Iona Napier
THE Costa de la Luz is literally bursting with hip places to stay from beachside gems to inland cortijos and from grand townhouses to campsites.
In Vejer you would be hard pressed to beat the seminal Casa de Califa, in the town’s loveliest square, surrounded by its best restaurants.
The Moorish building sits around a charming central patio, where guests take breakfast and dine under candlelight each evening.
Historic in the extreme, the building oozes history and has been extremely well renovated.
However if you are after something more rustic, then you will love Hotel El Indiviso, where Swiss watchmaker Didier and his wife have just opened a charming boutique hotel.
Set in rolling Vejer bull-rearing territory, the 200 year old farmhouse has metre thick walls and little to suggest much has changed for a couple of centuries.
Beautifully renovated, it counts its old cobbles, doors and window ‘rejas’, and has been stylishly decorated with comfort at a premium.
Children will love the play area and pool, while active adults will be thrilled with the attached riding stables, where guests can rent one of the 65 well cared for stallions and head out from the door on some stunning local rides.
Another great country option on the other side of town is Hotel Sindhuru, which is peace personified with some of the most amazing views.
Run by friendly Ana and her husband, it has a lovely pool and, best of all, its own exceptionally good Italian restaurant Pepperoncino.
Nearby, right on the beach, in Canos de Meca, is Madreselva, set around a central courtyard and with a decent pool for the kids to splash in.
A short drive inland and you will find the charming hotel La Vista in the white town of Medina Sidonia, which is fantastically sited for visits to all the main towns, as well as Jerez, Cadiz and Sanlucar.
Sitting in one of the most amazing top-of-the-town locations it has views to die for and a restaurant to boot. Its leafy garden is one of those classic chill out spots, you never want to leave.
In Tarifa you have an equally good group of stylish hotels.
On the beach, the best established is the Hurricane, which is now 25 years old and run by the coast’s long-serving expats, brothers James and Peter Whalley, who also own the more luxurious Punta Sur across the road.
Both hotels have their own restaurants and serve up a great range of activities on the beach and in the hotel, including pilates and yoga classes every day plus a brand new spa.
Two other excellent options in the heart of Tarifa itself are the Pink House and Casa Amarilla.
The Pink House, where Sir Winston Churchill once stayed, has an amazing roof terrace with views across to Africa and some superb value rooms. It has free wifi and a laundry service.
Casa Amarilla offers great value apartments in the heart of the town right next to all the hotels. The charming 19th century building has central heating for winter and is near all the shops and just 200m from the beach.
Last, but definitely not least, if you are looking for one of the best beachside escapes then Hotel Antonio in Zahara de los Atunes is wonderful.
Sitting right on one of Andalucia’s top beaches, this is a great value and professionally run hotel with an amazing restaurant to match.
