House

El Caracol

Lledó, Aragon, Spain

If you visit El Caracol in Matarraña, Spain, in the autonomous region of Aragon, you can look forward to a special kind of nature experience. The property offers an infinity pool and is surrounded by a Mediterranean pine forest. The unique place allows the senses to develop freely. The play of light and the enormous views make it possible to experience nature, linger and take a deep breath. El Caracol is located in the Els Ports Mountains with the majestic Rocas de Benet in the center.

Eve James and her husband designed and built the house themselves in 2015. For this reason, the house has a unique design task: to surprise the senses. They wanted to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and give the guests the opportunity to pause and be still. They discovered the region after visiting Els Ports Natural Park and finding the area very peaceful and falling in love with the unspoiled nature with its history. A small community of artists and artisans, farmers and winegrowers is at home in the Matarraña, which Eve and her husband joined eight years ago. From them they learned sustainable agricultural practices to preserve the forest as well as the olive and almond trees. The two of them live near El Caracol all year round, so they can always be there when new guests arrive to greet them personally.

The broad lines of the architecture lead the way, and the furniture and decoration are low-key and simple in comparison, with custom-made beds made of wood and metal and comfortable lounge sofas. The kitchen's floating countertops are made of concrete and the outdoor dining table is in keeping with the simple use of materials. In El Caracol, every element was tailor-made. Some of the owner couple's early chair designs add character to the bedrooms.


Rooms + Rates

per night
entire housefrom250 €
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Sustainable

ArchitectureThe hosts: in developed the design of the dome with a view to its environmental friendliness, as it merges with the surroundings and blends in perfectly. The dome shape enables a low ratio of material to built-up space. Sustainability was the starting point for all design and material decisions. The hosts used the low-tech approach throughout the house. Since simplicity is the path to well-being for them, they have tried to balance things with it as well as possible. The limestone used comes from a disused quarry on site and was used to build the dry stone masonry that surrounds the outdoor areas. It is the same stone that was used to build the viaduct next to the house that today brings cyclists inside through the mountains to the medieval town of Tortosa in the Ebro Valley 50 kilometers below. The hosts work with local artisans to decorate the house with ceramics and old items woven from esparto grass. Some pieces of furniture have been recycled, such as the outside lampshade that used to be the drum of a washing machine.

FoodThe guests cater for themselves in the fully equipped kitchen. Upon request, a cook can be booked to prepare food for them from 0 kilometers away, i.e. from their own garden, such as virgin olive oil, almonds and all kinds of vegetables. Guests can also use these for independent cooking. The hosts are happy to refer you to restaurants that are committed to local food in the region and serve appropriate dishes. Unchanged, traditional agricultural practices are also used in the area. Wherever possible, local organic products (olive oil, honey, vegetables from the garden in summer) are used.

The hosts support local artists by exhibiting their pictures in the house as a free gallery. You are a member of a local association that promotes regional, small craft businesses.

EnvironmentThe house was built as a passive house and the most economical use of materials possible. The building can be easily heated or cooled depending on the season. The house is built partially underground on the north side for cooling and fully glazed on the south side for warmth, which means that the house maintains a stable temperature all year round. In winter you can also use a wood burner with wood from the forest, which heats the entire room. The house is fully operated with a photovoltaic system that covers the electricity needs. The water is drawn from a well near the two mountain rivers that meet at the foot of the property. Only ecological cleaning agents and treated water are used to irrigate the fruit trees.

Well-BeingA yoga instructor can be booked for a class on the terrace by appointment. Guests can fi nd yoga mats in the accommodation to practice themselves at any time. Guests can also play boules, the balls can also be found in the house. The area offers the opportunity to take various walks through the forest and vineyards. It's also great for biking, horseback riding, fishing, climbing, swimming, canyoning, geocaching, and boating.


Characteristics

  • Unique holiday home nestled in nature on the edge of the Els Ports National Park
  • Designed and built by the owners themselves
  • Unusual, sustainable architecture that creates an open and relaxed atmosphere
  • Own vegetable garden with olives, almonds and various vegetables (depending on the season)
  • Els Ports Park with limestone gorges and river bathing areas as well as well-marked hiking trails
  • Many excursion options in the area: Europe's longest cable car is located near La Fresneda. At the lake near Valderrobres, guests can rent stand-up paddling boards, visit a bird of prey sanctuary in the morning and a medieval castle in the afternoon
  • There are scattered medieval villages nearby, each with a traditional village festival offering individual treasures and handicrafts
  • The soft beaches of the Ebro Delta Nature Park can be reached in 45 minutes by car

Holiday home3 bedroomsOwn cooking facilitiesChildren welcomeWi-Fino disabled accessPoolno pets

Features

  • Holiday home with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms for up to 6 people
  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Circular six meter infinity pool
  • Garden with dining area and pizza oven
  • A cook can be booked on request
  • Yoga can be organized on request (yoga mats on site)
  • Boule balls and lane
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Rooms + Rates

per night
entire housefrom250 €
more

Location + Directions

By car

As the accommodation is relatively secluded and in order to be able to explore the region well, it is recommended to travel by car. A transfer can also be organized on request. From Barcelona it takes just under 3 hours to get to El Caracol (207 km). From Valencia it is also just under 3 hours (237 km), from Saragossa it is a good 2 hours (155 km) and from Madrid it takes a good 5 hours by car (472 km).


Availability