This small but wonderfully run hotel ticked all our boxes.

For our winter stay, booked in August, we searched for somewhere small and cosy, in the countryside but close to the bigger coastal towns that we knew would be open during the festive season.

We had originally planned to walk the local trails and hire mountain bikes but unfortunately, due to a broken metatarsal only 2 weeks before our trip, walking any distance (especially on uneven ground) was off the menu.

We were warmly welcomed by Roberto and enjoyed wonderful hospitality throughout our stay. The hotel is beautifully furnished and decorated and everywhere is spotlessly clean. We loved the sitting room (with wood burning stove) which was a joy to spend time in reading and enjoying a drink in the evenings. The food was exceptionally good. The ladies who served breakfast and cleaned the rooms were charming, helpful and kind.

This is the perfect place to get away from everything. Quiet and peaceful yet only a short distance from Biar, which even on Christmas Day had a few places open for food and or something to drink,

The cottage in the garden is lovely. We had stayed inside the hotel for the first few days as the cottage had already been booked. Both were spotlessly clean, comfortable and warm. We came back one day to find all our belongings had been moved across to the cottage as if by magic.

We had requested extra pillows, a hairdryer and kettle prior to our arrival and everything was provided with no problem.

At this time of year, over Christmas, the local towns and villages were understandably quiet but we had all day to explore and on the days where the hills around us were in the clouds, we headed to Benidorm, Villajoyosa, Santa Pola and Los Arenales (a good spot for lunch, close to Alicante airport) for warmth and flat ground.

We were always glad to return to the peace and cosiness of Mas Fontanelles. When not eating at the hotel, Biar, only 4 kilometres away, proved very convenient for dinner.

Even with the Euro so strong against the Pound, this hotel and indeed this whole region represents excellent value for money.

We'd love to return in the summer as there is a swimming pool here and clearly more outdoor activities nearby to be enjoyed.

For for a winter break (our only experience to date) this is highly recommended. Much hard work and love has been put into making Mas Fontanelles the gem that it is.

We loved our time at Mas Fontanelles and send our best wishes and many thanks to Roberto, Isabel, their family and all the staff.

Stayed at Mas Fontanelles for one night in September - generally speaking a very pleasant experience. Although it's only 30-45 minutes drive away from the Costa Blanca, it feels a world away. The hotel is simply but very tastefully decorated and the pool is great (although there is a some building work going on in the hotel grounds).

The only downside was the service which was hit and miss (the male owner is not particularly welcoming). The 1.50 euro charge to "rent" each towel for the swimming pool is also completely ridiculous (especially as we not made of it when we borrowed them).

Despite this, it's a pretty good deal for B&B for 75 euros.

Mas Fontanelles also has a well-regarded restaurant which serves an evening menu for 20 euros (excl. drinks). It's ok but not great value - definitely worth driving 5 mins into Biar to eat on the main square.