Can four friends book the same hosted week? Yes, here's how

Two of you are halfway up the 650 m climb to the Alto de la Guarda above Bárcena Mayor, red-faced and very pleased with yourselves. The other two took the gentler valley route and are already sitting in a village with a coffee, watching griffon vultures ride the air. By seven all four of you are back at Casa Agara, glasses filled at the free bar, swapping stories by the fire with the friends you made on the walk. That is a hosted week for a group of friends: split up by day, meet up for dinner, and come home with even more people in your phone.

The short answer

Yes. Four friends can book onto the same hosted week at Casa Agara, and it is one of the most popular ways to come. You share the week with the other guests: some solo, some couples, some small groups just like yours. Scheduled weeks are booked through Spice Escapes, our exclusive booking partner, and the house sleeps up to 24 guests in 12 bedrooms.

The shared week is the fun part. Dinner each evening is with people you did not arrive with, and many friendships start on the walk and carry on round the fire.

How booking works for four

Each of you books a place on the same dated week, the same way every guest does. When you book, say that you are travelling together and would like rooms close to each other. With 12 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms across the casona, there is plenty of scope to keep four friends close: two twin rooms near each other is the usual arrangement, or one or more of you can take an optional room of your own.

The single-room question

There is no forced single supplement for anyone, whoever you travel with. If two of you are happy to twin-share, that costs nothing extra. If all four want their own room, those are simply optional rooms of your own, priced clearly when you book. See the week's page for the current price.

Every meal and the free bar

This is where a group of friends notices the value quickest. Every meal is included: a continental breakfast, a light lunch (at the house, or carried as a picnic on walking days) and a home-cooked dinner every night, with vegetables from the kitchen garden. Over one real week that has meant tapas and cava round the fire followed by roasted salmon, a courgette soup spiced with Ethiopian berbere before duck confit, a curry night, seared tuna, a Cantabrian mountain stew of pork and butter beans, Tudanca beef from a local breed, and grilled sardines with slow-cooked pork belly. Lunch is included, so the only lunch you pay for is one you choose to eat out.

And the bar is free. House wine, beer and spirits, help yourself, all day, with only premium brands carrying a charge. It is not all-inclusive, though: flights, insurance, optional excursions and a restaurant lunch if you fancy one are extra.

Split up by day, regroup at dinner

Groups of four rarely want to do everything as a unit, and they do not have to. The valley offers walking, horse riding on trails and beaches, the coast and surf under an hour away, cycling, yoga in the open hall and painting.

On a walking week such as the Cantabrian Walking Week, routes run from gentle coastal paths to the 650 m climb to the Alto de la Guarda, so the keener walkers can push on while the others take it steadier. If painting is more your pace, the drawing and painting break with tuition works the same way: side by side at an easel by day, all together at dinner. The Picos de Europa, about 1.5 hours by car, make a big day out for anyone who wants limestone peaks.

Getting about

On the hosted weeks, minibus transport during the week is included, so the four of you can leave the car keys at home. Santander airport is about an hour from the house and Bilbao roughly 1.5 hours. Ask Rob about transfers when you book.

If your four is really a club

Sometimes four friends are the start of something bigger. If you lead a walking club, cycling club, riding group or yoga retreat, enquire about bringing your group. Rob replies personally with dates and how a week could work.

Frequently asked questions

Can we book four rooms together as a group?

Yes. Tell the booking team you are travelling as four and want to be housed near each other. With 12 bedrooms across the house, this is straightforward on most dates, and booking together and early helps on popular weeks.

Will we pay a single supplement if two of us want our own rooms?

No single supplement is ever forced. Twin-share costs nothing extra, and a room of your own is an optional extra, priced clearly before you book.

Do we have to do all the activities together?

Not at all. Walking pace, riding, painting and rest days all flex within the week, so you can split up during the day and come back together for dinner.

What is not included that we should budget for?

Flights, travel insurance, optional excursions, premium spirits and any restaurant lunch you choose over the included one. Your room, every meal, the free bar and minibus transport during the week are covered.

Gather your four

Find a week that suits all of you on the scheduled holidays page, book your places and tell the booking team you are coming together. Rob and Chispa the house dog will have the fire lit well before you arrive.