Mountain of repose

APPROPRIATELY dubbed the ‘City of Dreams’ by Dutch poet Rilke there are plenty of excellent places to stay in the Ronda area.

In the heart of the city you are spoilt for emblematic choices, including En Frente Arte and Hotel San Gabriel.

But if you are looking for good value and location nowhere can beat La Colegiata, which is sited in the most atmospheric square in the old town.

Here, you can really feel the weight of history and the charming Belgium-run hotel has been nicely renovated and its rooms are comfortable.

In the countryside nearby are some of Andalucia’s most stylish hotels.

These include stylish Fuente de la Higuera, where British Prime Minister David Cameron has stayed, and Molino del Arco, which is a joy to visit, even if just for its amazing landscaped gardens.

The family home of local landowner and anglophile Juan Clavero, who has a splendid eye for detail, it sits in a privileged position in the nearby Sierra de Salinas.

You might also want to consider Molino del Puente, run by friendly English couple Ian and Elaine Love, who also have one of the area’s best restaurants.

A bit further away in Benaojan you must certainly consider incredible Molino del Santo, a classic rural retreat, which has been serving the area for nearly three decades.

Run by English couple Pauline and Andy, the hotel – number two in Andalucia, according to Trip Advisor – has the knack of keeping guests happy with just the right mix of comfort, good food and character.

Best of all, it counts on one of the best restaurants in Andalucia, run by its fantastic resident chef Gordon Brown.

Closer to Ronda, in the charming village of Arriate, you will find a number of great places to stay.

The first, Hotel Arriadh, has been providing weary travellers with lodgings for over a decade in the hills above the town with the most amazing views imaginable.

Run by friendly Peruvian Eduardo, you will feel like you are staying in someone’s home.

Also in the village is the excellent Hotel Embrujo, run by friendly Esther from Valladolid. It has a basement spa and is a minute walk from around a dozen tapas bars.

Meanwhile Poet’s Cottage is a charming village house, with three bedrooms that can be rented from just 200 euros for the weekend.

Finally, if you are looking for real luxury, then plan to stay a long weekend in the amazing Alcantarilla estate, which sits in two hectares of amazing gardens with stunning views.

An authentic farmhouse in Ronda’s Llano de la Cruz valley, it dates back to Moorish (and even possibly Roman) times, and has seven bedrooms but can be split into two parts.

For campers, by far your best option is Camping Sur, a short walk into Ronda, with its own shop and restaurant, while a new complex Cedro Alto, near Montejaque, offers comfortable ‘casitas’ and apartments at great prices.

A little further away in Jimena you will find two splendid places to stay.

If complete comfort is what you’re really after, look no further than the sumptuous Hostel Anon – a romantic getaway that always comes highly recommended.

Last, but certainly not least, if you are looking for something even more rural then head to La Vina de Linan, a luxury B&B sitting in wonderful surroundings in the countryside perfectly located near the Hozgarganta river.