The house, briefly
explained.
Wi-Fi, the pool, the steam room, the oven, the sound system — and what to do when something doesn't do what you'd like. A short guide, kept open in the kitchen drawer.
§ 01Wi-Fi & access
There is one mesh network across the entire estate, including gardens and pool. The guest network Ehrlich-Essence-Guest (same password) is rate-limited and isolated, if you'd prefer.
§ 02The pool, steam room & spa
The pool
- The pool is open all hours; lighting is on a sensor and dims after midnight.
- Climate panel by the door: keep humidity below 65% — the dehumidifier is automatic.
- The robot runs at dawn — it is friendly; please don't try to swim with it.
- Towels are in the cedar chest by the entry. Use one per swim.
- Please shower before entering the pool — the rain head is set into the wall opposite the steam room.
The steam room
- Press ON on the panel by the door — it takes 12 minutes to reach temperature.
- Add a capful of eucalyptus oil to the reservoir below the bench.
- Maximum 25 minutes per session — drink water first.
- Auto-off after 60 minutes regardless.
The private gym
- Treadmill, Peloton, free weights to 30 kg.
- The Peloton tablet signs in to your account — sign out before you leave.
- Music: pull the Sonos zone GYM from the kitchen tablet or any phone on the network.
The pool robot
- Runs automatically at 6:30 am.
- If it has stopped, lift it out by the handle and place on the deck — Inês will reset it.
- Please do not redirect its programme; it has a complicated relationship with the steps.
§ 03The kitchen
The range
- Turn the dial inward and depress for 3 seconds to ignite.
- The left oven is gas (faster), the right oven is electric (more even).
- Always turn off the gas valve at the wall when the kitchen is unattended overnight.
Fridge, freezer & wine
- Left column: refrigerator. Right column: freezer.
- The wine cabinet under the island holds 28 bottles; the bottom shelf is reserved for the house's own.
- Ice maker is in the freezer door.
Coffee
- Turn on at the back (red switch). It is ready in 15 minutes.
- Beans are in the smoked-glass jar; a grinder lives beside it (setting 14 for espresso).
- A Moccamaster batch brewer is in the pantry, for the morning carafe.
Dishwasher
- Pods are under the sink — one per drawer.
- The QUICK 40 °C programme is plenty for a lunch.
- Glassware: top drawer, GLASS cycle, please.
§ 04Televisions & sound
Every room has it. Every room hides it.
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One remote per room
The Apple TV remote controls everything — TV power, volume, source. The Samsung remote is in the drawer, for the rare occasion it isn't enough.
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Sign in, sign out
Each Apple TV is signed out between stays. Sign in with your own Apple ID, Netflix, Disney+, Prime. We do not see your credentials.
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Sonos — house-wide
Twelve zones. Pull the Sonos app on any phone; the network appears as Ehrlich-Essence. The pool, terrace, and steam room have their own zones.
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Cinema mode in the library
The library houses a 75″ panel and a soundbar; hold Menu on the Apple TV remote for 2 s for cinema audio.
§ 05Xbox & play
The playroom is for whoever lays claim to it first — by age or by guile.
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Powering on
Press the Xbox button on the controller. The TV will switch to the right source automatically. A second controller is in the cabinet drawer.
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Your account
Sign in to your own Xbox account if you want your games library. Otherwise, the house library contains FIFA, Forza, Minecraft, and a handful of family co-ops.
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Board games & books
Below the TV, a small library of board games and children's books. We replenish quietly; please feel free.
§ 06The iRobots
Two robotic vacuums — Pedro and Inês — run nightly while you sleep.
They live by the laundry
Each on its dock. Please do not move the docks; they navigate by them.
To pause them
Press the round button on the top. They will rest until pressed again.
If one is lost
Look behind couches and under low tables. Please return it to its dock — it will recover within an hour.
§ 07Climate & comfort
Air conditioning
- Each room has its own panel — set the temperature directly.
- House-wide schedule is set to 22 °C, 9 pm–7 am, May to September.
- Please close windows when running A/C.
Heating
- Underfloor heating on the ground floor, radiators upstairs.
- Default schedule is 21 °C, October to April.
- The living-room stove is wood-burning — kindling and dry oak are in the store by the gym corridor.
§ 08Departure
Check-out is 11:00. We keep it light — Inês takes care of the rest.
- 10:30Sign out of all televisions and the Peloton (Apple ID, Netflix, Xbox).
- 10:40Return all keys to the bowl on the entry console; close pool gates.
- 10:45Turn off La Marzocco at the back; close the wall gas valve.
- 10:50Used towels in the bath; bedding may be left as it is.
- 11:00Front door is auto-locking; the gate closes behind you.
Late check-out is often possible — please ask Inês the morning before.
§ 09If something is amiss
House manager
Estate owner
Emergency (PT)
For anything mechanical — a flicker, a leak, a remote that won't — Inês is on call between 8 am and 10 pm. For anything beyond that, leave a message and we will follow up by morning. The house is well-loved and well-maintained; it occasionally has its own opinions.