Valencia Mansion Bed & Breakfast, Plaza de la Virgen & Calle de la Hierba 6, 46003 Valencia, Valencia, Spain

 Innkeeper: Matt Sun
 Website: http://www.valenciamansion.com
 Rates per room start from: 60 EUR

 Breakfast type: full breakfast
 Breakfast is served: in the dining room

Valencia Mansion is a charming sunlit bed and breakfast in the historic center of Valencia with the temptations of Barrio del Carmen virtually at its doorstep. It occupies a beautiful Victorian townhouse with lovely views from its terraces. The interior is a fine blend of old times charm and modern facilities. Valencia Mansion Bed & Breakfast has three beautifully appointed rooms with high ceilings and original stucco patterns. Every room has a window overlooking a quiet patio, an antique cabinet, table with chairs. There are also two modern bathrooms for guests. This hospitable B&B in Valencia boasts a comfy guest's lounge with TV set and Wi-Fi internet.

General amenities

 common dining room

 Wi-Fi internet

 guests' lounge

 located in the center

 gay-friendly

Room amenities

 guests shared bathroom

Nearby amenities/activities

 walking

 swimming

 sun bathing

 biking

 photography

 beaches

 sea

 historic sites

 cultural events

 museums/galleries

 college/university

 wine tasting

 fine dining

 shopping

Payment types

 Cash

Location map

An interview with the innkeeper(s) of Valencia Mansion Bed & Breakfast (03rd of March 2011)

Matt and Kaola

We have been running our bed and breakfast very successfully for over three years now.

Matt and Kaola, , two guys in a relationship for over fifteen years, used to live in the Netherlands, where Kaola had a track record at the Hilton group, later venturing into jewelry design. Matt was a tv-producer for the national broadcasting company RTL, and also worked as an interior design consultant. With a love for Spain with it's sunny beaches, relaxed people and fantastic foods, they decided to 'leave it all behind', and start a new project in Valencia. Matt wanted to move to a small community, where people know each others names, where you chat with the local bakery-owner and friends meet for dinners at community neighborhood squares... Kaola thought te be more comfortable in a vibrant city, with a good cultural offer and top of the line cuisine. It was very difficult at first, but when they researched (and visited) Valencia, the picture was complete. 'Yes, we can have it both ways,' Matt says, 'as Valencia is Spain's third largest city with all one could ever want, but the old historical center is small enough to know your neighbors, and feel like you are actually part of a community'. Looking for an old Victorian home in the very center of Valencia was not as easy as it seemed, but when Kaola and Matt found a 250 square meters city villa with original details like high ornamental ceilings, they fell in love and made the jump to a new life under the sun. After a complete renovation, including the installation of two large modern Porcelanosa bathrooms, the adventure began. 'The good thing about our B & B,' says Kaola, 'is that we only have three comfortable guest rooms, with two large lounge areas for our guests. Being a small bed and breakfast means we can give our guests full attention, something that is very important to us.' As the happy couple have their own living space with own amenities in the same building, it is easy to either entertain guests, or when sensing a need for privacy, move over to their own apartment. 'In this way, we can mingle or have privacy,' all depending of the way we sense our guests' needs and moods.

Within a year of opening, Valencia Mansion Bed and Breakfast has been voted 'The Number One B & B in Valencia', by independent travel review sites like Tripadvisor and Zoover. Also Valencia Mansion has been voted 'Best Bed and Breakfast in Spain' two years in a row now, by America's largest B & B site. 'We are still number one on any review site,' says Matt proudly. Over the years guests not only come back to stay at the Mansion, they send their friends, family and colleges. 'It is the sixty percent repeat or referred visits, that make us very happy, as it is in the end quality that counts'. 'Quality is our concept, and we like to follow it through in every little detail. From the fine bone China dishes and tea-cups, and the best quality Egyptian cotton bedcovers, to a five star Champagne breakfast that has been raved about extensively by former guests writing reviews.' 'You will not find any plastic or anything in your bed and breakfast that has not been chosen with care and love,' Kaola says. 'Antique guilded Napoleon-era mirrors, museum quality original oil paintings, to latest designs and modern art, collected from all over the world make our location an eclectic mix of contemporary and classic ambiance'.

Guest mostly mention the eye for detail, the loveliness of the pieces in the house, the fabulous breakfast, but most of all: the very best excellent location, just 20 steps from the famous and central 'Plaza de la Virgen' in the heart of the historical center, 'Barrio del Carmen'. Also the 'voluntary donation' honesty-bar is a feature one will not encounter in many B & B's. Next to the guest lounge, one finds a very large and well stocked minibar with a large selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Brandy, Vodka, Cognac and perfect wines from local 'Lliria' vineyards for those who like a drink before going out to dinner, to a wide selection of soft drinks and juices, all to be chosen by guests as they are in the mood for. There are no price-lists, no charges and no limits - within reason - to this service. On top of the bar, one finds a ceramic piggy bank, which cannot be seen in or opened - in which guests may leave a contribution they find appropriate. 'We trust our guests,' says Kaola, 'and making extra money on hidden charges is something we find very unethical'. 'Being local has a lot of advantages, as we know the best restaurants (with the best prices) and also the 'tourist traps' that should be avoided. On average, we spend up to two hours in welcoming our guests with the latest tips on restaurants, museums, expositions and main attractions. As more than one person said on Tripadvisor: 'yes, there is a lot of privacy, but still being a guest at Valencia Mansion Bed and Breakfast is like staying with funny and eccentric friends you have never met before'.

Valencia Mansion Bed and Breakfast is situated on the third floor of a Victorian city villa, with original details from more than a century ago. A regal black marble entrance leads you to the elevator which makes you enter the location in less than 6 seconds after you have pressed the button. Entering Valencia Mansion, you will be amazed at the high ornamental ceilings, and the two large en suite sitting rooms, only to be used by guests. Valencia Mansion boasts two brand new modern Porelanosa-design bathrooms, and three comfortable double guest rooms. The three charming double guest rooms are not 'large', nor do they have en-suite bathrooms, as this is impossible to realise in a building with a 'hundred year old'-charm. As guests are welcome in two lounge-rooms, with sunny balconies overlooking a Roman church and picturesque street, there is no need to feel cramped. As Valencia Mansion has three guest rooms and two bathrooms, we cannot guarantee a 100 % private bathoom, unless your party consists of four people or more. Bathrooms are cleaned three times a day. Breakfast is served in the formal dining room, overlooking the heart of the historical center. In the breakfast-room, guest will also find tea making facilities to their convenience. The tea selection includes Tetleys, Lapsang Souchong, Herbal teas, Mint, Rooibos, and a selection of Indian and Britsh teas. The guest lounge room, also with a sunny terrace, has more than eighty books on art, design and Spain, and a large flat screen TV with 130 cable channels, to be used in moderation. Who needs to watch tv with these spectacular views, a good bottle of wine and an excellent collection of coffetable-books, as well as a very good library selection of serious literature and the latest bestsellers? The overall atmosphere of Valencia Mansion has been described on Tripadvisor as 'elegant', 'grand', 'quirky', 'extravagant' and 'comfy'. Maybe it is time to come and see for yourself how you would describe the mix of well made design, original art and period pieces? The (included) breakfast at Valencia Mansion is for many guests the highlight of the day. Fresh hot filter-coffee, milk, juice, spring-water and unlimited dry Cava Champagne. Typical local Serrano ham, prime salami, assorted cheeses (Local Manchego, French Brie, French Camenbert, Dutch Gouda), individual Greek Danone yoghurts, four different organic sweet jams, fresh whole wheat and white baquettes (warm from the local bakery's oven) flaky warm croissants, fresh pastries and on some days: a special home made surprise! Also Kelloggs Cornflakes, Sugary cereals and fresh Granola with regular or low fat milk. Fresh fruits will include two of the following: Strawberries, Melon, Pineapple, Kiwi, depending on the season.

Valencia Mansion Bed and Breakfast has three guest rooms, each suitable for two people. In some cases, an extra futon-bed could be added in one of the three rooms. The maximum capacity is seven guests. Baby-cots are unavailable.

Room 'Virgen' has two brand new box-spring hotel-beds, apart or as one. (90 cm and 90 cm wide). Room 'Reina' has a brand new double bed, or as they say in Spain: 'matrimonio'. (150 cm wide). The larger 'Master Bedroom' also has two new boxspring hotel-beds, apart or as one. In certain conditions, an extra futon-floorbed may be added in this room. While we try to accommodate our guests' wishes, it might not be possible to reserve a specific room. A preference however will be noted, and we will do our best - but not guarantee - a specific room. All rooms are furnished with an antique cabinet, a table, and a chair. All three guest rooms are located at the inside of the house, overlooking a small private patio. For great views, be our guest to relax in one of our lounge rooms, for a good and quiet night sleep (difficult to find in Valencia!) retreat to your private silent bedroom. Owners do not share the house and it's amenities , as they have their private quarters in the same building.

As Valencia Mansion is a traditional bed and breakfast, there are no in-room facilities. In every guest room there will be a complementary (ever empty) bottle of 'Aqua de Chovar' spring-water. We welcome our guests to share stories and travel tips in one of the two communal guest-lounges. Valencia Mansion offers an extended mini-bar to it's guests at voluntary contribution, honesty-bar style. Also we offer excellent tea-making facilities with a wide selection of teas, a large flatscreen cable t.v. with 120 channels, and a wide selection of coffee-table books, literature and bestsellers in a variety of languages. Valencia Mansion tries to be as sustainable as possible. Even though every room is fitted out with fans, we do not believe in (nor offer) air-conditioning. All rooms have windows for that enticing sea-breeze. We do offer a salon quality blowdryer, but no ironing facilities, as we do not believe in ironing. One should better use the time spent ironing by having a glass of wine on a sunny square. Bathrooms are fitted out with quality soaps and body-lotions, 'Tresemme'-salon shampoos and conditioners. Valencia Mansion has free WIFI for your laptop in the entire house, and you could borrow our Mac or PC to check your e-mails after breakfast. Please note we strongly believe a fun part of staying in a bed and breakfast, is interacting with other guests during our award winning breakfast. Breakfast is served communal at 09.00 hrs a.m. We cannot serve breakfast after 11.00 hrs or before 09.00 hrs.

Room Virgen has an oil painting of a young boy, and the purples and blues of this locally made work of art make me very happy. Another advantage of room Virgen, is that it is only three steps from the minibar and one of the two bathrooms. This would surely be my favorite 'we have been together forever'-room, as the double bed consists of two singles together, Room Reina has a handmade cabinet that is more than 160 years old, and a large mirror by the double 'matrimonio'-bed. This room would surely by my favorite 'couples' room. Room 'Master-bedroom' is a bit larger than the other two rooms, but I especially like the naive oil painting of people skating on ice above the bed. The room is at the back of the house, but one might hear owners prepare the nine o'clock breakfast around eight. This room would be my favorite ' extra bed for kid'-room.

The room rate includes everything. From the Cava Champagne upon the greeting to the daily 5 star quality breakfast, wifi, tea making facilities and voluntary minibar to the salon shampoos and lotions in the bathrooms. 'All you can eat'-fresh fluffy towels and two daily maid service. There are no hidden costs, all is inclusive of everything, minibar is at voluntary contribution, within reason. Valencia Mansion has no private parking. The secure and safe garage under Plaza de la Reina is at a three minute walk. Also, we know some public parking spaces, free, at a ten minute walk.

Would you book a room for eight nights, your last night is free of any charges and complimentary. During the months of December and January, Valencia Mansion Bed and Breakfast is closed. (Even though our lifestyle is perfect, we also need to recharge by ourselves.) Would you be interested to rent the entire house, please inform for possibilities.

We offer an organic breakfast, with a love for local products. The (included) breakfast at Valencia Mansion is for many guests the highlight of the day. Fresh hot filter-coffee, milk, juice, spring-water and unlimited dry Cava Champagne. Typical local Serrano ham, prime salami, assorted cheeses (Local Manchego, French Brie, French Camenbert, Dutch Gouda), individual Greek Danone yoghurts, four different organic sweet jams, fresh whole wheat and white baquettes (warm from the local bakery's oven) flaky warm croissants, fresh pastries and on some days: a special home made surprise! Also Kelloggs Cornflakes, Sugary cereals and fresh Granola with regular or low fat milk. Fresh fruits will include two of the following: Strawberries, Melon, Pineapple, Kiwi, depending on the season. Any special request will be considered when mentioned in advance.

Breakfast is served in the communal breakfast-room, starting at 09.00 hrs. We like to promote the 'getting to know your fellow travelers' -breakfast and therefore do not offer 'extra early' or 'extra late' breakfasts. Breakfast at Valencia Mansion is quite a ritual, served from our grandmothers' fine bone China, this breakfast starts at nine, and can last to ten, eleven, or even twelve!

We could substitute any breakfast-food for a Vegan alternative at your prior request, at no extra charge.

In Valencia, one has a warm and solid lunch between 14.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs. Any restaurant will offer a great 'Menu del dia' - deal around 12 euro. Meals typically include a choice of soup, salad or veggie-dish, main course, desert, with drink and coffee included. Tapas can be had all day, and people in Valencia will not sit down to dinner before 22.00 hrs. Due to the plethora of excellent (and VERY inexpensive restaurants), Valencia Mansion has chosen not to serve lunches, nor dinners. All Valencia's best restaurants are within a 2 to 8 minute walk from your B & B. (Having said that, when you are hungry at a certain time (and do not want to go out) we don't mind making you a snack or sandwich at o charge).

With a plethora of high quality and inexpensive restaurants around the corner, we do not offer any kitchen facilities, except for the guests' tea making facilities in one of the two lounge areas.

At Valencia Mansion we feature many antiques and design-pieces. We have recently discovered Spanish designer Jaime Haydon, who has made museum pieces for Valencia's LLADRO ceramics, now to be enjoyed in our house. Some of our art-books around the house have very explicit photography. If you are sure your youngster fits in with this ambience, we will take your word for it and welcome your children.

Valencia Mansion does not accept pets.

Valencia Mansion is a non-smoking bed and breakfast. Inside. We do welcome smokers to smoke on one of our sunny balconies, with the door closed. We are not anti-smoke, but as a courtesy to other guests we invite our smoking guests to light up on one of our sunny balconies.

Valencia Mansion has no private parking, as one did not have cars in Roman times. We are on the oldest street in Valencia. The secure and safe garage under Plaza de la Reina is at a three minute walk. Also, we know some safe public parking spaces, free, at a ten minute walk.

Valencia Mansion is accesible to disabled guests. The location is all on one level, reached by elevator with large ramp on entree. There are no specially adapted features in the two bathrooms. Some wheelchairs easily fit in the elevator. How ever, some don't. Please inform about exact measurements.

Emergency excit by means of door on the patio to other building.

Your approximate arrival time is very important to us, as we have no staff to welcome you. We prefer guests to check in after 14.00 hrs, so we can be sure your room is sparkling. However, arriving earlier is no problem, as long as we know in advance. The cava will be cold and the coffee will be hot. Also, late check ins are no problem at all. Check out is at noon, as we would like to prepare the room for possible new guests. Leaving your luggage for pick up later in the day is not a problem whatsoever.

For some reason, people that arrive by car and have reserved for one night often don't show up. So, if you plan to arrive by car, a minimum of two nights stay is required. For guests flying into Valencia (with flight-number) there is no minimum stay. How ever, we do have a maximum stay of ten nights. This is because after ten days, we might get bored with each other. And nobody would like that.

Please request a room by email only. Please be so kind to include your days of travel, weather your days are flexible or not, number of people, names of all guests, home-adrress and (mobile) phone-number. We prefer your initial contact by email only, and we will than write you about our availability etc. If it is possible to use a non-free e-mail address ('company' or 'edu' preferred over hotmail or yahoo) we would appreciate it.

If you cancel your reservation - at any time - we ask you to pay us the contribution for one night. This also goes for no-shows. If you choose to stay with us a next time, this night will be subtracted from your contribution.

Valencia Mansion Bed & Breakfast is a very small location with only three rooms, therefore we do not accept any cheques nor credit cards. We ask our guests to settle their contribution after their first breakfast.

Valencia Mansion is a bed and breakfast. It is not a hotel. We enjoy meeting new people from all over the world, and our aim is to receive guests that are in the mood to meet new people over breakfast too. At our bed and breakfast, you will enjoy a lot of privacy, but if on your trip you are not open to meet our other guests, it might be more appropriate to book a hotel. Valencia has some excellent hotels with en-suite bathrooms and 100 % privacy. Do inform for recommendations. We are open-minded and try to create an eclectic mix of people at our house. Valencia Mansion has a quiet, relaxed and free ambiance. Please help us to sustain this feeling.

Valencia is Spain's third biggest city, it is very modern, but still has the 'local small town charm' that has been lost in Madrid or Barcelona. (To our opinion). The modern Calatrava buildings are a must see, an opera, an aquarim, a science museum. You will experience the feeling of being on another planet. Our favorite museums are the IVAM modern art museum and the MUVIN illustration museum, but many guests also like the classical art at Museo Bellas Artes. From the historical center it is a 15 minute tram-trolley ride to the wide boulevard and white beaches of Malvarossa-beach, with restaurants, bars and great massages offered on the beach. For those interested in nature, Valencia has a great park (used to be the Turia-river) as a big lung, to be entered at the end of our street all the way to the harbor and beach area. Many of our guests rent bikes (10 euro a day) to explore this bike-friendly city. Enjoy the bohemian restaurants at Barrio del Carmen, or have some sushi with 'the ladies who lunch' at the mercado Colon district. From Zara to Loewe, from El Corte Ingles to Mango, shopping is one big feast in Valencia. Don't forget the local Mercado Colon market. The Unesco listed La Lonja Silk exchange is one of the oldest buildings. Valencia Mansion Bed and Breakfast is located just next to the most central Plaza de la Virgen, where it's cathedral boasts exciting views and the only Vatican authenticated Holy Grail. Please let us tell you about our favorite restaurants, bars, art-venues and other hot spots. Valencia has an excellent nature reserve area (Albufera) and for those who enjoy an overall tan: some great clothing optional naturist beaches. (El Saler, Pinedo).

A taxi from the airport to Valencia Mansion will be around 18 euro, it takes about 15 minutes. The clean and safe metro from the airport will take you to XATIVA station in the city (1.70), it takes about 30 minutes. From XATIVA (which is the same as main train station El NORTE), it is one straight easy 15 minute walk to the historical center where you will fid your B & B Valencia Mansion. (From Plaza Ayuntamiento to Plaza Reina, From Plaza Reina to Plaza Virgen.).

For people who have never stayed at a bed and breakfast before, we recommend to google the Wikipedia-page for 'Bed and Breakfast'. This article features some very good general descriptions, but also shows some good university studies of 'who the general 'B & B' guest' actually is. When reading this article, you will find Valencia Mansion Bed and Breakfast mentioned in an article from TIME MAGAZINE.If you need 100 % privacy, we recommend you to book a hotel. If you like your private bedroom, but are open to converse with other people during breakfast, we recommend you to book a B & B. Our guests in general tend to be well educated, interested in culture and good food. One morning you may converse with two nurses from Australia, the next day it might be a retired Belgian couple on their wedding anniversary, or a young American couple on their honeymoon. Staying at a bed and breakfast is like tapping in to some body else's life. When you are a guest at Valencia Mansion Bed and Breakfast, you will know what it feels like to live in a central Victorian period villa, surrounded by books, art and stimulating design. We all should have the chance to be Queen (or King) for a few days, don't we?

AWARDS: Valencia Mansion Bed and Breakfast has a 100% recommendation 'would stay again' on Trip Advisor. Valencia Mansion Bed and Breakfast has been voted 'best B & B in Valencia' for three years now on Trip Advisor. Valencia Mansion has been voted 'Best Bed and Breakfast in Spain' for two years now. Valencia Mansion Bed and Breakfast has featured in Time Life Magazine and ELLE-Belgium. More than half of our reservations are made by people who stayed before, their family, or their friends.

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