My friend and I arrived late, so our designated greeter wasn’t there, but a text to Berta sorted that out immediately. Likewise when the late October weather turned cool for a day or so and we didn’t know how to turn on the central heating or couldn’t figure out how to heat the water, I texted Berta and her friend arrived within minutes to solve the problem. Impressive.
If you have Spanish, you'll note some expletives scratched on the lift/elevator door, but that's outside Berta's control, and the neighbours are quiet and friendly - one neighbour helped us with our bags and said to call him if we needed anything.
The apartment itself is modern, clean and comfortable with a very well-equipped kitchen. As the pictures indicate, the master bedroom with its ensuite is top class; the two beds in the second bedroom are not quite as comfortable of course, but I was happy to occupy one as the adjacent bathroom is perfect for someone like myself with restricted mobility. The bath is shallow, has a non-slip bathmat, and has what may have been intended as a towel rail but is sturdy enough to serve as a grab rail, so it was a pleasure to take a shower in comfort and safety – something I can rarely do in hotels. Such attention to detail makes all the difference.
It was delightful to breakfast on the balcony in the sunshine. A new sports centre blocks the frontal view of the sea, but it can be seen either side, and the lovely extensive, sandy and well-kept beach is just around the corner. The sea is clean and safe (there was also some wind surfing at one point, with a marina in the distance), and the hungry are served by a series of on-beach restaurants. El Bobo is recommended, as is a walk on the promenade where it seemed the majority of couples, young and old, were holding hands. The absence of hotels overlooking the beach is refreshing, too. Instead, there are some lovely old buildings and good restaurants. I should also mention the old fashioned, clean and friendly café adjacent to the apartment, Els Carinyets, where on our arrival we had a life-saver, plain but excellent meal of gambitas and bocadillos, with two delicious Alhambra beers, for 11 euros for both of us! We dined there several times, always greeted by the patrona. There are two supermarkets within minutes of the apartment.
Valencia itself is a delightful place, with a lovely old quarter and great public transport – a couple of regular buses stop directly outside the apartment. You get the sense that the public realm is respected and well catered for. Check out the story of the riverbed garden which meanders through the city, which I think illustrates this well.

I don’t think I’ll make it next year, but I’m definitely looking forward to going back for a relaxing, restorative holiday . Thanks, Berta!