Hotel Palacio Blanco
Vélez-Málaga
A while ago, we were watching the British programme 'Build a New Life in the Country' which in this particular instance was set in Vélez-Málaga, Southern Spain.
The episode in question featured Nick and Lesley from England who risked everything when they bought an old rundown building, completely renovated it and consequently realised their dream: a luxurious boutique hotel.
We watched the programme in astonishment and with respect as they endured setback after setback and showed great perseverance. When we saw the end result, we soon decided that we had to see this with our own eyes. And so we did, and we are suitably impressed. Nick, an architect, has created an original design, the entire hotel has been built around a patio in a modern style, and Lesley has put all her creativity into decorating the interior. They proudly showed us around their hotel and knowing how much blood, sweat and tears has gone into the place, we really take our hats off to them.
This building was once an old derelict town house, now it is a luxury boutique hotel, yet at entirely reasonable prices. The hotel has 8 rooms, all of which are centred around the patio where you can enjoy having breakfast to the soothing sounds of the small fountain. There is also a small swimming pool on the roof and a sun terrace where, after a day of sightseeing, you can enjoy a relaxing lie down on one of the sun loungers with a view of the town.
As for the rooms, they have all been furnished in a timeless classic style, incorporating classy influences and, to quote Nick and Lesley, a sensual touch.
Promising, but after all, everything has been created with a lot of love and great attention to detail. Add to this the beautiful spacious showers, big beds and handy gadgets such as flat screen TVs, Wi-Fi internet and iPod docking stations and you are talking about a hotel of its time that has got it all.
A charming, very well presented place and Nick and Lesley are always around to see to your every need.
Cons:
• Hotel is a former townhouse so there is no real outdoor space apart from the patio and sun terrace
• On-road parking
Pros:
• Nick and Lesley are clearly the proud owners and as such can be found at the hotel every day, so plenty of personal attention and care
• Hotel and rooms have been decorated and furnished with a lot of love and enthusiasm
• Reasonably priced hotel
• Situated within half an hour's drive from Malaga airport and a short tram ride from the beach
Hotel Palacio Blanco
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.