BED AND BREAKFAST IN ANDORRA - CAL SUSANNE

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Welcome

Welcome to Andorra.

Here you can be as energetic as you like -sample the many activities available at any time of the year- or just relax, take in the views from the terrace and catch up with your reading, your sun tan, or just snooze.

A team competing in the Pirena dog sleigh race at Soldeu

The Spring time offers late skiing until mid April while the lower slopes are carpeted with wild flowers.

Summer Fair

The late Summer is full of festivals, fireworks and fairs to be enjoyed in the warm evening air.

And the Autumn shows off it's beautiful colours under deep blue skies. There are concerts and traditional crafts and tours to make as the weather cools.

Autumn Colours

Winter comes late and the snow changes and softens the contours of the mountains, and the air is crisp and dry like champagne.

Please look through rest of the site. All the photographs in the text can be seen in the Photo Album section in a larger size. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything more you wish to know.

A warm welcome awaits you.

To the Menu | Go to Guest Rooms and Rates: Both bedrooms

Guest Rooms and Rates

Gallery

See larger versions of all photos in the album.

larger bedroom

en-suite bathroom

second bedroom

private bathroom

Both bedrooms

can have either two twin beds or one double.

The larger bedroom

has a window facing the south west and French doors leading outside to a small balcony with a table and two folding chairs. There is a small dressing area and an en-suite bathroom.

The second bedroom

has a large window facing west and its own private bathroom. Both rooms have generous built-in wardrobes with hanging space and shelves; there are two drawers in each bedside table and two chairs per room. Each room has big radiators and cooling fans for the summer. All windows have light preventing roller blinds; voile curtains to keep the sun out, as well as the normal type curtains.

Each person has two main pillows and a small one. Twin beds have large duvets as do the double beds. Extra pillows are available on request and both bedrooms have extra blankets in the top of the cupboards. For anyone who really feels the cold, hot water bottles, electric blankets and small portable electric radiators can be provided.

Each bathroom

has a good sized radiator; large and well lit mirrors; two hand wash basins with storage beneath; bath with thermostatically controlled taps for the bath water and the shower; two windows in each bathroom and of course both have a lavatory.

Magnifying mirrors are provided and hair dryers are available on request. Emergency toothbrushes, razors etc., also available in case of lost luggage!

There are plenty of towels and more on demand - also towels for swimming or sunbathing.

On the landing

there is a kettle and a good selection of tisanes, teas and coffee - as well as tin of biscuits. This is complimentary and you are invited to help yourself at any time.

Prices:

€70 the room per night inclusive of breakfast.

To the Menu | Go to The House: The house

The House

Gallery

entrance hall

stairs lead up

breakfast corner

kitchen

The house

is on three floors.

Road level:

There is road side parking inside a white line directly outside the house.

The garage

holds at least three cars depending on size and height. There is also a car park about 50 metres down the road for camper-vans etc. There is no charge for any of these parking facilities.

The entrance hall

has a large table full of leaflets about Andorra and the adjoining countries of France and Spain. There is also a choice of books and magazines.

A small laundry room

is adjacent to the inner hall, with washing machines and a dryer together with an ironing board and iron. These are available to guests.

Stairs

lead up to the terrace level. There is a hall with double doors leading left to a dining area; right to a card table and chairs; and ahead to a sitting space with living gas fire. There are plenty of games, more books, DVDs/videos, CDs, a large screen TV with lots of channels. All the sofas and arm chairs recline.

There is a door to the terrace.

The hall

has a door onto the terrace and double doors leading to the kitchen which has a small breakfast corner and a TV as well as an exit to the terrace.

A buffet breakfast

is served between 8.30am and 10.00am in the dining room or the kitchen or on the terrace. This consists of freshly squeezed orange juice, cereals, fresh bread/toast & croissants, butter, jams, honey & marmalade, hard boiled egg, ham & cheese, pastries, cake and fresh fruit. A choice of hot drinks include chocolate, coffee, teas and tisanes. The cost of breakfast is included in the room rate

Red and white wine, Spanish Cava and some beers

are available -(honesty bar).

Free Internet connection.

The house has a Wi-Fi router connected to a Digital Subscriber Line. If you bring with you a suitably enabled device which implements WPA shared key encryption you may use it on the network free of charge.

To the Menu | Go to The Terrace and the Views:

Activities

Cultural:

There are many cultural activities going on in Andorra. Art exhibitions, classical and pop concerts, fairs and festivals.

Some pipers

Exhibitions and concerts are not usually advertised until a few days before the event so it is best to ask when you arrive for up-to-date information about what's on. There are a few annual events which are mentioned below.

During the summer each town and village celebrates a 'Festa Major' which is 2 or 3 days of holiday that feature Balls, discos and, often, free food. There is a Festa somewhere almost every week from June to September.

Mid July: Escaldes Jazz Week

Various concerts both indoors and out. Usually featuring local artists.

August: Ordino Bagpipe Festival

Not only the Scottish play bagpipes. This event brings together players from around the world. Very noisy.

October: International Festival of Narciso Yepes

Held in homage to the great classical guitarist who instigated it, this festival offers concerts covering many music genres.

To the Menu | Go to How to get here: Internet:

How to get here

Gallery

large sign

Cami de les Gravades

The house

Internet:

Enter the Michelin web site and you find Michelin Maps. Enter Andorra in the drop down country list. Put Aldosa in address; La Massana in city and AD400 in postal code, then press search. The house is where Cami de les Gravades (not a road suitable to vehicles) meets the Carretera de L’Aldosa. By using Google maps, type in the top line L‘Aldosa, La Massana, Andorra and you will get a similar map.

Entering Andorra from the South:

After customs and Passport control the first town is Sant Julià de Lòria. Watch the signs carefully on the road to the capital Andorra La Vella, you want La Massana. Go through La Massana, taking the road to Ordino. Just passed an Elf garage and a hotel/restaurant called La Gaspa, turn off the road to your right to L’Aldosa and Anyos. Go up the hill and keep on the main road through the village in the direction of Anyos. There is a road sign saying KM 1 on the right, just after the Hotel Bisset on the left and restaurant Casa No No on the right. The road will dip slightly and bends to the left. The house is on the roadside on the left. Directly opposite is a tarmac patch which is the Cami de Les Gravades. There is a large sign saying so!

Entering Andorra from the North:

Be prepared to stop at Customs near to Andorra. The first town is Pas de la Casa. You can avoid the town by going through a toll tunnel (turn right at the first roundabout before the town – there is a charge on exiting). You will pass through Soldeu, Canillo and Encamp. Take the signs to Andorra la Vella and La Massana.

By road through France:

Michelin has options so that you can customise your travel routes, using either miles or kilometres and gives ideas on stopovers and hotels. On both web sites, go to directions. Enter your departure and arrival addresses. A print out of both an itinerary and a map/s could be useful on the journey. At Toulouse, choose direction Foix. Pass Ax les Thermes to Pas de La Casa.

By road from Barcelona:

From Barcelona Airport, choose the A2 (not the AP2) and head initially to Lleida (Lerida), turn off to Calaf C1412 (Junction 545). These roads are much better than shown on the maps. There should be plenty of signs for Ponts (Pons). Turn to the right in Ponts, C14 direction La Seu d’Urgell, and then into Andorra. You can also go on the motorways via Manresa, you have to pay tolls now and then. You go via Berga and Bagà and then through the Cadi Tunnel (another toll). Take the signs again to La Seu d’Urgell, arriving there from the east. All routes will take a minimum of two and a half hours.

By Train:

Eurostar makes London to Paris easy. You arrive at the Gare du Nord. Leave yourself enough time to get to the Gare Austerlitz. There is an overnight train (The Pireneo Express) which leaves most evenings about 8.15pm for l'Hospitalet près l'Andorre. A bus meets the train which arrives at about 7.15am and delivers you into Andorra la Vella. A word of warning. Make sure that you are on the right part of the train that goes to L’Hospitalet près l'Andorre as it divides at various stops during the night.

By Air:

Airports include Toulouse, Barcelona, Carcassonne, Perpignan, Girona and Reus. Most of these are served by cut price carriers as well as scheduled airlines. In many cases, public transport (coaches) run a regular service to Andorra from the airports, depending on the season. www.andorrabybus is a useful site. There is a local travel agent in La Massana who can book seats for you and who are very helpful and speak English (www.servissimviatges.com). Car hire is available from most of these airports, but it would be wise to book in advance. Private taxis can be arranged.

By Motor-rail:

There are services from the UK to Toulouse including the Channel Tunnel. There is a train with car wagons from Paris to Toulouse.

By Car:

Europe has an excellent network of motorways. For advice on routes and stopovers, please do not hesitate to ask. My preferred Channel crossing is Portsmouth-Caen.

To the Menu | Go to Other Questions Answered: A to C:

Other Questions Answered

A to C:

Many questions are answered in the text on the other pages. If I have not answered your query, please do not hesitate to make contact by either email or telephone.

Airports:

To and from Andorra, Barcelona is now the quickest to get to, with Toulouse second. Each depends on the amount of traffic and the weather. Barcelona connects well to the USA via KLM (Amsterdam) and North West Airlines. Frankfurt and Paris are also useful hubs.

Alarm Clocks:

These can be provided and wake up calls.

Availability:

The calendar on the web site should be up-to-date at all times, but please do not hesitate to email or telephone.

Banks:

La Massana and Ordino both have banks. These close from 1pm to 3pm and Saturday afternoon.

Bar:

There is an honesty system, whereby you make a note of the drinks you have had. There is a fridge on the landing outside the bedrooms for some drinks and milk for the complimentary tea and coffee. There are no minibars in the rooms. Downstairs, guests can find red and white wine, beer, juices and a small selection of spirits. Bottled water (should you prefer it) and ice are also available.

Bus service:

There is a bus service that runs past the house every hour during the day, in both directions. The stop is about a hundred yards from the house. The bus winds around the small villages and goes to La Massana. There are connections to other parts of Andorra. There are also ski buses from La Massana and from Ordino which go up to the slopes of Arcalis. The ski stations of Pal and Arinsal can be accessed from the cable car in La Massana, and by road.

Beauty:

There are various facilities nearby, including manicure, massage, laser, hairdressers and more. Pamper yourself with a day out at the renowned Caldea Spa!

Car:

Is a car necessary? It helps. However, buses and taxis are very reasonable. For a small charge I can often 'ferry' guests locally – ski pick-ups etc..

Check in and out:

Ideally check-out by 11am and check-in after 3pm. However, I can store luggage if guests are not leaving until later in the day.

Currency:

The banks will change most major currencies. Andorra uses the Euro.

To the Menu | Go to Other Questions Answered: D to L:

Other Questions Answered

D to L:

Here are some more answers.

Dress:

Casual is usual. Most places are warm inside during the winter, so a cardigan and an outdoor jacket are normally sufficient. House shoes or slippers for indoors – not high heels as most floors are wooden. Snow boots for outside in the winter. It can be very warm in the middle of the day at any month of the year, but the temperature can drop twenty degrees or more in a short time.

Take layers and be prepared! Bring a swimsuit, the Caldea spa is a must. Skiers must have gloves and sun glasses or goggles.

There are plenty of sports shops. La Massana at the moment has about a dozen. Andorra is not a windy place, but a pull-on hat or head band is useful if you are prone to cold ears and ear ache. Serious walkers will need good shoes with support and ribbed soles. Pine needles and fir cones are slippery. Many walkers use two sticks. A rucksack is useful (I can lend this item). A pack-in-a-bag rain/wind jacket is a handy item. Summer evenings are often warm enough for bare sleeves, but a cardigan or soft fleece may be necessary. Andorra is far south in Europe, nearly on the same latitude as Rome, Italy. The sun is strong, so sunscreen is a must and a sun hat, perhaps. Comfy shoes for shopping and sightseeing. Andorra is a country in the mountains, so there are steps and slopes everywhere.

Dry Cleaning:

There are laundry and dry cleaning services nearby as well as the washer and driers in the house and drying lines outside.

International Club of Andorra:

For an idea of some local activities log on to their web site at www.international-club-andorra.com .

Insurance:

Please do not forget to buy travel insurance to cover medical treatment; lost luggage; expenses incurred in transport delays or strikes; theft and accident. Ski insurance can be bought when buying ski passes and costs about €4 per day.

Internet:

Free Internet access at the house. There are cyber cafes nearby.

Languages:

The official one of the country is Catalan. This house speaks English, French, some Spanish and Catalan.

Length of stay:

There is no minimum, but two days is preferable to just overnighting. Longer stays are welcome and the length of stay depend solely on forthcoming bookings made earlier.

To the Menu | Go to Other Questions Answered: M to Z:

Other Questions Answered

M to Z:

The final set of answers.

Maps:

There are plenty of maps and guide books for guests to borrow during their stay.

Meals:

Breakfast is included. During the summer guests may use the outdoor barbecue. Nearby restaurants can provide piazza/chicken delivery. Packed lunch can also be provided approximately €5.00 per person depending on content. Normally 2 sandwiches, one sardine/cucumber, one tomato/cheese; hard boiled egg; fruit (apple or banana), slice fruit cake; small bottle of water.

Medical:

Andorra has very good facilities including first aid stations at each ski resort including X-rays. Most towns have a health centre and in Andorra la Vella there is a fully equipped modern Hospital. All the patient’s rooms are private with en-suite bathroom and a bed for a family member to stay. There are excellent specialists in many fields. Altitude sickness is fairly rare, but it is possible to suffer some nausea and headache. These symptoms normally pass within 24 hours. A warning, alcoholic measures are large in Andorra and alcohol has a quicker and greater effect than at sea level.

Museums:

Andorra has many, mainly small specialised museums. Nearby Ordino has five. They are all worth a visit.

Music:

The National Auditorium is in Ordino where many of the musical events are held. Andorra generally has plenty of cultural activities throughout the year and there are the local festivals lasting up to four days each. Most of these are held during the summer and early autumn. There are restaurants and bars where live music can be heard depending on the season and there is a jazz club.

Nightlife:

There are various discos and music bars in Anyos, La Massana, Arinsal, Ordino and Erts. Not all are open all year – please ask for details.

Restaurants:

There are three within easy walking distance. And many others nearby. Please ask for further information. There are vegetarians meals available, but there is not a lot of choice. Salads are excellent. Various nearby restaurants offer Chinese, Indian, and other 'speciality' menus, like full English Sunday lunch. Ask for advice! You are unlikely to go hungry.

Shopping:

Shopping in Andorra is good. Perfume is particularly good value. Remember your country’s attitude to the import of goods.

Sports:

See the Activities page.

Tapas bars:

There are some bars that specialise in tapas.

Tours:

It is hard to know where to begin – the possibilities are endless and varied. There are some local coach tours, but for further afield- I normally take guests myself. The fabled town of Carcassonne where Prince of Thieves was filmed, is possible though it is a long day. Toulouse, France’s third city is a lovely, as is the town Perpignan. Nearer is the walled town of Villefranche le Confluent with Fort Liberia above, and Mont Louis, the highest fortified town in France. There are castles, Cathars particularly interesting, churches, retreats, ancient caves, underground rivers, amazing railways, local crafts, fairs and markets, and museums and animal parks near and far. The ancient city of La Seu d’Urgell is half an hour away and a trip there to see the venerable cathedral on market day is a visit that most people enjoy. The history of the whole area of nearby France and Spain is fascinating and goes back many centuries. (The Greek historian Polibio 130 BC mentioned the tribe of the Andosinos in the report of his travels through the Pyrenees). All tours are at extra charge.

Walking:

See Dress and Activities page. There are many paths including two of the Grand Routes of Europe which pass through Andorra. There are picnic sites with barbecue areas and often a water source as well (a Font). An average of more than 300 sunny days a year, make outdoor activities very popular.

To the Menu | Go to Terms and conditions: CANCELLATION POLICY:

Terms and conditions

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Full payment in advance. There are only two rooms, so there is no refund in the event of you cancelling your visit. However there would be no problem in arranging an alternative date for you, subject to availability, at no extra charge, within a maximum of two years. If your booking is replaced by another client/s, then your payment will be refunded. Cancellations usually happen for some unfortunate reason and our attitude is to be as helpful and sympathetic as possible.

Booking details:

We look forward to hearing from you and we can usually confirm your enquiry within a few hours. Please fill in the information required on the Booking form and then click on the SUBMIT button. A thank you message should arrive promptly. Alternatively, if you prefer to email directly either with a booking or a general enquiry, or to phone or fax, please do not hesitate to do so.

You will get a booking confirmation by email, giving details of payment and other instructions.

Your booking will be confirmed when payment is made and funds are cleared.

Restrictions:

No smoking - sorry, there are not enough rooms to have some smoking and some smoke free.

Elderly guests are welcome. However, it was not possible to adapt the house for wheelchair access, nor to add a lift.

No children under 14 years of age.

Sorry, no pets.

For safety and security reasons, only registered guests are allowed on the premises.

Check-in times:

Check-out 11.00 am Check-in after 3.00pm (15.00 hrs)

Both times can be flexible by prior arrangement.

Payments:

Personal Cheques; Travellers Cheques; PayPal; Cash; No direct Credit Card payments.

Please note that bank charges incurred for foreign transfers will be debited to the guest’s account.

By signing in, client/s agree to the correct and decent behaviour of himself/herself and any others accompanying him/her. If any of the above persons do not behave in a responsible way, ie. excessive noise or any disturbance particularly to other guests, the right is reserved by this house to request the client/s to leave without any type of compensation. Any damage or missing articles will be charged for.

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The Guests have their say

Mr & Mrs D. & S. C from California USA

A most wonderful stay. The house [see an image of The house] is in a fabulous location, marvellous views, and Susanna keeps it immaculate.

Very helpful with regard to all activities and restaurants. Andorra is surprisingly pleasant and beautiful. Susanna is a perfect hostess. Wish we could stay longer.

The Ks from Western Australia.

Thank you La Susanna. Wheels spinning, sun setting, snow-man melting. Thank you for ensuring an exciting, comfortable, scenic and relaxing stay.

We may still be sliding down the hill with no chains on our wheels if it weren’t for you.

It’s been a pleasure to meet you and we look forward to next time.

C.T. from Australia

The breakfast was delicious. You were a perfect hostess, very pleasant and more than helpful.

Thank you very much.

K.M from Belgium.

Lovely collation large, clean and comfortable rooms. Excellent! Many thanks

S.R and AM. G from Bilbao, Spain

It was a really nice stay, we love the house. It has amazing views. Susanna was taking care of us every moment.

She was very helpful providing us with information about forecast, roads, tourism in Andorra, shopping….

The room is so cute, very good breakfast, we felt like at home.

A.E. & K.P. from Lisbon, Portugal.

This is a fabulous base from which to see all the delights of Andorra. We enjoyed a warm welcome (very late at night!), a very comfortable stay and the best breakfast in Andorra for fuelling hill-walking.

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