Hotel Cortijo Bravo
Vélez-Málaga
Just outside the city of Veléz Málaga, a brand-spanking new hotel has been started up. The initiator is a group of companies that have invested jointly in this project and have between them many years of experience in the hotel business.
And it is more than clear that there is money behind it, fabulous!!
First you come driving up on a wide lane, circled by splendid large white oleanders. After you drive along a gentle curve, you are suddenly eye to eye with the cortijo. Snow white with the blue sky behind it, it takes your breath away as it slowly sinks in that you will be staying here!! The cortijo was designed in the Andalusian romantic style, and has an extraordinarily spacious set-up, huge parking lot, large beautifully designed gardens surrounding it (a gigantic garden centre is one of the participating partners) and you see the large crystal-clear swimming pool in the distance.
Once inside you arrive at the cool patio, with a splashing fountain in the middle of course.
There are 20 very spacious and comfortable rooms that have been arranged differently but all of which have been based on a combined Andalusian/British style. In addition there is 24/7 room service.
The restaurant is half inside and half outside. Depending on the weather and your preference you have the choice of where you will enjoy the high-class culinary level of food that is cooked here. The menu features Mediterranean and Andalusian dishes and the wine choices offer some wonderful surprises under the cork.
At some distance from the hotel there is the swimming pool, consciously, so as not to disturb people in the hotel with the unavoidable noises that go along with having a pool. In addition you can use the pool 24 hours a day!
There is an abundance of activities with which to fill your day. The cortijo is in a beautiful location, the beach is nearby, as are the golf links, nature and the Pueblos Blancos.
A fantastic initiative where every detail has been seen to. And this continues to be the case during each guest’s stay. Start thinking about what your favourite pillow is, for example, because you can indicate this at check-in!
Cons:
• We really have tried our best, but we can find no disadvantages
Pros:
• Extremely beautifully set up and nicely cared for, both in and around the hotel
• Everything brand-spanking new but still in the well-known cortijo style
• Outstanding restaurant, high culinary level
• Splendid swimming pool a short distance from the hotel in order not to disturb other guests
• Given the luxury and the attention that has gone into the hotel we found the prices to be lower than expected, also those of the restaurant
• A quiet spot, yet with the excitement of the Costa only a short distance away; all the options are yours
Hotel Cortijo Bravo
facilities
Hotel
- There is a restaurant where you can have both lunch and dinner. Price for lunch or dinner approx. € 35 pp.
- Bar.
- Swimming pool that you can use 24 hours a day
- Large, spacious garden.
- Hotel does not have an internet connection.
- Children are welcome.
- One room with wheelchair access.
- Lift.
- Pets are not welcome.
- There are four mountain bikes available for guests and two for children
- The hotel offers a range of different excursions/activities.
- Hotel has its own parking facilities (free of charge).
- Hotel is located near Vélez-Málaga (5 mins away by car).
Rooms
Every room has air conditioning, heating, TV and a safe. In total 10 rooms have its own balcony or terrace. The rooms do not have a minibar but there is a 24-hour service for drinks (with no extra charge for bringing drinks or food).
Fully-equipped bathrooms with shower & toilet. Some rooms have a bath.
Hotel has 20 rooms including:
5 Double rooms Type A: with shower, double bed 135cm or 160cm wide, views at the Sierra.
8 Double rooms Type B: with bath, double bed 160cm or kingsize 180cm wide, view at the Sierra or pool.
4 Double rooms Type C: with shower or bath, double beds 160cm or 180cm wide or twin beds. These rooms have their own balcony or terrace area.
1 Double room Type D: with bath, twin beds and its own terrace area.
2 Double rooms Type E: with bath, double bed 180cm wide and its own terrace area.
Hotel Cortijo Bravo
surrounding area
Vélez-Málaga
Some 5 kilometres inland from Torre del Mar you will find this market town in the fertile valley of the Vélez. It’s an area that is characterised by greenhouses used for agriculture. The old Moorish city is dominated by the Fortaleza de Vélez, a fortress with a restored tower that sticks up into the air from a rock point. Directly beneath lies the neighbourhood Barrio de San Sebastián with its small cobblestone streets and white houses.
Active
All sorts of active sports can be done in the neighbourhood of Vinuela, such as walking, biking, 4x4 Jeep safaris, excursions on quad, canoeing and cave exploration.
And naturally you can make use of a golf course.
Family
In Torre del Mar there is a water park with various slides and swimming pools.
You can also pay a visit to the grottoes in Nerja.
Nature
Car trips through the beautiful hills of Montes de Málaga, a vast area with lots of wildlife, such as wild cats, beech martens, wild boars and birds of prey.
Also a visit to El Torcal near Antequera is worth the trouble (see below).
Beach
The closest beach is in Torre del Mar. The quiet family beach of Rincón de la Victoria lies between Vélez-Málaga and Málaga.
The following nature parks/cities in the area are worth a visit:
Nerja (24km; 20min):
This town with over 500 years of history has retained its character, with its whitewashed houses, narrow streets and squares. Tourists crowd the Balcón de Europa, a sprawling rock that spectacularly protrudes into the sea and offers a view of the magnificent coastline. This natural balcony is in the centre of Nerja. Various staircases lead down to the beaches and bays.
The nicest beach is Playa Burriana, on the eastern side of Nerja.
Further east you will find the Cuevas de Nerja, a string of caverns of great archaeological importance. Only a few of these colossal caverns are open to the public, and there you will be lead past the world’s thickest stalactite, which even made it into the Guinness Book of Records in 1989.
Málaga (35km;35min)
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.
Other museums that can be visited are the Casa Natal de Picasso, the birthplace of the painter; Centro de Arte Contemporaneo, where an overview of 20th-century art is shown; Museo Unicaja de Artes y Costumbres Populares: here life in the area as it was in the past is shown.
And don't forget to sample the wines of Malaga in a bodega. Some bodegas also serve tapas.
To the east of Málaga, in the direction of Vélez Málaga, lies the quiet family beach of Rincón de la Victoria.
Antequera / Parque Natural El Torcal (81km; 1h10min)
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.
And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Granada (104km; 1h40min):
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 (190km; 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.
Sevilla (240km; 2h40min):
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.