Hotel Las Casas del Consul
Úbeda
The lovely little town of Úbeda is a great place to spend a few days, to explore its historic centre.
And a special town naturally comes with a special hotel, Las Casas del Consul. Small-scale, cosy and beautifully decorated. The building that houses the hotel dates back to the 17th century, and was the property of a rich Spanish family of merchants during Úbeda’s golden age.
Las Casas del Consul has a perfect location, right on the edge of the historic centre on the Plaza del Marqués, the well-preserved old quarter is right outside the hotel door.
The hotel offers 10 rooms, which are booked up by visitors from all over the world, Úbeda is a popular place. The names of the rooms refer to female members of the family that lived in this building during Úbeda's illustrious past, and the rooms have all been decorated very stylishly with fine furniture. The rooms create a warm atmosphere with their hardwood floors and variety of antique accessories (even family heirlooms from the 19th century) combined with modern art, making every single one of the rooms into a unique piece of art.
The beds are of excellent quality, and quite large to boot.
Even the bathrooms are attractive to look at, modern and antique have also been blended superbly here. Sleek furniture against the backdrop of an old restored wall, alongside modern mosaics, it all looks great!
There is a swimming pool behind the hotel, as well as an ivy-covered patio and an inviting lawn.
Breakfast is on offer, but in the evenings the kitchen remains closed. But no need to worry, Úbeda has plenty of eateries where you can dine by diffuse light coming off an antique streetlamp on an old square, if only life could always be like this.
Cons:
• On-street parking, a long walk from the hotel, if you are unlucky.
Pros:
• Beautifully decorated hotel, past and present blended sophistically
• Small-scale and informal
• Perfect location, you walk right into the historic centre
Hotel Las Casas del Consul
facilities
Hotel
- There is no restaurant where you can have lunch or dinner.
- Bar.
- Swimming pool.
- Small garden.
- Hotel has an internet connection.
- Children are welcome.
- No rooms with wheelchair access.
- Small pets are welcome (less than 15 kg).
- Hotel does not have its own parking facilities. Parking in the street.
- Hotel is situated in the old centre.
Rooms
Spacious rooms. Every room has air conditioning, heating and a TV.
Spacious fully-equipped bathrooms.
Hotel has a total of 10 rooms, including 8 double rooms, 1 suite that is suitable for four people and a fully-equipped 3-bedroom apartment.
Hotel Las Casas del Consul
surrounding area
Úbeda
Úbeda, which sits on top of a ridge, is a model of renaissance architecture. The Plaza de Vázquez de Molina is the finest jewel in its crown of elegant palaces and churches. The narrow streets of the old town contrast sharply with the modern part of Úbeda, which stretches out to the north of the Plaza de Andalucía.
Sights in the old town include the aforementioned Plaza de Vázquez de Molina, with a 13th Century church, Iglesia de Santa María de los Reales Alcázares, and Úbeda's most famous church, the Sacra Capilla del Salvador. Other interesting buildings on this square are the Cárcel del Obispo (former Episcopal prison), the Antiguo Pósito (former grain warehouse) and the Palacio del Marqués de Mancera.
Other sights are the Plaza del Primero de Mayo and the Santa Clara convent.
Active
Walks, treks, 4x4 excursions, trips by bike or on horseback are all possible in the Parque Natural de Cazorla y Segura (at 45 km from Úbeda).
Culinary
Jaén province is Andalucía's main olive oil producing area. This is where 10% of the world’s olive oil is produced. So be sure to go for a tasting session at a co-op.
Cultural
Úbeda’s sister town of Baeza, as well as Jaén, are great places for a cultural outing within the province.
Nature
The town of Cazorla is the base from which to explore the nature reserve with the same name.
The Parque Natural de Cazorla y Segura opens up outside Cazorla, and has dense forests, wild streams and many wild animals. This nature reserve is a paradise for people looking to fill their vacation with exciting activities. The Cazorla tourist office and/or visitor centre of the nature reserve offer extensive information regarding walks, treks, trips by bike or on horseback, hunting, water sports and excursions in a 4x4.
And you can also go on a panoramic drive (one day) from Cazorla.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Baeza (11km; 20min):
Baeza is surrounded by olive groves, and was the first city in Al-Andalus to be conquered by the Christians. This conquest was followed by a period of medieval splendour. Examples are the Plaza de Santa Maria with the cathedral, and the architectural masterpiece Palacio de Jabalquinto (Gothic palace) is a little further down the road. Other sights include the Alhóndiga (old grain exchange), Antigua de Carnecería (former slaughterhouse) and the Fuente de los Leones (lions’ fountain).
Cazorla (45km; 50min):
The town of Cazorla is right in the middle of the nature reserve with the same name. This small town is impressively set at a height of 900m jammed between rugged rocks. A walk through its narrow, steep streets lined with whitewashed houses up to the Plaza de Corredera and the Plaza Santa Maria (Cazorla’s centre) is a very nice way of spending a day indeed. Higher up you will find the Moorish Castillo de la Yedra, which houses a folklore museum. And even further up you will find the remnants of the La Iruela fortress.
Jaén (61km; 1h5 min):
Jaén has a provincial feel, somewhat languid. The cityscape is dominated by the medieval Castillo de Santa Catalina on a hill overlooking the city, and by the immense renaissance cathedral.
The old, higher part of the city is the most interesting. Around the cathedral and in the Barrio San Juan you will find numerous townhouses along winding, steep streets. The city centre is full of shops and bars around the Plaza de la Constitución, which draws people with its many tapas bars.
Further sights include the 11th-century Moorish baths, Baños Arabes, the monastery Real Monasterio de Santa Clara and the museums Palacio de Villardompardo (folklore museum) and the Museo Provincial (archaeological museum).
And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Granada (125km; 1h50min):
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 (146km; 2h):
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.