10 great places to stay in southern Spain
Hotel Cortijo del Marques, Albolote
Set in the mountains north of Granada and surrounded by olive groves and oak forests, this picturesque estate has been restored into a charming 15-room retreat. Combine mornings at the Alhambra - Granada is just half an hour's drive away - with afternoons by the pool in the pretty walled garden, or spend your time exploring the surrounding Alpujarran mountains on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Original beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls give the rooms an authentic, rustic feel and the three-course dinners offer the best of local Andalusian cuisine. Double from £89 B&B; cortijodelmarques.com
Casa Olea, Priego de Córdoba
English-owned and surrounded by the green hills of Subbética, Olea is a comfortable six-bedroom hotel that makes an ideal base for exploring Cordoba, Granada and the Renaissance towns of Ubeda and Baeza - all around an hour's drive away. road. Combine sightseeing with relaxing afternoons on the flower-filled pool terrace, or go hiking or biking along centuries-old trails through the surrounding olive groves. Dinners can be a communal paella or tablas - meat and cheese platters - with a vegetarian option always available. Two night stays from £236 B&B; casaolea.com
Cerro de Hijar, Tolox
Set in the mountains north of Granada and surrounded by olive groves and oak forests, this picturesque estate has been restored into a charming 15-room retreat. Combine mornings at the Alhambra - Granada is just half an hour's drive away - with afternoons by the pool in the pretty walled garden, or spend your time exploring the surrounding Alpujarran mountains on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Original beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls give the rooms an authentic, rustic feel and the three-course dinners offer the best of local Andalusian cuisine. Double from £89 B&B; cortijodelmarques.com
Casa Olea, Priego de CórdobaEnglish-owned and surrounded by the green hills of Subbética, Olea is a comfortable six-bedroom hotel that makes an ideal base for exploring Cordoba, Granada and the Renaissance towns of Ubeda and Baeza - all around an hour's drive away. road. Combine sightseeing with relaxing afternoons on the flower-filled pool terrace, or go hiking or biking along centuries-old trails through the surrounding olive groves. Dinners can be a communal paella or tablas - meat and cheese platters - with a vegetarian option always available. Two night stays from £236 B&B; casaolea.com
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