Hotel La Fuente del Sol
La Joya
Hotel Fuente de Sol is a special place for us, because this is where the idea to start up Las Perlas was born. This is where it dawned on us that there are so many magnificent hotels off the beaten tourist trail, which are often literally very hard to find.
Hotel Fuente de Sol was built from scratch in 2006, but with in an old-looking style, giving you the feeling you have ended up in a renovated finca, albeit one with all modern conveniences.
Within the overwhelming countryside you will feel you have truly escaped the humdrum of your daily life, and that at only half an hour from the bustling city of Málaga.
8 Spacious double rooms; 3 superior double rooms, 2 suites and 1 imperial suite, all equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, underfloor heating during the winter months, telephone and fantastic views of the nearby and famous nature reserve El Torcal de Antequera.
Outside there is a sizeable swimming pool with large seating areas, and inside there is another one, heated, with Jacuzzi, and large windows so you can take in the views, as well as a Finnish sauna and Turkish baths, i.e. something for everyone.
And we haven’t even mentioned the restaurant yet. The chef has worked all over the world, including at the famous Ritz Hotel in Madrid, and you can definitely tell. Top-range quality with a modern twist, and that at a very reasonable price!!
You can burn any surplus carbs in the gym or on the tennis court, and after that find a good place to sit down with a good book, which is not hard in this spaciously laid-out complex.
Families with children are welcome, and will be able to fully enjoy themselves thanks to the large spaces.
In short, an absolute must for people who just want to get away from things and stay in beautiful and well-cared-for surroundings, with friendly staff catering to your every need.
Cons:
• We did not find any
Pros:
• New building, classic style, with all modern comforts
• Very spacious layout
• Offers many facilities and activities
• First-class restaurant, but with a relaxed atmosphere
• In the countryside, but with good connections
Hotel La Fuente del Sol
facilities
Hotel
- There is an a la carte restaurant where you can have lunch or dinner. Price for dinner approx. € 30 pp.
- Bar.
- Outdoor and indoor swimming pool.
- Garden.
- Relax in the hotel Spa, with indoor swimming pool, sauna, Turkish baths and Jacuzzi.
- Gym.
- Internet connection (Wi-Fi) in every room.
- Children are welcome.
- One room with wheelchair access.
- Lift.
- Pets are not welcome.
- The hotel offers a range of different excursions/activities.
- Hotel has ample parking facilities (free of charge).
- Hotel is in the countryside, away from civilization, at about 18 km from Antequera (18 mins) or 11 km from Villanueva de la Concepción (24 mins).
Rooms
Every room has air conditioning, heating, satellite TV, DVD player, internet connection (Wi-Fi), telephone, mini-bar and a safe.
Spacious fully-equipped bathrooms.
Hotel has a total of 14 rooms, made up of 8 double rooms, 3 superior double rooms, 2 suites and 1 imperial suite.
All suites have a Jacuzzi instead of the standard bathtub you find in double rooms.
Hotel La Fuente del Sol
surrounding area
Parque Natural El Torcal
Torcal means karst formation. These are limestone mountains of 1000 to 1200 m high, bizarrely sculpted by wind and rain, looking like stacked rocks, pancakes, columns, huge stone mushrooms, plateaus and crevices.
Footpaths start at the visitor centre, and you go on long or short walks.
Antequera
The streets in Antequera's old centre date back to the days of donkeys and horse-drawn carriages. That means they are steep and narrow! Plaza San Sebastián is the heart of the town. From this square the Calle Zapateros leads up to a staircase that will take you up to the Arco de los Gigantes (arch of giants). Other sights are the Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Plaza de Toros, which also houses a museum dedicated to bullfighting, and on a hilltop overlooking the town sits the Castillo Arabe castle, where you can walk along the castle walls.
Just outside the town, along the road to Granada, there are two pre-historic burial mounds, or dolmens.
Active
Explore these surroundings on a mountain bike, walking in El Torcal, horseback riding. Antequera also has a golf course.
Nature
There are a range of different nature reserves in this area, the hotel is close to El Torcal and you can also venture further afield and visit the lakes (embalses de Guadalhorce) to go for a swim or go for walks in the woods around the lakes. A drive past El Torcal, the lakes and the Garganta del Chorro also makes for a very rewarding day out.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Embalses de Guadalteba-Guadalhorce (30km; 30min):
This area is known as Andalucía’s lake district. The embalses are 2 reservoirs, which are surrounded by a beautiful landscape of mountains and forests. This is a popular recreation area, with picnic areas and plenty of places where you can go for a swim. And moreover, a great place for walks.
The hotel is next to one of these reservoirs, with places where you can go for a swim within walking distance.
Nearby (in the direction of Alóra) you will also find the Garganta del Chorro, a breathtaking, narrow gorge carved out by the Río Guadalhorce. This gorge is famous for the spectacular path of concrete wire bridges stuck against the rock face, but unfortunately the path has been closed because it is no longer entirely safe.
Fuente de Piedra (44km; 45min):
Fuente de Piedra is a well-known nature reserve. During the winter months the saltwater lake is visited by thousands of migratory birds, of which the flamingo is certainly the most special, who come here to brood.
The lake is dry during the summer months, so the young have to be strong enough by then to be able to migrate north. The best time of year to visit the lake is spring. The lake is within walking distance from the village, and you can, at places, get all the way down to the shore. Be sure to bring binoculars for a spot of bird watching!
Málaga (70km; 1h10min):
The bustling port city of Málaga is Andalucía’s biggest city after Seville. It used to be an important trading port, because in the 19th century Málaga wine was exported all over Europe, until Phylloxera, the pest that had already destroyed grapevines all over Europe, reached Málaga and put an end to its wealth.
Málaga old town is the area around the cathedral. The Museo Picasso is also near the cathedral, and exhibits many of the works of this famous artist, who was born in Málaga. Further sights include the Alcazaba, one of the prime Moorish fortresses in Andalucía, and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, a 14th-century Moorish castle, which you can access through its beautiful gardens.
Also make sure you taste some of Málaga’s fine wines in a bodega, some of which also serve delicious tapas.
And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Granada (130km; 1h45min):
The Alhambra was the part of town where princes, nobility and court staff dwelled, on the hill right in the middle of Granada. The Alhambra is a huge complex, 720m in length and 220m wide. Clever use of space, light, water and decorative features are the Alhambra’s defining features.
On the hill opposite the Alhambra, the Albayzín quarter, is where Granada’s Moorish past is still most tangible. Stroll through its narrow streets, past villas with Moorish decoration and gardens, up to the Mirador de San Nicolás. This is where you will have the best views, of the roofs of Granada, with the Alhambra behind them, which makes for a stunning view, especially at sunset!
Córdoba (135km; 2h10min):
Visit the Mezquita, Córdoba's huge mosque, which has seen various different developments throughout the years to become a fascinating blend of styles and religions. And you can also go for a stroll through the districts of San Lorenzo, Judería and San Basilio, where you will encounter the most beautiful Moorish patios. Other sights include the palace/fortress Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with magnificent gardens and fountains; various museums, such as the Museo Arqueológico, Museo Taurino, Museo de Bellas Artes; a string of great squares, such as the Plaza de la Corredera, Plaza del Potro.
Seville (180km; 2h15min):
The capital of Andalucía is a compact city with a rich past. Most of its major sights are in or near the city centre on the Guadalquivir river’s left bank. And they also know how to party and have a good time in this city of flamenco and tapas.
As you wander through the old Jewish quarter, the Barrio Santa Cruz, through a maze of white streets and patios, you should not forget to take in the imposing cathedral, the Moorish bell tower, La Giralda, and the royal palace Real Alcázar.
You can unwind in the María Luisa park, where you can spend the hottest part of the day under orange trees and palm trees.
The museum Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain’s best museums of art, is a real must. And then there are its magnificent palaces and other sights, such as the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza (bull ring); Casa de Pilatos and the Torre del Oro.