Located a short skip from the pretty town of Rodalquilar, in the heart of the Natural Park is this stunning casa rural. Owners Joaquin and Maite embarked on a long journey to transform their 300-year-old cortijo into the beautiful and intimate space it is today, comprising 7 rooms and 2 villas which they share with guests. No expense has been spared in creating a peaceful and welcoming house with all the luxurious elements expected of any top hotel, from bathrobes to soaking rain showers. The pretty yet minimal gardens allow you to focus on the property’s breathtaking 360-degree views, with the added benefit of a plunge pool in the form of a traditional alberca (water tank), and a large rooftop terrace with comfy seating – ideal for a sundowner or two.
Thoughtfully decorated bedrooms await, with gorgeous floor tiles, soft colours and wonderful beds. We particularly liked the Suite, with its cavernous space and enormous bath – worthy of Cleopatra! Days can be spent discovering the Cabo de Gata Natural Park and its stunning unspoilt coastlines, wild interiors and sleepy traditional villages, for a taste of an older time. Beaches, famous for their clear blue waters, are a must-see; the closest only a 15-minute walk from the house. There are bikes, snorkels and paddle boards to borrow too. Evenings can be whiled away at the cortijo or in the local town of Rodalquilar, offering any food lover a rich selection of great restaurants.
Highs
- Fantastic location, close to great beaches, restaurants and walking routes (it's just a 15-minute walk to El Playazo beach)
- Extremely comfortable rooms, with luxurious rain showers and plenty of space
- Homemade restaurant-quality dinners and fab breakfasts
- Lovely roof top terrace with honesty bar and long views to the beach
- Impressive sustainability practices, including solar and aerothermal energy, LED lighting, recyclable amenities, rainwater collection and drip irrigation in the gardens
Lows
- The house is situated along a dirt track that can be tricky to find, but the hosts send you detailed directions so its not a problem
- The pool is small, but who needs a large pool when you have the beach so close?
- You’ll need to drive to stay here
- No kids, a plus for many
Best time to go
July and August can be incredibly hot in this part of Andalucia, so we would recommend avoiding these times if you suffer in the heat, although the rooms all feature air-conditioning. Autumn and spring are ideal for walking and cycling, as is the winter! Expect lovely warm days and cool nights in the winter – Siete Calas has heating in all the rooms and they are beautifully cosy for the longer evenings.
Our top tips
Bring walking shoes and lots of suncream – this corner of Spain offers hikers some fantastic walking routes and the sun shines for upwards of 320 days a year. With far fewer tourists than other parts of Spain, this is also a great place to escape the rat race… bring a good book and totally switch off from the world.
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 9 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Beatiful location, a real hideaway. Super bice breakfast and very friendly service.
A real pool would make the place even more worth the money.
We really enjoyed our stay and the surrounding countryside is beautiful with great footpaths through the hills for long walks and lovely beaches to discover. We initially stayed in a deluxe room which was ok but we had a problem with the shower and so were changed to a junior suite which was much better. We'll be booking the suite next time! Most of the staff speak almost no English and we felt a little lost when we arrived. Then the manager, Julia, arrived. She speaks excellent English and is a thoroughly delightful person who looked after us really well and was full of great ideas for days out.
Loved every minute of our stay, the amazing views, the peace and quiet are incomparable, the excellent food, the kindness of the staff, the nicely decorated and comfortable rooms. We made some lovely excursions in the neighborhood, you can find little charming villages and beautiful natural beaches so car is rather indispensable. Would have loved to spend some more time at the hotel too bit shady spots are limited..Overall this is a little paradise to disconnect..
Fantastic location, and amazing, helpful staff. Big shout out to Julia who went above and beyond. Would love to stay again!
Staff were really lovely gave some great recommendations of places to eat and things to do. The accommodation was fantastic, cosy beds, lovely gardens, great views of the mountains and beaches.
A lovely small, very quiet hotel in a beautifully remote and fascinating area of Spain. Julia and her team looked after us very well. Our room was small but very comfortable and well-equipped. Great food in the hotel and locally in nearby restaurants. Its a good half an hour walk to the nearest beach and the path is tricky to find (or you can hike cross country) - either way its well worth it. Lots of other great beaches within driving distance too. We had a lovely time.
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