B&B La Rectoria de Sant Miquel de Pineda

This is a cosy small-ish guesthouse in an updated former rectory, adjacent to a beautiful old church, no longer functioning. It's just off a relatively quiet country road, and smack-bang on a disused rail route, now available for cycling and walking. It's about 10 minutes south by car of Garroxta's charming regional centre Olot. We had an upstairs room with comfortable, firm queen bed and roomy bathroom with a large walk-in shower. Modern amenities sit comfortably within the historic structure with gorgeous period details. There's a charming sitting room with the old iron stove and mercifully no TVs/screens to distract from the superb natural and historic setting. Goretti and Roy are charming hosts, and provide wonderful high-quality evening meals for a moderate price with wine available. There are many scenic day trips in this fabulous part of Spain, easily reached from Barcelona or Girona. Absolutely recommended.

All the rave reviews posted here are well-deserved. This is a wonderful place to relax and chill for a few days. I was there to hike the paths around the volcanoes, and this is a perfect location. The building itself is really nice, bedrooms large and very comfortable, and the food is excellent. I particularly recommend Roy's apricot jam. Both Roy and Goretti are very knowledgeable about the area and provide great advice on where to go and what to see. Best of all, though, is just getting to know and converse with Goretti and Roy. Some of the nicest and most welcoming people I've ever met. I can't wait to return.

My wife and I had the best stay in La Rectoria. We lolled about in our very comfortable bedroom (great sheets). Drank some cooling vermouth in the shade of the garden. Ate delicious food cooked by Roy. Swam in the cool of the pool following a very hot walk to the nearby village. It was all perfect! The hosts are super welcoming and generously share their stories of finding this delightful spot. They are also full of knowledge about the local area and enthusiastically support and promote the excellent local food and wine. Just wonderful.

What a magical place. La Rectoria is beautiful, and has been so lovingly and sensitively restored since its days as the priest's house. The pool is secluded and perfect for cooling off in, and I particularly liked the fact that it being salt water instead of chlorinated meant that birds, butterflies and dragonflies could dip down and drink – important when the weather is hot. In terms of nature, La Rectoria is surrounded by birds that are rare or non-existent in the UK, such as hoopoes, serins and golden orioles, and I loved sitting on the terrace with a G&T before dinner, looking out at the distant volcanic slopes and listening to them sing. The food was absolutely delicious – Roy is an incredibly talented chef, so make sure you book in for dinner! Goretti really went out of her way to make me feel welcome and looked-after, which I especially appreciated as a solo traveller. You can walk along a shared foot/cycle path into the village where there are some shops and cafes, and if you don't drive there's a regular bus service into Olot and to other places like Besalú. I loved my four nights at La Rectoria and hope to return.