Apartamentos Rurales El Capricho de Carrio, a calm stay in Asturias
El Capricho de Carrio is a set of rural apartments in the Cantil district of Pola de Laviana, in Asturias. They have a fully equipped kitchen and a very quiet natural setting. They suit couples, families and travellers with dogs who want calm and walking, though it is worth knowing what the less positive reviews say.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Apartamentos Rurales El Capricho De Carrio.
Where El Capricho de Carrio is and how to get there
The apartments are in the Cantil district of Pola de Laviana, in Asturias. It is a rural setting, with green mountains around it according to several guests, and with those distances the normal way to get around is by car.
The property's description gives useful reference points. La Casa del Agua is 12 km away, the Museo de la Sidra 23 km, the main squares of Oviedo around 38 km and Asturias Airport 71 km. From there you can also reach walking routes and nearby ski resorts. In other words, a quiet base with the city within a manageable distance.
What the apartments are like
Each apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, with fridge, coffee maker and dining area, and a private bathroom with shower. There is free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and living areas. They are designed for independent stays, as a couple or as a family.
Guests describe them as cosy, with comfortable beds and a style somewhere between modern and rustic. One calls them small but complete, and another notes the house keeps the charm of a genuine Asturian home. One review adds, as a practical detail, that the shower has good water pressure.
What guests say about El Capricho de Carrio
With a 4.4 on Google from 58 reviews, most of them are five-star. These are the patterns that come up most often.
- The hosts' welcome. Many guests appreciate how friendly they are, how they recommend what to see and where to eat, and one says they sorted out an unexpected problem without any fuss.
- The calm and the surroundings. Guests talk about nature everywhere, green mountains, clean air and a peace that rubs off on you.
- Dogs. Several guests are grateful that pets are allowed, and one says regardless of size or breed. Another mentions that a deposit is taken.
- Cleanliness and equipment. Most find the apartments very clean and with everything needed in the kitchen.
There are happy families too: one says their young daughter enjoyed it a lot, and someone who stayed for work says they would go back. That gives me the impression of a versatile place, beyond holidays.
What to know before booking
Not everything is praise. Some low ratings criticise the cleanliness and maintenance of one particular apartment, and another mentions very worn crockery and appliances.
Another review notes there is no heating apart from a stove that is not enough for the size of the apartment, something to bear in mind if you go in a cold season. And one guest describes a disagreement over a breakfast they had booked: according to them, you had to take the car to get breakfast, and the argument ended badly. I would ask clearly what the rate includes and where breakfast can be had before booking.
| The best bits | What to know |
|---|---|
| Friendly, close hosts | One review criticises the cleanliness of an apartment |
| Natural setting and lots of calm | You need a car for almost everything |
| Equipped kitchen and private bathroom | Worn crockery and small apartments, according to some |
| Dogs are allowed | Heating is limited, just one stove in one review |
Who it suits and who it doesn't
I would choose it for a quiet nature escape, especially with a dog, because several guests stress how well they are welcomed. I also see it working for couples and families who want to cook for themselves and go out walking.
- Couples. It suits them for the calm, the cosy style and the self-catering kitchen.
- Families. It works, but mind the size, as some guests talk about small apartments.
- Travellers with dogs. This is probably its strongest point.
I would not recommend it if you are looking for nightlife, hotel-style services or strong heating in winter. Nor if you would rather walk everywhere.
What to do around Pola de Laviana
From Pola de Laviana you have walking routes and nearby ski resorts, as well as La Casa del Agua and the Museo de la Sidra. Several guests speak fondly of the cider and the home-cooked food of the area, and the hosts tend to give good recommendations.
If you want to combine nature with a city, you could look at Casa Oviedo Centro, in Oviedo, or Hotel y Apartamentos Cuevas del Mar, in Nueva, two other places to stay in Asturias.
My final verdict: El Capricho de Carrio wins on the hosts and the peace of its setting, and loses points when cleanliness or equipment slip. It is worth booking with that in mind.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
