Having accidentally discovered the area whilst on holidays during 1988, Patricia and Brian immediately fell in love with its rugged and unspoilt beauty. The location for a long planned 'new life' had been found. After an extensive exploration of the region and its villages they found the little mountain village of Quatretondeta .
Overlooked by the Serrella mountain and its distinctive pinnacles known as "Els Frares", they decided this was to be the location of their dream. In 1988 a small holding of 12 acres, 2 kilometres from the village, was bought.
Producing olives and almonds, this provided the base for which they could get to know the local people and search for a suitable property. In 1991 a large, ruined village house was purchased and the project began. A few days before Christmas 1992 the builders moved in and phase 1 of the reformation began.
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Building work was completed by the end of April 1993 and furnishing and the tiresome pursuit of the necessary licenses and permissions began. Els Frares opened its doors to the public on 30th June 1993. Further reformation work was carried out in 1995, when the roof was raised and another floor added. In 1999 further licences were sort and major modifications were made to the lounge and reception areas, as well as a further 3 double bedrooms being added.
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Finally in 2005 adjoining properties were bought and the long awaited expansion and renovation took place.
Early 2006 saw the opening of the new restaurant Les Agulles dels Frares ( the Pinnacles), along with 6 new bedrooms all with terrace, new kitchens , additional lounge and bar space, new reception , and lift access to all rooms. New heating and air conditioning system has been fitted throughout to ensure the most comfortable stay possible.
The restaurant, as well as serving our excellent cuisine ,as always, now offers an extended a la carte menu. An excellent place for refined yet informal dining with superb views of the surrounding countryside and village.
"Els Frares is our own personal dream based entirely on what we personally would like to encounter whilst on holiday but have so rarely found: welcoming, comfortable accommodation and above all, good food using the best of the wonderful fresh ingredients available to us here in Spain. Obviously not forgetting another important element, our glorious scenery and weather. Hopefully there are many more people in the world with similar tastes."
..says Brian
"With my passion for cooking and our love of this area and Spanish life, we aim to make Els Frares a welcoming, comfortable base, with good food and wine; a base for guests wanting to get under the skin of the real Spain."
.. says Patricia
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Since opening in 1993 Els Frares has steadily gained an international reputation for comfortable accommodation, excellent cuisine and exceptional value for money. It is recommended by many of Europe's leading guides, such as Gourmetour, El Pais / Aquilar guides, and
Allaster Sawdays "Special Places to Stay in Spain"
Read what Special places has to say about Els Frares :- www.sawdays.co.uk
The Times of London selected Els Frares as "Best Place to Stay" in June 1999.
Named by El Mundo, the Spanish national newspaper, as the icons of rural tourism in the Valencian community on 6th January 2006.
Also featured in various international publications.
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Click HERE to read what has been said about us. |
