Category: Unique

Luxurious Andalusian Hotels on Conde Nast List

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I’m always looking up and visiting great hotels in Spain, they are my passion and the sole reason for starting my Only Spain ~ Boutique Hotel collection. It’s taking me a while and it’s not easy visiting gorgeous hotels but the portfolio is growing and most quickly in Andalusia the region of Spain in which I live.

Hotel Cortijo Bravo

When I stumbled upon the Spanish Conde Nast list El Lujo es un Cortijo – Luxury is a Cortijo (country house)  I was very happy that I knew about (but have not visited) most of them. The one new addition (Cortijo Los Malenos) to my  list of ‘lovely places to stay that I want to visit for Only Spain’ makes me wonder whether I’ll make it around the whole of Spain when Andalucia is so large and diverse. It’s a huge country to a Brit like me but one I delight in exploring.

Hotel Molino del Arco, Ronda, Jose Salto

How Conde Nast managed to limit their list to eleven  I don’t know but these ones are indeed gorgeous, luxury cortijos which are now small hotels or B&Bs.  I thought the list should be shared in English – if you’re looking for a great place to stay then this list won’t make your choice easy!

Luxurious Cortijo Hotels in Andalusia

Cortijo Carligto – Canillas del Aceituno, Malaga

Hotel Cortijo Bravo – Velez, Malaga

Molino del Arco – Ronda, Malaga

La Amunia – Monachil, Granada

Cortijo Los Malenos – Cabo de Gata, Almería

Finca Las Encinas – Iznajar, Cordoba

Finca La Guarda – Alcala del Valle, Cadiz

Molino Rio Alajar – Aracena, Huelva

Hacienda San Rafael – Cabezas de San Juan, Sevilla

Cortijo El Sarmiento – Mojacar, Almeria

Finca Cortesin – Casares, Malaga

The only part of this list I’m not happy about is that there is at least one hotel from every one of the eight provinces in Andalusia except my home province of  Jaen. How sad is that. I know Jaen doesn’t have the same amount of luxury properties as other more touristy  and famous areas but there are some special places here too! Check out Boutique Hotels in Jaen Province on Only Spain to see.

The only one on the list that is on Only Spain at the moment is Finca Las Encinas.

Finca de las Encinas

The source for this post was this article – Conde Nast Spain if you want to see the original post in Spanish.

To read other posts about Hotels in Spain here on Luxury Spain Travel have a look at the Review page.

Two Great Castle Hotels in Spain

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These two lovely castle hotels are in Malaga province, Andalucia one overlooking Malaga town and port with the Mediterranean Sea as its backdrop. The other in the mountain town of  Monda not far inland from the coast of Marbella.

Hotel Castillo de Santa Catalina

Wind up from the coast, through a now residential area, and you’ll discover this old summer palace/mansion built on the site of a castle with some romantic ruins within the grounds.

Hotel Castillo de Santa Catalina, Malaga

Hotel Castillo de Santa Catalina was built by King Phillip IV in 1624 as part of the city’s defences but it didn’t survive long and by the early 20th century the fortress was in ruins. Manuel Loring, Count of Mieres and local of Malaga  had a summer residence built next to it to catch those cooling sea breezes in the heat of July and August.

Hotel Castillo de Santa Catalina, Malaga

French architects Levard and Lahalle designed the neo-Arabian style palace which now sits overlooking the bay of Malaga. It was named Castillo de Santa Catalina and is now a 4* star hotel maintaining many original aspects, now shabby-chic decor and of course those fabulous views from its heyday.

With only eight rooms you really do feel like the king of the castle here, we barely saw another guest on our stay.

Hotel Castillo de Monda

Climb up from the coast into the mountains and you’ll find lots of small towns but the most impressive is the town of Monda with its castle atop and town almost surrounding it. The castle with its origins in the IX century was conquered by the Catholic Kings and ordered to be pulled down in 1485 but it wasn’t until an uprising in 1568 that it was practically raised to the ground.

Hotel Castillo de Monda, Malaga

These days there is very  little of the original structure to be seen but the Castle today was designed in a traditional style. The hotel entrance is accessed by a high entry gate and pretty patio, all 25 rooms have lovely views and the salt pool, bar and restaurant on the top floor even better ones.

Hotel Castillo de Monda, Malaga

This is a privately managed hotel and offers relaxation, spa treatments, we had the salt pool to ourselves and it has a very good restaurant so there’s no need to leave your castle at all.

 

Read my review of Hotel Castillo de Santa Catalina

See Hotel Castillo de Monda on my Only Spain ~ Boutique Hotels site

 

 

 

Five Charming Hotels in Seville

Seville, or Sevilla in Spanish, is one of my favourite Andalusian cities. It’s huge and one of the ‘famous three’ that most visitors head for when visiting southern Spain – Cordoba, Granada and Seville.

Did you know you can submit an article about Andalucia here?http://bit.ly/24Nn88O
Seville University

I don’t know it as well as Cordoba or Granada and nowhere near as well as my nearest city – Jaen (pronounced ‘hi-en’) which is probably the least known of the eight cities and provinces that make up Andalucia.

Jaen monumental cross
Jaen Monumental Cross

When I saw in the local Spanish paper ABC an article on ‘The five most charming hotels in Seville city’  I took note for the next time I go.

Five Charming Hotels in Seville City

Boutique Hotel Casa Poeta

Boutique Hotel Casa Poeta
Boutique Hotel Casa Poeta

 

Named after the poet Al-Mutamid, Boutique Hotel Casa Poeta, the house where he lived is located in the heart of the old quarter Santa Cruz with its maze-like narrow streets and enormous choice of bars and restaurants all around. The hotel has a gorgeous interior Andalucian patio and individually-decorated rooms.

Hotel Corral del Rey

Hotel Corral del Rey
Hotel Corral del Rey

The second hotel is in the area – Barrio de la Alfalfa. A beautiful ancient building once an VII palace, now completely renovated into this intimate boutique hotel with a minimilistic style and a great merging of modern and antique.

El Rey Moro Hotel Boutique Sevilla

Hotel El Rey Moro, Seville
El Rey Moro Hotel Boutique Sevilla

In the heart of the Jewish quarter with lovely views the Rey Moro translates as Moorish King. Each bedroom has been decorated with  a different theme. One of its main selling points is after a long, and hot day sightseeing you can relax in the jacuzzi with views of the Giralda, the Moorish tower.

Alcoba del Rey de Sevilla

Hotel El Rey Moro, Seville
Hotel Alcoba del Rey

Located in the same house where the Moorish poet Al-Mutamid lived,  Hotel Alcoba del Rey preserves that historical and cultural spirit one thousand years later. With a Moroccan/Arabian feel to make your stay here an unforgettable one.

 

Palacio Pinello Hotel Boutique

Hotel Palacio PinelloHotel Boutique , Seville
Hotel Palacio Pinello Hotel Boutique

The final one on the list is Palacio Pinello Hotel Boutique in the heart of Santa Cruz quarter. Built on a  XV palace it’s a charming hotel with lovely details transforming and merging ancient and modern with maximum comfort.

Very tough choice, I love them all, perhaps a night in each!

Photo Credits: Hotel photos from the individual hotel, Seville University official photograph and Jaen Monumental Cross is my own.

Gastronomy Hotel – Small & Personal

Hotel La Gastrocasa is a Gastronomy hotel. Small and personal, once the family home, this residential villa is just ten minutes walk from long sandy beaches, or borrow the bikes and its less than a 5 minute cycle. It only opened in 2015 and has already built up an excellent reputation for its service, food and adult-only escapes.

Hotel La Gastrocasa
Hotel La Gastrocasa
Hotel La Gastrocasa

With only 5 bedrooms this is a home-from-home experience. Everything is very well done, well-planned and with those special little touches that make you feel welcome, comfortable and cared for.

Hotel La Gastrocasa

Even though the beach is so near you may find yourself not leaving the hotel. With a swimming pool and outdoor jacuzzi, sun beds, poolside bar and no children, relaxing is not a choice it will just happen.

Hotel La Gastrocasa
Hotel La Gastrocasa
Hotel La Gastrocasa

If you feel the need for activity you can choose yoga, a nutritional or traditional cookery class on the premises of La Gastrocasa or take one of the bikes for a spin along the promenade.

Hotel La Gastrocas
Hotel La Gastocasa Bikes on Gandia Playa
Hotel La Gastocasa Bikes on Gandia Playa

Having had one meal here I’m sure you’ll want to stay for the next and the next. And breakfast, well this was our feast, a breakfast for four guests.

Hotel La Gastocasa Breakfast

Did I mention that I felt instantly welcome and at home. Family-owned and family-run means you feel part of the family.

If you want sunshine and beaches yet the feel of being tucked far away from the hustle and bustle Hotel La Gastrocasa is just the place. It’s like visiting old friends or being massaged, settling in is immediate.

The cool, calming decor is lovely and the open-plan reception, lounge and dining area have views of the garden and swimming pool with grass and palm trees.

Hotel La Gastocasa

The rooms have TVs  and excellent wifi  so it’s an escape without being disconnected or cut off from civilisation, Hotel La Gastrocasa a great gastronomic getaway and it’s small & personal.

See Hotel La Gastrocasa on Only Spain ~ Boutique Hotels.

Hotel Abadia Retuerta Le Domaine

Spanish 5* Vineyard Hotel in Ribera del Duero

The Estate Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine, once a 12th century monastery, now a 5* star Relais & Chateaux hotel with the Michelin star restaurant – Refectario.

Nestling between vines along the River Duero it radiates luxury and peace and quiet rule from the inside the historical Romanesque-Baroque monastery walls.

Abadia Retuerta Le Domaine @ Relais & Chateaux

North of Madrid in the region of Castilla y Leon and east of Valladolid this is wine growing country so a vineyard visit is a must but there are plenty of other experiences available, Horse riding, Cycling or Hiking Trails, Historical and cultural guided tours, Medieval falconry and the almost obligatory wine tastings.
Hotel Abadia Retuerta Le Domaine

 

Fine Dining High-Style in Granada

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Spain’s only high-rise, revolving restaurant, the Panoramic 360º,  really does provide the best views in and of Granada. It may not be central but just on the outskirts it offers vistas of the Sierra Nevada a large often snow-covered mountain range, the amazing Alhambra Palace as well as Granada’s other famous districts Sacromonte and the Albayzin.

Panoramic

Update: This restaurant is now closed.

Hotel El Poeta de Ronda

When exploring Ronda and having just crossed the famous Puente Nuevo or New Bridge I spotted a rather unusual tapas menu along with a very pretty plant-fillled terrace and was sold.

On closer inspection I’d stumbled upon the lovely 4* Hotel El Poeta, former home of the poet Pedro Pérez Clotet is in the very heart of this beautiful if busy little town and the tapas and terrace were even better than I’d anticipated.

Individually decorated rooms with antique furniture and  traditional Andalusian decor it is both charming and different. Each room stylish room has views and the outside Café/Restaurant serves very good typical regional dishes and homemade desserts.

With just 12 rooms this isn’t serious luxury but certainly one of the best in town and if you haven’t visited Ronda yet you should. I keep going back.


Hotel El Poeta de Ronda