Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel, Ronda, Andalucia, Spain - Explore & Book

"Tucked down a side street in Ronda's charming historical quarter, the Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel is an 18th-century townhouse with bags of character and elegant good looks. Following a fire many years ago, a family carefully restored the building retaining many period features, while adding a few extras such as the huge wooden staircase bought from the old town hall. Originally a family home, the building first opened its the doors to paying guests in the late 1990s. Chandeliers, family portraits, stags' heads, carved wooden beds and an exquisite salon create a stately Spanish splendour. But its small scale, friendly owners and congenial staff balance that with a genuinely welcoming and cosy atmosphere. The unexpected pièce de resistance is San Gabriel’s own miniature cinema, where you can sink into plush velvet seats (originally they came from the town theatre), to watch old black and white movies or perhaps Zeffirelli's Carmen which was filmed on location in Ronda. Other features include a pretty interior courtyard, a library, a café and a cellar bar. Highs The perfect position in the old quarter, close to streetside eateries, the Mondragon (and other) palaces, and the spectacular bridge over the gorge It's still family run, and the staff are utterly charming and enthusiastic Some bedrooms have ancient arches or canopied double beds We loved watching Carmen in the hotel's charming little cinema room Great value for a hotel in the heart of old Ronda Lows No pool or garden, but there is a small courtyard with seating Many of the bedrooms are rather dark, but this is in keeping with Spanish style Parking in the old town is usually a nightmare, but there’s a public carpark 5 minutes away and hotel guests receive a special daily rate This is an old building, whose thick walls mean patchy WiFi" - Nikki Tinto