The sabbatical that January was is now complete and the almond blossom is a stunning nudge that it´s time to re open Casa Kisi. The mountain is abundant with the beautiful trees and creates a natural confetti of white petals when the wind blows. Contrary to popular discussion THE MOUNTAIN IS NOT COLD and definitely not this year! we haven’t had our long johns or thermals on once yet! The temperatures reached 24 degrees C in the day in Jan… literally shorts weather and the lowest overnight has been 5 so under the duvet or in front of the log fire and its been cosy and absolutely lush.
BUT thank goodness it is February and I can officially get back to work…. not!
I have decided that long holidays are great but challenging. We closed 30th December to reopen 9th Feb, wooooo 5 long weeks to recharge and relax. Well, 4 because the house needed all the paraphanalia involved with reopening for a new season so we gave ourselves the whole month of January off. Planned to travel, take long lie ins, days out and enjoy our beautiful Casa Rural and hot tub and relax.
We did.... For a week...
and then we couldn’t help ourselves talking about the changes and plans so I started to write the lists. I knew it was becoming an issue when I had a list of the lists I had made and agreed with my assistant that we had to work a few hours a day at least or go mad. We compromised on not getting dressed if we didn’t want to (goblin mode) and chilling with dezza, the now until we open, house dog.
So in the end we went back to work on the 14th January, after a fab few days in our next favourite place to Spain….
Portugal. loves it.
People, food, scenery and rocky beaches with caves. Check out Pestana Hotel and Spa because the the out of season deals are amazing.
We will be going back.
The black mark on the beach is Si.
We spent a few days deciding what we could change first and planned a bit more whilst watching Traitors, Survivor and the Great Pottery Showdown then realising all the tv we wanted to catch up on wasn’t there, the lazy days felt like just that and not in a good way so we started with changing the whole upstairs into an AirBnb apartment that accepts 13yrs +
Lets get this clear…. Casa Kisi is an adults only boutique B&B but we get enquiries all the time for children and we have thought of a way to keep everyone happy. We like kids…. we have 5 of our own between us but we also like adult peace and understand so do many others.
So...
We have the whole upstairs available for booking, minimum 3 days, have converted the snug into a lounge with a kitchenette, and because if you book this (cheaper than booking 2 rooms as shared bathroom ) you essentially have the house so can bring 13+ yrs here. We will put away the alcohol and the life guard on the pool is the parents! Hot tub is only allowed with an adult.
Done, possibly a great idea and some very happy guests due to arrive this year! Airbnb with pool, hot tub and breakfast. But happily co exists with our B&B rooms that when booked does NOT ALLOW the apartment to be booked with children so all our guests wanting adults only, rest assured, it will be !
We are starting to record season 5 of our podcast next week and will be a twist on previous seasons. No surprises we have made a change! We will record on a Monday, film on a Monday therefore available on you tube and upload on a Monday to all our channels, google, apple…blah blah….. We are keeping the same old blah blah we chat about and keeping the same sense of chit chat. Literally have pages of stuff to get started on with Mr Best, not least of which is his non logical brain and the use of his new varifocals. BTW he still hasn’t bought me flowers…. when you know you know! (pod4ep40).
We are currently adapting our new menu for 2024 and finally I have won over the a la carte Mr Best chef of the year way and with him off doing other exciting things I have taken back control of my kitchen and we will offer a homemade menu del dia Casa KiSi style for 20€ per person daily. Vegetarian choice daily, locally sourced non-processed delights with homemade cakes. Talking of cake….. our sensational cream teas are available again. We only have a table daily to enjoy and not over crowd our retreat and the food is all freshly made. Whattsapp me 663234886 and I will happily get the scones baked.
Possibly many more changes to come and I will update accordingly but for now we have a week left of holibobs before our first guests check in and only the dining room and room 1 to paint, the pool and terraces to jet wash, menus to print and argue about and welcome book to update/refresh/renew, pantry and kitchen to deep clean and re stock and… now time to pour another wine whilst my assistant makes homemade chicken korma with homemade naan bread for dinner…
He needs to practice for the new menu del dia…..
