Hotel El Convento
Arcos de la Frontera
If you are looking for an authentic Spanish hotel, and then preferably one where you have great views from your room, do not wait any longer, book a room here!!
Hotel El Convento is located in the middle of the stunning and popular white village of Arcos de la Frontera, which is draped over a massive rock formation.
The majority of the rooms in this hotel have their own terrace, but vertigo sufferers beware, on the other side of fence there is a great depth, which may be too much for some, but is definitely very spectacular!! The view from your terrace is truly unforgettable. And the hotel also has a large common terrace, where you can also enjoy breakfast.
The rooms are all decorated in truly Spanish style, without any excesses, but neat and clean. All rooms have air conditioning, TV and a good bathroom.
The hotel does not have a restaurant, but the village of Arcos de la Frontera, which is a popular tourist attraction, offers a wide range of dining facilities, all at walking distance from the hotel.
One last thing we should point out is that the hotel has a no-children policy, as a means of preventing accidents. Not because the terraces are dangerous, but with small children there will still always be that latent worry. However, if you have children you can stay at another hotel of the same owners, the Hotel Olivos, also in Arcos de la Frontera, which we has also made it onto our list of Andalusian gems on the Las Perlas website. With an equally spectacular setting, but just that little bit more secure, see elsewhere on this website.
Cons:
• The hotel is right in the middle of the village, with its narrow streets, so parking nearby in the street is out of the question. There are car parks in the area.
Pros:
• The views, phenomenal!!
• Typically Spanish-style hotel, basic but very well looked after.
Hotel El Convento
facilities
Hotel
- There is no restaurant where you can have lunch or dinner, but there are restaurants at walking distance.
- Bar.
- Hotel does not have an internet connection.
- Children are welcome.
- No rooms with wheelchair access.
- No lift.
- Pets are not welcome.
- Hotel does not have its own parking facilities. Parking in the street or in a public car park.
- Hotel is situated in the old centre of Arcos de la Frontera.
Rooms
Every room has air conditioning, heating, TV and its own balcony or terrace.
Bathroom with washbasin, bathtub, toilet and hairdryer.
Hotel has a total of 13 rooms, comprising 8 double rooms with private terrace, 4 double rooms with French windows and 1 single room with French windows.
Hotel El Convento
surrounding area
Arcos de la Frontera
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.
The town hall, the ayuntamiento on the Plaza de Cabildo, is also worth a visit because of its fine mudejar-style ceilings.
And Arcos is also well-known for its hand-woven tapestry.
Culinary
Pay a visit to a sherry bodega in nearby Jerez de la Frontera, the global capital of sherry production.
Cultural
Plenty of options for a cultural day out in nearby cities, such as Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz and Ronda (see below). And a tour past the pueblos blancos (white villages) is also a great option.
Family
You can head for the zoo in Jerez de la Frontera. This zoo is one of the best ones in Andalucía. It has over 400 animal species on show. The Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre is also a real must.
You can also go down to Cádiz and do its centre in a horse-drawn carriage. These set off from the Plaza de San Juan de Dios.
The Cortijo is also a good base for walks and trips on horseback in the surrounding area.
Nature
The Parque Nacional de Coto Doñana on the other side of the water can be reached by boat from Sanlúcar. 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 Arcos de la Frontera and Tarifa you will find the nature reserve Los Alcornocales. 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:
Jerez de la Frontera (33km; 40min):
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.
Cádiz (65km; 55min):
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, the baroque church Oratorio de San Felipe Neri and the Oratorio de la Santa Cueva.
Ronda (86km; 1h25min):
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.
And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Seville (87km; 1h15min):
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 (227km; 2h50min):
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.