Hotel Madreselva
Los Caños de Meca
The people who brought you La Casa del Califa and Triperia no.1, opened as well this hotel; Hotel Madreselva. It has been subjected to a complete overhaul, and it is now a real eye-catcher! Just like the other hotels in this group, the Hotel Madreselva has charm in abundance, making it an interesting place to stay.
Los Caños de Meca is a small village nestled between the beach on one side and hills and forests on the other, with plenty of fun activities on offer during the summer months. The relaxed surf atmosphere is all around here, supplemented by cosy restaurants and bars, beach bars and of course a vast beach. This coastline is famous for its surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. And if you are a beginner, you can turn to one of the surf schools here.
But the sandy beach alone already makes for a great day out for families with children.
No mass tourism here, most people do not know this village, and the Hotel Madreselva, with its 18 rooms, is the largest hotel there.
All rooms have their own private terrace, there is a small restaurant that opens from May to October, and there is also a swimming pool. Private car park.
The village has 2 small supermarkets, but no more, for other facilities you will have to head to Vejer de la Frontera, which is a 10-minute drive away.
So if you feel an urge to hide in a secluded village with a nice laid-back atmosphere, this is the place to be!!
Cons:
• The village is quite basic, although that is also its charm
Pros:
• Central location in the village
• Vast sandy beach opposite the hotel
• Renovated by new owners, bright and airy design
Hotel Madreselva
facilities
Hotel
- There is a restaurant where you can have lunch or dinner, between May and October. Price for three-course meal is approx. € 28 pp.
- Bar.
- Swimming pool.
- Garden.
- Internet connection (Wi-Fi) in every room.
- Children are welcome.
- One room with wheelchair access.
- No lift (all rooms on ground floor).
- Pets are welcome.
- The hotel offers a range of different excursions/activities.
- Hotel has its own parking facilities (free of charge).
- Hotel is right in the middle of the village of Los Caños de Meca.
Rooms
Every room has air conditioning (hot and cold), TV and a safe. All rooms have their own terrace.
Fully-equipped bathrooms with hairdryer.
The hotel has 18 rooms, of which 17 are double rooms and 1 suite comprising two bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a small kitchen, living room and large private terrace.
Hotel Madreselva
surrounding area
Los Caños de Meca
Once a hippy hideout, now a pleasant white sandy beach, sheltered by rocks and dunes. The beach is popular with keen windsurfers, which is an indicator of the wind and waves on this stretch of coast. The Cabo de Trafalgar lighthouse stands to the west of Los Caños de Meca, at a 10-minute walk. This marks the spot where Nelson, in 1805, defeated the combined French/Spanish fleet with his unrivalled seamanship.
There are also some fine beaches between Caños de Meca and Barbate, which are connected by a coastal road that meanders through the nature reserve Pinal de Barbate, a wide row of dunes filled with pine trees.
Active
Surfing is the main activity in Los Caños de Meca. But there are also other things to do, such as walking and playing golf (20 minutes away by car, near Vejer de la Frontera).
Family
The beach at Los Caños de Meca itself is the most suited for swimming.
In Tarifa you can catch a boat that will take you whale and dolphin spotting. In August and September you can even spot orcas here.
You can also head for the zoo in Jerez de la Frontera, or check out that city's horse riding school.
In Cádiz you can explore the tourist centre in a horse-drawn carriage.
Nature
The Parque Nacional de Coto Doñana on the other side of the water can be reached by boat from Sanlúcar de Barrameda (92km; 1h25min).
This park is one of Europe’s largest swamp lands. This area is especially important for birds. Over 250 bird species have been spotted here, half of which come here to over-winter, such as the spoonbill, stork and the particular favourite of most visitors, the flamingo.
The best time of year to visit this park is winter or spring. In the summer and autumn the swamps are dry, although that is when visitors get excited about spotting deer, boar, buffalos and otters. With a good guide and some luck, you might even spot a lynx.
Between Tarifa and Arcos de la Frontera you will find Los Alcornocales nature reserve. This area is made up by cork tree forests, easily recognized by the painted trees.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Vejer de la Frontera (16km; 18min)
A lovely white village that is 10 km inland, sitting dominantly on top of a hill above the main road between Gibraltar and Cádiz. Vejer has a medieval centre, with very steep streets and alleys, beautiful whitewashed houses, ramparts and a Moorish fortress.
Medina Sidonia (43km; 45min)
The white village of Medina Sidonia (between Vejer de la Frontera and Jerez de la Frontera) is imposingly nestled on a hill surrounded by grain fields. The village’s most striking monument is the Santa María la Coronada church in the higher part of the village. This village is known for its traditional sweet biscuits with honey and almond, alfajores. You can purchase these delights from the bakery on the Plaza de España, among other places.
Cádiz (61km; 1h):
The modern part of Cádiz is a busy port. A visit to this city would not be complete without a walk along the quays. The old town is contained by fortifications that rise up from the sea. Within the ring of walls and fortresses there are houses and palaces from the 18th and 19th century, side by side with run-down quarters and squares with plenty of bar and cafes.
The city’s sights include the Castillo de Santa Catalina, a bulwark right on the tip of the small peninsula. In the centre you will find the cathedral, Catedral Nueva, and the Museo de Cádiz on one of the city’s nicest squares, the Plaza de Mina. And then there are a number of interesting churches.
Tarifa (65km; 1h):
The Moorish town of Tarifa is on the eastern edge of the Costa de la Luz. This area is dominated by the many wind turbines lining the hill tops. It is a windy place, and hence also a great place for windsurfing. Tarifa is the Mecca of windsurfing! Windsurf and kitesurf fanatics are drawn to Tarifa and give the place an informal, alternative flair and atmosphere with their hippy-like attitudes and style.
Surfers dominate the flat beach of the Valle de Vaqueros, just north of Tarifa. This is where they flock to try out new techniques and materials, and is where new trends are born. It all makes for a fascinating spectacle, even if you are not into surfing.
Jerez de la Frontera (74km; 1h10min):
Jerez is the sherry capital of the world. A tour of one of its bodegas (Sandeman, Pedro Domecq, Gonzalez Byass) is not only good fun, but you will also learn something. How to distinguish fino from amontillado or oloroso sherry, for example.
Jerez is also famous for its horse riding school, the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Escuestre. Apart from visiting a show here, visitors can also attend lessons and tour the stables.
Other sights include the inviting cafes on the Plaza Asunción and the old town hall from 1575, Casa de Cabildo Viejo. The San Mateo quarter is famous for its flamenco bars, and is also where you will find the official flamenco centre: Centro Andaluz de Flamenco.
Arcos de la Frontera (82km; 1h25min):
Arcos is one of Andalucía’s finest little towns; it often serves as a base from which to explore the pueblos blancos (white villages); its entire medieval centre has been declared a Historic Monument. In Arcos you should just stroll around its cobblestone streets, past small whitewashed houses, its many squares and its patios. Arcos’ oldest building is the Castillo, a dilapidated castle that is strategically situated on top of the hill. From the town walls you have a great view of the Guadalete valley. Other sights include the churches Iglesia de Santa María de la Asunción, Iglesia de los Jesuitas and the Iglesia de San Pedro.
And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Seville (161km; 1h55min):
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.