Raquel Marco and Simon Salleof 59 and 60 years old respectively, they are a marriage dedicated to manage tourist apartments rural areas in the region Navarrese Pyrenees. She was born in Isabaand he is Englishand they met at Pamplona a few decades ago.
Rachael He had been living in London for several years and Simonbored by the bad British weather, came to the Navarrese capital to give lessons English. They both thought it was a good idea to teach each other their language so they could continue learning when they met. Since then, they have lived and worked together, so they are rarely separated from each other.
The couple opened their first rural apartment in Isaba In July 2014. This is the Onki Xin Apartment Complex (which means welcome in Roncal Basque), in the Izarjentea Street, number 39. These apartments are located above your own house.
“It’s at the top of the city and the view is magnificent. Since there are no houses around, the sunlight that comes in on good days fills you with energy,” he says. Rachel Marc.
Onki Xin is composed of 4 apartments for 4 and 6 peoplein addition to a rural inn for 18 people. Its price is approximately €25 per person per night.
In the year 2019they decided to expand their offer and opened the apartments Metsolaalso in Isaba. More precisely, in the Barrikata district, number 27. It’s a set of modern and sober apartments in the city center. This traditional house roncale is divided into 7 tourist apartments, for 2 and 4 people. The price per person per night varies depending on the apartment chosen and can be consulted from 30€.
To cope with the work on all the buildings, they have the help of their children John, 23, and Daniel Hall, 19who work with them. your brother Alexwho has 21 years oldcan’t give them a helping hand since he studies engineering in the United States.
Rachel Marc believes the highlight of their apartments is the love and appreciation showered upon them. “We’re trying to get people to leave Isaba with a good taste in the mouth, they want to come back,” he assures.
Furthermore, the fact that they are in their city It’s very positive for him. “I’m from here. My roots, my family and my friends are here. That’s why I wanted so much Onki Xin as Metsola were located in Isaba“, he explains.
Rachel Marc He considers his city a great place to visit. “Isaba It’s a gem. It has incredible landscapes and nature, there are many things to see nearby and, what’s more, we notice that there are almost never many people,” explains the owner of the establishment. apartments.
The wife of Isaba He regrets not having continued his professional career in relation to his studies. “I always really liked Sociologyand when I have time, I read books and go to a class,” he says.
However, it appears very happy of the life they led. “We enjoyed our work and the free time we had. apartments They gave us a very good life,” he explains.
Today, the family is looking to expand its tourist apartmentsand they already bought another one building in Isaba for that. More than a century ago, the building was one of the best hotels in Navarra: the Hotel Pirineo.
