Mumsnet Talk

I've got a villa in alumencar - with air con so hopefully should be OK . It's true the traditional stone houses are cooler - thick walls and the traditional provencial houses in the south of france have 2 or 3 layers of tiles on the roof which help keep the heat out.

Something I learned in France - shut shutters and windows on sunny side of the house and open them on the other side. Windows must be shut with shutters as otherwise shutters heat up and heat the room even more. This is quite effective in keeping the room cool.

I hadn't thought of that Totally - the villa we use is a traditional type - thick stone walls, small windows, stone floors, so maybe that's why it was OK.

I would get air con if you can.

We stayed in SW France last summer, in August, near the Spanish border. It was 40C on the last 3 or 4 days, not much below that before. It was so hot. there was no air con, just a couple of electric fans. It was so hot, it was impossible to sleep. Even leaving all the windows open all night didn't help, nor did closing curtains in the day or anything.

It might depend on the villa. Spanish houses are designed to stay cool(ish) in the summer with thick, white walls, stone floors, small windows and shutters. If it is designed to appeal to Northern European holidaymakers, it will probably be much less comfortable in summer.

How funny! Shows how different we all are doesn't it?

Even in 40 degrees in Menorca last July (30+ with 90% humidity at night), I found a fan was more than enough to keep us cool enough to sleep comfortably.

We stayed in Nerja without air con last year. Never again. The fans blew hot air around the rooms and it made sleeping really difficult. Sorry!

It's Nerja but it's not far away.

We went to Menorca in august to a villa that had no air con. Was fine.
It was HOT though!
We had ceiling fans in bedrooms which kept us cool enough at night, and a pool which kept us cool in the day. It did have shutters and was right on the sea so a breeze came through a bit at night.

Thanks kendodds will investigate. Didn't know this was a possibility.

From personal experience, as long as you have room fans you should be fine.

Air Con Rental?

OK - that looks an overwhelming No then. Trouble is, I can't find any others that look as nice for the price - or if they are they are already booked!

Sorry posted to soon.

I wouldn't consider going without air conditioning, many years ago we went on holiday and the air conditioning was shit it was more a fan that blew hot air around the room and it made it unbearable.

No. But then I hate air con and never allow DH to turn it on. The whole POINT of being on holiday in a hot country is to be hot - isn't it?

I wouldn't

I was going to say that if it had shutters, it might be bearable.

Without them then I would say no.

I got married on the Costa Tropical in August - a few of our guests had a non air con villa. One of them had their head in the fridge at night crying
Is there any way you can hire portable air con units . Want me to check ?

Hmmm. I've noticed the local houses have very small windows .... Or shutters ....

We went to Mojacar last August and it was very hot every day, well in excess of 30° each day and most evenings it didn't drop much below 27°. I'd go for aircon if at all possible, we had fans in most rooms but they just didn't cut it for us.

Was it looks reasonably modern with big windows. No black out curtains or shutters. I was hoping the sea breeze would compensate.

We did Minorca in August without air con and it ruined the holiday. No sleep, sweat running off us while trying to get ready- we didn't use a hair dryer once as it was too hot and didn't bother putting make up on as it just ran straight off. And I need make up!!

How big are the windows and are there black out curtains? Stayed in Spain once in sc villa and bedrooms were downstairs and I don't remember frying at night (though June). We kept the curtains closed in the heat of the day and from what I remember it was fine (skips over that it was 12 degrees on car thermometer on way back to airport!)

sorry, should say "don't bother" x

Salobreña is up quite high on the Costa Tropical but it will be bloody hot. I wouldn't do it but I do love my air con.

Short answer?

Yes. LOL.

It depends where you are actually, will you be overlooking the sea? (sea breeze) if it's it's in land, do bother, you will fry. (sorry) x