink?
Our water supply does not come from the mains so it isn’t treated the way it would be if it was certified for drinking. We clean our teeth and make tea and wash lettuce with it, but recommend drinking bottled water if you want to drink it by the glass. Bottled water is available in the bar, and of course in all the shops. The bottled water we provide is fine for making up formula for baby.
What about sterilising?
We use cold water and Milton tablets rather than electric steam sterlisers, or just boil your teats and wash your bottles, or if baby is on the move then just stop sterlising a few weeks before your hols.
What about booze?
There is an honesty bar by the pool, just have a page in the book for your family and we add it up at the end of the week – prices are honest too! Drinks with meals are all included in the price of that meal, including vino and beers at kids tea time.
What other extras might we be in for?
We have a visiting therapist for massages and manicures, once we know which day she is coming we put a timetable on the blackboard by the back door and everyone signs up for their slot, any treatments are added to your bill.
If you need laundry done in the week, use the white bucket you find in your wardrobe and leave it in the garage (near the steps by the ping pong table) We don’t let you load it up yourself just because of power and water issues, and as such charge 15 Euros a load.
Also if you want any child care or babysitting, this costs 10 Euros an hour if the baby is asleep, or 15 Euros an hour for daycare or if the baby is awake . Give us a bit of warning so we can arrange the most suitable staff.
Does our holiday have to be Saturday to Saturday?
Probably yes, but it depends on the time of year, so just ask. Some families have a few extra days in Valencia or Alicante on the end of their holiday.
What if I have to cancel?
We will do our best to rebook your room and return your deposit. In the case of last minute cancellation due to a sick child unable to travel or work commitments for example, and/or when we are unable to rebook, we keep the deposit, you pay the balance, we send you a cancellation invoice and you claim on your insurance for your accommodation and flights
FAQs and more with Sarah
Friendly advice from your host
From a Guest’s Perspective
Insights from a family like yours
We asked Becky from Tiny Travelship to answer some FAQs about her family’s recent visit. Becky visited in September 2024 with husband Henry and Maggie, while she was 8 months pregnant.
“Custom made holidays for families with young children, particularly preschoolers. If Kids’ Club is not your thing, this holiday is one for mums and dads desperately seeking a little rest and relaxation…
Fairy godmother-esque owner Sarah will happily whisk tiny travellers away to feed the animals, jump on the trampoline or play in the sandpit.”
What ages is it best for?
Caserío del Mirador really know their niche, little one from 0 to about 5 yearts old. This comes across in the baby & toddler equipment provided, the toys (including sandpits, ride on tractors, trikes, inflatables, trainsets, piles of books in the rooms… I could go on) but perhaps most importantly, the other guests…
It’s unlike anywhere we’ve ever been, in that it’s like going on holiday with a group of great mates… that you’ve never met before. I wouldn’t call myself overly social but Caserío del Mirador seems to attract a lovely bunch of chilled, like minded parents – all with little ones of the same age – and if that isn’t a fast track to bonding, what is? In all honesty, the kids probably warm to each other more quickly that we do as adults. Every morning Maggie woke up and wanted to find her ‘best friend’ – having such a firm focus on preschoolers means everyone just ‘gels’ and it was adorable to watch.
Please note, this is not ‘forced fun’, you can be as involved (or uninvolved) as you like. With spacious apartments and private outdoor areas, there are definitely a few families that we saw less of – leaving how you want to join in down to personal preference.
Do you sit with other families for dinner, or by yourself?
It’s really up to you! Sarah will happily deliver freshly cooked meals to your door, to enjoy on the privacy of your balcony or terrace (which I think most people did the first couple of nights while we sussed each other out). But by the end of the week, I can hand on heart say most of us were up on the terrace, enjoying wine and easy conversation while being served delicious dishes (do yourself a favour and request the apple pie. Seriously!)
Think vases of fresh flowers & twinkly lights – very instagrammable!It’s worth also adding – Sarah will tailor meals to your preferences and any dietary requirements, so it’s a great one for allergies with almost everything made from scratch (and what, she orders in especially)
What was the food like?
Really, really good. I would show you a picture but… I ate everything too quickly! Sarah’s son is training to be a chef and it’s easy to see where he gets his inspiration.
We ate everything from paella to fresh seafood, all locally sourced or homegrown and can honestly say it rivalled any ‘luxury’ hotel restaurant. And for breakfast every morning, warm croissants, breads and fruit are delivered to your door, you just sit at your outside table and enjoy the view.
How far is the beach/shops/restaurants – is a car rental needed?
Yes to the car hire – you can get by without one but I think you’d be missing out on what the area offers. Local shops (including supermarket so swanky it easily rivals Waitrose) are about an 8 min drive down the road in Jalón – which is a very authentic Spanish town with little squares and restaurants to explore.
Then there’s tonnes of beaches within half an hour drive. Our favourites were at Javea and Moraira. Caserío del Mirador provide lots of recommendations on all fronts, printed in a pack, or just have a chat. There’s something for everyone.
How much do meals cost at the hotel? Is it possible to cook meals in the apartments?
Our apartment had a kitchen so we could have, but the most adventurous we got was boiling stuffed pasta for Maggie one night! Cooking isn’t a personal strength and when Sarah’s feasts were on offer each day (bar Monday and Wednesday) when her kitchen is closed) it was hard to resist.
In summary, I think it’s amazing value for money compared to what you’d pay in a restaurant… Breakfast is 5€ a head (though if you’re watching the pennies, this probably the easiest to take care of yourself).
Sunday paella lunch is 30€ a head (10€ for children) for three courses! It’s worth pointing out portions are essentially unlimited so no need for a sit down dinner later on and it includes free flowing drinks (veggie/pescatarians all catered for as well).
How much extra did you spend whilst staying there? Trying to cost it all up!
Children’s teas were 15€ (very cleverly served with wine for the adults) which includes both savoury and sweet (I definitely nabbed some of the home baked muffins when no one was looking…)
Indulgent 3 course evening meals for the grown ups – the price varies depending on the menu, but I think most of ours came in at 30€ a head (again including alcohol). Honestly, with the quality of the food, this feels a bit criminal – they’re the sort of meals you’d easily drop £150 on a night out in London, (based on when I last went out in 2002!)
You could also arrange extras such as massages, Pilates & babysitting but personally, we didn’t do this. Easting most meals for the week we spent about £400 (and then the hire car was £180ish).
What was there to do at the hotel?
Collecting eggs from the hens, feeding the pigs, goats and ponies, petting the rabbits, chasing the kittens (I can’t confirm how much they enjoyed this, but the children did…), splashing in the gorgeous pool, bouncing around on the trampoline, building castles in the sandpit, cconstructing sprawling train sets, playing on the swings and slides, raiding the toy room for any number of trikes/bikes, inflatables, prams, etc. And there’s still probably things I’ve forgotten…
What was there to do in the surrounding area?
Out and about the main themes were waterfalls, beaches, seaside restaurants and colourful Spanish villages (consuming lots of ice cream whilst wandering around). Our favourite spots were the waterfalls at Fonts d’Algar
Moraira where we have an amazing lunch at a restaurant called La Casita, a few minutes from the beach, apparently it get busy and the service can suffer at dinner, so head here early on. Javea – as a firm pebble over sand fan, this is my idea of holiday heaven (plus the water was amazing) though apparently there is a sandy stretch a little further along too. There was a lovely beach bar with incredible views and a couple of ice cream spots.
Altea had some really gorgeous shops I’d love to have a wander around but Maggie stuck her foot down a drain (don’t ask). The seafront is a 5 min walk away as well.
Best time of year to visit?
We went in September (cheaper flights!) and with the exception of one day, had blue skies and perfect swimming weather (even for me, and I’m a wimp with cold water!). I’d say head away between mid May and the end of October – obviously peak season is best if you’re hoping for top temperatures, but if you’re happy to mix in some sightseeing, head out once the bigger kids are back at school.
Can you rent the place for one big family group?
In a word, yes! And Caserío del Mirador will happily help arrange celebrations too – from cakes to live music and everything in between.
“Thank you for the most magical holiday. We all loved it and I haven’t stopped ranting about it to my friends. The kids miss the bunnies, and you.”
Emma and Gareth with Nae and Seren, Palmera, October 2024