San Sebastián house rental with kids
 

Hi!
Just in the preliminary stages of planning a week long trip to San Sebastián with another family, and wondered if anyone could recommend a location for us to situate ourselves in. We will be 4 adults, 4 kids-3, 5 year olds and an 8 year old.
My initial thought says to look for a beach front property that is within walking distance to the great bars/restaurants in town; best of both worlds.
The la concha beach looks lovely, and I think is ideal for walking to get food, but it looks very, very busy. I read about two other beaches, and wondered if they would be a better suited option for us?
Any input would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Tanya

Look at www.maribelsguides.com, San Sebastian, for some really excellent help.

You might consider Villa Ravel, which is a large beach front property as close to La Concha as it gets, just behind the Hotel Niza. And a supermarket is within a short walk.

It sleeps 9 and an extra 40 sq meter space with bath can be added to sleep a total of 12. We've used it in the past for a family of 8, but it gets booked very quickly for high season. The owner is great to deal with.

http://www.donostihome.com

For other rental properties we've also used Feel Free Rentals and Rentals Collection, but most are apartments rather than homes/villas.

http://www.rentalscollection.com/en/

http://www.feelfreerentals.com

We've rented within a block of Ondarreta beach, which is a family-friendly beach and also a very scenic but quieter location. Quick bus access to the Old Quarter entrance at Boulevard and a large Super Amara supermarket within a short walk.

Hey, Robert - You got a facelift, going from 2533 to 2016 ! Nevertheless, you are still giving great info. Thanks from everyone here.

Yep, a long needed face lift!

We prefer to use Feel Free Rentals over Rentals Collection. Feel Free properties are also on www.homeaway.com.

The properties near Ondarreta beach are in the rather aristocratic neighborhood of Antiguo with some very interesting turn-of-the-century Basque mansions.
It's a real upmarket residential neighborhood not overwhelmed with tourists, with lots of bakeries, places for breakfast, bars (Bodega Donostiarra), our favorite Vinoteca Bernardina, the city's top wine/gastro bar.
Kids can swim in a supervised pool on the beach, take the red funicular up to Monte Igueldo, where there are great views and a little amusement park. It's also close to the Real Club Tennis San Sebastian and the gardens of Miramar Palace.

We spent many, many summers staying near La Concha and now have moved to quieter Ondarreta-Antiguo. But it's a 25-minute walk (one of Europe's prettiest) along the Paseo de la Concha to the Old Quarter. But the bus gets you there in minutes.

Ondarreta is the "family beach" and just in the extension of the more crowded La Concha beach. We have stayed out here many times, and without kids. A great part of town, as Robert says. http://www.sansebastian.travel/en/ondarreta-beach/

About the area: http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...eta-igueldo-en

Have had only good experiences with Rentals Collection: http://www.rentalscollection.com/en/

This villa is 50 meters from the La Concha beach, 5-10 minutes walk to Ondarreta beach and 10 minutes walk to the Parte vieja/Old town. And spectacular views from the roof top terrace: http://www.friendlyrentals.com/en/ap...tment-77-5.htm

The Villa Buda marketed by Friendly Rentals is actually the Villa Ravel that I referenced above--different photos on the FR website but the same property. It sits 25 meters from La Concha beach.

Wow, thank you so much for the replies. I'm so excited now! Ondretta sounds like a good spot! Off to look at the links you all posted now!
Thank you again.

Thank you again for all the information that you all gave me... I am still not quite finding what would be ideal, and wondered if anyone has any specifics that they can provide.

Properties like what Robert2016 speaks of are exactly what we are looking for. Ideally, a house rental (not apartment) with outdoor space... and, preferably a pool. A house with 3 or 4 bedrooms would work best. We would love waterfront so we can have the luxury of beach for the kids too, but a close enough walk would be good. And... we are looking forward to the food in Basque region so stumbling distance to some great spots to eat would be great.

I have emailed Maribel... but haven't heard back.

I look forward to more information to research from you very knowledgable lot! Thanks in advance,
Tanya

<we are looking forward to the food in Basque region so stumbling distance to some great spots to eat would be great.>

Fabulous pintxos bars and restaurants all around town, and you will never have to walk much to find a great place from any house/apartment close to family friendly Ondarreta beach and the upscale Ondarreta area, the close by and extremely popular La Concha beach or from the Zurriola beach, popular with surfers and young people, just across the city river Urumea in the very local atmosphere Gros district.

San Sebastián is small and very walkable, and the three city beaches are close to eachother. Ondarreta borders La Concha, and from the eastern end of La Concha, it's a five minutes walk to the start of Zurriola.

See if local girl Jone Karres Azurmendi can help you. She was in charge of a fabulous business and leisure weekend for our group of Basques, Spanish, Norwegians etc etc a few years ago, extremely knowledgeable, she knows San Sebastián and the Basque Country better than anyone. Grew up in San Sebastián, educated sociologist in Germany, later working as both a filmmaker and guide. Have never learnt so much about San Sebastián and the Basque Country than during some hours conversation with Jone back in 2008, and I've visited almost every year since the late 1980's: http://www.adorebasque.com/about-us/