Hotel La Fuente de la Higuera, near Ronda, Spain - Explore & Book
"You cut up through ancient olive groves to a beguiling wysteria-clad facade, enter a high atrium-topped lobby - and instinctively you breathe more deeply. After all those look-alike Andalucian hotels, here is a truly mellow symphony of architecture and décor by Dutch owner-decorator Christina Piek.So out goes rustico style and in comes handsome hardwood furniture, unusual art and exotic objets. Terracotta tiles make way for floors of Indonesian sandstone and white planks, and instead of clichéd prints of Ronda you get an eclectic mix of paintings and sculpture, many brought in on Christina’s lap from her years spent travelling the world. You get a lot of space for your Euros in Fuente’s 11 rooms and suites, all decorated with cool, uncluttered panache. The 'Fig-tree Fountain' teases all 5 of your senses: scents of rosemary, honeysuckle and lavender; top-notch cuisine on a terrace above rolling hills; finest cotton bedlinen against your skin; over 1000 CDs from Pom and Christina's flamenco, jazz, rock and blues collection; nights set under myriad stars. Highs Despite being so close to Ronda, it's a real hideaway; returning here after sightseeing with the hoi polloi is a breath of fresh airHuge rooms and suites, all with private terraces, long views and open fireplacesMagical and delicious summer-night dinners: fresh produce, aromatic gardens, glorious vistas. And an extremely well-stocked honesty bar for nightcaps!Staff are extremely caring but don't intrude on the laid-back atmosphereSister property The Lodge Ronda is perfect for families, hidden in 22 acres of grounds with a large pool and panoramic views Lows Though all ages are welcome, the refined atmosphere and high-quality furnishings aren't ideal for small childrenThe number of tables for dining on the terrace is limited, but there's a lovely porch area with views tooThe rural setting means it's a short drive to other restaurants but with food this good you won't want to head out much (though food is on the pricey side)Only two of the suites have TVs Expect a few wasps at your breakfast table in late summer, and ants in the spring, but staff will keep them at bay" - Guy Hunter Watts
