Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel

Rooms

Great care has been taken with the conversion of this old family home into a fine hotel. Each room is different but has an unmistakable air of Spanish elegance. The beds, some four-poster, some tucked behind Moorish-style arches, have richly carved wooden headboards, the colour of darkest ebony. All have tiled terracotta floors, air-conditioning, their own bathroom, a TV, a minibar and perhaps a comfortable sofa to relax into after a hard day's walking round Ronda. Most of the simple but spotless bathrooms have bathtubs, some just have showers.

As is typical of most Spanish townhouses, the rooms are rather dark - overlooking either a narrow lane or the pretty internal courtyard (as did ours, Room 7, with the added bonus of a small balcony). It's surprisingly quiet at night - most tourists just visit Ronda for the day.

The 22 rooms are categorised according to size. Standard Rooms come with either twin and double beds, as do the Superiors which have a few more square metres of space and the added bonus of a writing desk. Those looking for a spacious room should book a Junior Suite - they're large enough for 1 or 2 extra single beds to be slotted in. The Triple rooms fit 3 single beds. Or for something particularly special we recommend the spacious and ornate Honeymoon Suite which has its own sitting room and a really swish bathroom with twin sinks and a big round tub - it's plenty big enough for 2.

Features include:

• WiFi

Eating

A buffet-style breakfast is served in the cafe any time between 7.30am and 12pm. Expect coffee, bottled orange juice, a selection of breads, homemade jams and honey, cereals and cakes, soft cheese and pate, as well as olive oil and tomato for your Andalusian-style tostada. You can book room-only or breakfast-inclusive - we advise the latter, as it's good value, unhurried and has plenty of variety.

The Spanish love to eat out and Ronda's no exception to the rule with bars and restaurants on practically every street. There is something for everyone: from atmospheric bars selling traditional tapas such as the excellent Bodega San Francisco or Lechuguita, to more refined dining at Carmen La de Ronda - just round the corner from the hotel - or at Almocabar next to the old city gate of the same name. And there are more options; just ask. The hotel has its own map with all of these eateries clearly flagged up.

In San Gabriel's own café, you can help yourself to a cold drink or make yourself tea and coffee in the afternoon, surrounded by signed photos of former guests and the cloaks of some of Spain's most renowned bullfighters. Or in summer you can sit out in the shaded courtyard. There's also a tiny cellar bar where - if it's open - you'll find a selection of local Rondeño wines.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Wander through the winding streets of Ronda, discovering galleries, antique shops, mansion houses and pretty squares
  
• Walk across the main bridge that spans Ronda's famous gorge and visit Spain's oldest bullring and its museum
  
• Go on one of the carriage tours around the old part of the city - located by the bullring
  
• If the weather turns cold, cosy up in the hotel’s cinema and watch a classic movie
  
• Take a train for a day visit to Granada and the famous Alhambra
  
• A day's hiking in the mountains, routes and maps can be arranged by the hotel
  
• Day trips to Seville and Jerez are possible: only 1 hour 30 mins away
  
• Go horse riding in the nearby national park
  
• It's an hour's drive down to the Costa del Sol, via the spectacular A 397 road, for swimming, golf and buzzier bars

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Hot air ballooning
• Nightlife
• Shopping / markets
• Traditional cultures

Kids

The hotel is furnished with precious china, antiques and furnishings so well-behaved children are welcome. Babies are welcome and the hotel can provide cots (free of charge) whenever necessary though there are no high chairs at present. There is a charge for extra beds.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel is located in the heart of Ronda's old quarter, in Andalucia. It's in the Ciudad - the Moorish part of the town - 4 mins' walk from the famous Puente Nuevo bridge.

[gettthere:andalucia:By Air]
Fly into Gibraltar (110km), Malaga (120km) or Seville (130km).

From the Airport:
You'll probably want a car - see our rental tips - partly for ease and partly to explore the local area. However bear in mind that parking in Ronda is tricky and (even with the hotel discount) the cost can mount up. If Ronda is your only stop, and you don't mind shelling out for a taxi or taking the bus, then you can manage without a car.