Hotel Cortijo ¨La Fe¨

After spending many years on Mallorca, French couple Dominique and Richard, decided to buy an old farmhouse and put their efforts into restoring it into the glorious property it is now, a stunning cortijo nestled in a dream spot in a beautiful valley.
This really is one of those places where upon arrival you breathe a deep sigh of contentment and feel the stresses and strains of everyday life leave your body.
A dynamic Dominique was full of enthusiasm as she showed us around her cortijo, and rightly so, because who wouldn't be enthusiastic about this place!

There are 7 wonderful rooms on offer and the entire place oozes tranquillity. As you throw the windows wide open, you are greeted by the sounds of crickets, the smell of flowers and a gentle breath of wind. How relaxing is this?
The rooms have been lovingly furnished, with the guests' comfort in mind, in a very personal, charming style which is totally in keeping with the rural surroundings. Crisp cotton bed linen, handmade rugs on the floor, quality mattresses and pillows and all the rooms offer views of the beautiful valley. There are even 2 rooms with a fireplace.

Meals are available on request and are prepared by Richard who uses plenty of fresh organic produce from their own garden. This delicious food can be enjoyed on the terrace in the shade of the grapevines or, if it is a little bit too chilly, in the dining room by a nice roaring fire. After your meal, you can relax with a good book in the lounge, with bookshelves filled with books that show the couple's love of travel, and of course, here too, you will find the ubiquitous fireplace.

Cortijo La Fé also has a few surprises up its sleeve, which makes this place so special.
The beautiful “Notre Dame of Angels”, for instance, a little chapel which has been fully restored to its former glory.
On top of that, there is the “Hammam”, a traditional Turkish bath where you can relax to your heart's content. It is beautifully finished with Moroccan tiles and various massage treatments are available on request.


This is a stunning, special place, partly because of the infectious enthusiasm of the owners.

Cons:
• The only thing we can come up with is that there are a few lumps and bumps in the surface of the long road leading up to the property but certainly nothing an ordinary car can't cope with

Pros:
• The estate oozes a wonderful, timeless feeling of tranquillity
• Stunningly furnished and decorated
• Fantastic location in a beautiful valley
• Friendly and enthusiastic owners
• Fabulous breakfast

facilities

Hotel

- The owners cook for their guests (not on a daily basis).
- Swimming pool.
- Garden.
- Relaxing in the hotel´s Hammam.
- Hotel does not have an internet connection.
- Children are welcome.
- No rooms with wheelchair access.
- No lift.
- Pets are not welcome.
- Hotel has its own parking facilities (free).
- Hotel is in the countryside, at about 15 minutes from Montefrío.

Rooms

Every room has heating and a fan. The rooms don´t have a mini-bar but the hotel´s kitchen can be used. Only in the salon is a TV.
Fully-equipped bathrooms.
Hotel has 7 rooms, including 3 standard double rooms (Mezquita Azul, Sahara and Al´Andalus), 2 double rooms Deluxe (The Alhambra and Nazari), 1 triple room (Mamounia) and 1 Suite for 4 persons (Suite del Califato).

rates, terms & conditions

surrounding area

Montefrío
As you drive up to Montefrío, you are presented with a fabulous view of tiled roofs and whitewashed houses. Set above the village are the remnants of Moorish fortifications. In the village centre, you will find the 17th century Iglesia de la Encarnación, of neoclassical design. Montefrío is also known for its pork products.

Granada (67km; 1h):
Anyone visiting Granada will have heard of the Alhambra, the city’s main attraction. 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. A miniature town in its own right, a world of palaces, beautiful gardens with ponds and fountains, a fortress, baths, museums, a church, and even a hotel.
The Generalife, to the north of the Alhambra, was the Nasrid sultans' country retreat. They would find some welcome relief from the intrigue at the court here, and enjoy some peace and quiet. Generalife translates as ‘the garden of heavenly paradise’.
On the hill opposite the Alhambra, the Albayzín quarter, is where Granada’s Moorish past is still most tangible. Stroll around 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!
When you get tired of strolling, you can take an Arab bath at one of Granada's 2 hammans, the Aljibe Baños Arabes or the Hamman Baños Arabes.
And Granada also happens to be one of the hippest cities in Andalucía, with great nightlife, lively flamenco shows and tapas culture.
Granada is also a good place to learn Spanish or take dancing lessons.

Active
At about 25 km from Granada you will find the Sierra Nevada ski resort. The Sierra Nevada mountain range has the highest peaks in Europe, after the Alps. In Pradollano, at 2100 metres, there is the Sierra Nevada Ski Station, with around 70 pistes (mainly blue and red ones), with a total length of 80 km.
During the summer months you can go for walks here.

Cultural
Granada is a cultural city, with plenty on offer! Be sure to catch the Alhambra and the Generalife (it is recommended to reserve tickets well before you head for Granada, because the number of visitors admitted every day is limited to a maximum).
Anyone with an interest in Spanish literature will have heard of Federico García Lorca. This world famous poet and playwright is closely intertwined with Granada. His birthplace in Fuente Vaqueros, about 20km west of Granada, is open to the public. And there is also the Lorca Museum, the Huerta de San Vicente, an estate on the edge of Granada.
And to top it all off, Granada also makes for a great destination for shopping, and to take in a few flamenco shows.

Family
The Parque de las Ciencias is a great place to introduce children to science. You will find it 2 km south of Granada. There are numerous activities on offer here. Including experiments that let you experience, for example, what it is like to be inside a beehive or a mini-tornado.

The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Alhama de Granada (50km; 50min):
Alhama de Granada is beautifully situated, balancing on sprawling rocks over a gorge, and it has a compact, nicely renovated Moorish centre. The village received its name, derived from the word alhamma, from the hot springs that you can still visit at the Hotel Balneario on the edge of the village.
In the higher part of the village, behind the Iglesia del Carmen church, a plateau offers stunning views of the deep gorge of the Alhama river.

And you can, of course, head for one of the other 2 world famous cities for a day trip:
Córdoba (133km; 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.

Sevilla (240km; 3h):
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.