Hotel La Fuente de la Higuera
Ronda
This hotel is owned by Christina and Tom Piek, who decided to make a go of realizing their dream a few years ago, opening a small romantic hotel.
They purchased an old building where olive oil used to be produced, in a beautiful location just outside Ronda, and completely renovated and converted it to what it is today. And yes, we can safely say that they have well and truly realized their dream!
Hotel La Fuente de la Higuera is a small hotel in a truly magnificent building, where you notice right away that the staff will go to every effort to make your stay a pleasant one, hospitality is written in capital letters here.
As soon as you are escorted to 1 of the hotel’s 11 rooms, you realize you will be staying in a romantic setting, the big lawn next to the swimming pool, for example, with palm trees and flowering lavender, stands out. The patio with its large pot plants and tropical plants is a special place, where you will also find the honesty bar. When you get to your room, you see that the romantic atmosphere has also pervaded the rooms, in the tiniest details. It is quite apparent that the owners have done a lot of travelling, the decoration is littered with objects from all over the world.
At night you can dine in the hotel’s own restaurant, which offers a view of the brightly lit swimming pool. The menu changes day by day, and offers a wide choice of culinary delights to choose from, always accompanied by fine wines.
The hotel has opted for a no-TV policy, which is fully in keeping with the feel of the place. Because this is a place where you will only have eyes for each other, and where you will engage in conversation until well into the night.
Cons:
• Rooms have no air conditioning, but the building has old-fashioned thick walls that keep the heat out.
Pros:
• Extremely friendly staff, who emanate a kind of gratitude for being allowed to work in a special place
• Good restaurant with original dishes
• Ronda is only a few kilometres away
Hotel La Fuente de la Higuera
facilities
Hotel
- There is a restaurant where you can have lunch or dinner, with a changing day menu. A three-course meal costs € 42 pp.
- Honesty bar.
- Swimming pool.
- Garden.
- Hotel has an internet connection.
- Children are welcome.
- No rooms with wheelchair access.
- No lift.
- Library.
- Pets are not welcome.
- Hotel has its own parking facilities (free of charge).
- The hotel is a 5-minute drive from Ronda.
Rooms
Every room has heating and a CD player.
Fully-equipped bathrooms.
The hotel has 11 rooms, comprising 3 standard double rooms with private terrace with a view of the olive grove; 2 junior suites, these are spacious rooms with a seating area and a fireplace, as well as a large terrace with a garden/swimming pool view; 3 suites with a seating area with fireplace, private garden or terrace with a view of the valley; 2 deluxe suites with a large living room with a fireplace, large bathroom and private terrace with view of the valley; 1 double suite (for 4 guests) with two bedrooms, living room with fireplace; 2 terraces with fine views of the Sierra de las Nieves. Seeing as one of the bedrooms is accessed by a spiral staircase, this suite is not suitable for small children and elderly people.
Hotel La Fuente de la Higuera
surrounding area
Ronda
Ronda has one of the most spectacular settings in all of Southern Spain. Due to this town’s unassailable location, it was one of the last standing Moorish bastions, which only fell in 1485, when it was conquered by the Christians. The town is split in two by a spectacular gorge, with the southern part being the classic Moorish pueblo blanco with cobblestone streets, small fences in front of the windows and whitewashed walls all around. The new town on the other side of the gorge contains the Plaza de Toros (bull ring), the cradle of bullfighting; it was built in 1785 and is one of Spain’s oldest. The bridge that connects the two parts of Ronda, the Puente Nuevo, spans the 100-metre-deep gorge and has become Ronda’s most famous feature, drawing in millions of visitors every year.
Apart from the Plaza de Toros, the Palacio Mondragón is another important sight; this is a palace decorated with original Moorish mosaics and plastering.
About 15 km outside Ronda you will find caves, the Cueva de la Pileta (near Benaoján), with prehistoric paintings.
Active
There are also many options for hearty walks in the surrounding Sierras.
Cultural
Ronda is a great base for a tour past the Pueblos Blancos (white villages), such as Zahara de la Sierra, which sits at the foot of the ruins of a castle, and which was recently proclaimed a national monument. Other splendid white villages are Grazalema, Setenil, Jimena de la Frontera, Gaucín. In these white villages you will be able to get a taste of Spanish country life as it has been for centuries.
Family
Close to Estepona (68 km; 1h 5min) you will find the safari park Selwo Aventura, with about 200 different animal species. Some animals can be seen from a 4x4 safari bus, or you can go on an adventurous walk over the park’s wire bridges (from the higher part of the park down to the bottom).
Nature
Tours by car past the Pueblos Blancos (white villages), on routes that take you through stunning scenery: mountains up to 1600m high, plateaus, valleys and gorges, rivers, waterfalls and reservoirs, forests and orchards.
You can also go for a walk or a hike in the surrounding nature reserves of Sierra de Grazalema, Los Alcornocales and Sierra de las Nieves.
Next to the Pueblos Blancos (White Villages) the following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Ardales (50km; 55min):
The Embalses de Guadalteba-Guadalhorce are known as Andalucía’s lake district. The embalses are 2 reservoirs, which are surrounded by stunning mountainous and wooded countryside. This is a popular recreation area, with picnic sites and plenty of places where you can go for a swim. And moreover, a great place for walks.
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 clinging onto the rock face, but unfortunately the path has been closed because it is no longer entirely safe.
Costa del Sol (50km; 1h):
A day at the beach is also an option. The Costa del Sol, with all its beaches, stretches out at only a 1 hour drive from Ronda. The finest beaches are the ones at Marbella, including Babaloo Beach (Puerto Banus) and Victor’s Beach (Marbella).
Marbella (62km; 1h10min):
Marbella’s old town is definitely worth a visit. One of the highlights of your visit will be having a nice outdoor dinner on the Plaza de los Naranjos, the main square, lined with orange trees. After dinner you can stroll through Marbella’s narrow streets and past its many squares.
And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Seville (130km; 2h):
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.
Córdoba (170km; 2h40min):
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.
Granada (190km; 2h30min):
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!