The lifestyle on the Costa Blanca is synonymous with hospitality. In summer, our villas come alive with family and friends. However, intense cohabitation for weeks on end can overwhelm even the best relationships. Guest houses have become the perfect architectural solution for those who love to host without sacrificing their independence or silence.

We are no longer talking about setting up a spare room at the end of the corridor. We are talking about designing an autonomous space, a “small home” within the plot that redefines the concept of luxury. At La Quinta Fachada, we propose these annexes as design jewels that allow you to share moments while maintaining the necessary intimacy for everyone.

Versatility of guest houses: Beyond sleeping

Designing guest houses offers a unique opportunity: total flexibility of use throughout the 12 months of the year. A good architectural project plans this annexe as a hybrid and multi-functional space.

The independent suite: Its main use in high season. It must have a spacious bedroom and a full bathroom. But the detail that makes the difference is including a small coffee corner or integrated kitchenette. This gives visitors the autonomy to prepare a coffee or a light breakfast without having to enter the main kitchen of the house, gifting privacy to both parties.
Garden office: Outside the visiting season, guest houses are the ideal refuge for remote working. Being physically separated from the main dwelling creates a psychological barrier that aids concentration and allows work life to be separated from family life.
Wellness and leisure zone: This pavilion can easily be transformed into a private gym, a yoga studio overlooking the pool, or even an art studio, far from domestic noise.

The perfect equipment for guest houses

For these spaces to be habitable and comfortable, they cannot be treated as simple garden sheds. They require the same level of technical exigency as the main residence.

Insulation and climate control: Guest houses must have their own independent climate control system (air conditioning and heating), separate from the central house. Furthermore, thermal insulation in roofs and walls is vital so that they are not an oven in August nor a fridge in winter.
Total connectivity: If we want it to serve as an office or entertainment hub, the Wi-Fi signal must be impeccable. This often requires extending the data network via underground cabling from the main house.
Acoustic comfort: Privacy is also sonic. We use high-performance glass and acoustic insulation in the partitions to ensure that what happens in the annexe, stays in the annexe.

Design and construction of guest houses

When it comes to materialising the project, there are two main aesthetic and construction approaches.

Integration vs. contrast

We can replicate the style of the main villa (tiled roofs, white walls) to provide continuity, or opt for contrast, designing a minimalist cube of glass and wood or steel. The essential factor is location: we use vegetation and changes in ground level to create visual barriers and endow guest houses with their own private terrace.

Industrialised construction

Given that we often build in established gardens where people are living, industrialised or “dry” construction is a great option. It allows the structure to be erected in a few weeks, minimising noise, dust, and rubble, affecting the owners’ day-to-day life as little as possible.

Regulations for building guest houses

This is the critical point and where professional advice is indispensable. Is it legal to build guest houses on your plot? The answer depends strictly on local urban planning regulations (General Plan of Dénia, Jávea, Altea, etc.).

As architects, we analyse the remaining buildability of the plot.

Available metres: If the plot still has buildable square metres that haven’t been consumed, the project is viable.
Setbacks: Distances to neighbouring boundaries must be scrupulously respected.
Legality: A common mistake is trying to pass a guest house off as a “storage room” or “pool changing room”. To avoid fines and future problems when selling, the project must be correctly legalised as habitable surface area.

An investment that adds value

Building a legalised annexe is not an expense; it is a smart investment. A property that features guest houses automatically positions itself in an upper segment of the real estate market, attracting international buyers looking for versatility and accommodation capacity.

If you have available land, contact us. At La Quinta Fachada, we will study the urban viability of your plot to design the perfect space for your visitors (and for your peace of mind).