There are two very different routes to La Pereda: one is a gentle drive south from the coast by Llanes; the other a spectacular (and narrow) mountain road that runs north-east through the foothills of Los Picos. Whichever way you choose, you'll be pleased to get here. A low, pale gold and light stone building stands in a large, lush, informal garden dotted with specimen plants and shrubs and overlooked by the long, high ridge of the Cuesta Caballo. Inside, the drawing room has a lovely feeling of light and space: floor to celing windows, tiled floors dotted with rugs and a happy mixture of art deco and ethnic furniture combine in an elegant and uncluttered style. Maria and Sirio have added some colonial furniture which they picked up when living in New Delhi (also the source of Maria's excellent English). The restaurant, which also doubles as the breakfast room, is Sirio's department (and as pleasingly unfussy as the drawing room), offering Asturian dishes, salads and grills and a worthy selection of Spanish wines. The bedrooms are all individually decorated, but in-keeping with house style. A couple have their own private terraces, and those on the ground floor offer easy access to guests who wish to avoid stairs. A well-concealed swimming pool completes the picture.