This fabulous old country manor house, now a renovated hotel – Cortijo del Marqués is deep in the countryside and approached by a 4 km long rough road with all-round views. The beginnings of the wild flower display were already showing some colour on my visit on a wet, grey day at the end of April. The road snakes and winds passed wheat fields and olive groves, thankfully there are plenty of signs reassuring you that you are going the right way.

Suddenly a rooftop and buildings come into sight, a ramshackle collection of barns in some state of dilapidation but go around the corner and park your car. Enter the large wooden gates and the welcoming courtyard with restaurant, chapel and hotel sits charmingly within its walls.

Take solitude in the chapel, relax in the sun, read the by the pool or take tea by the log fires in winter.
For a special retreat, far from the maddening crowds, this is just the place to return to after a day in Granada (20km away) or drive around the beautiful countryside of inland Spain and Granada province.

All fifteen bedrooms are unique and many original features have been retained and reused giving the once abandoned cortijo a fabulous new life and its guests a fascinating historical record.

Visit Cortijo del Marques website or Cortijo del Marques on Booking.