Apartment in Historic Ronda

A delightful 2 bedroom apartment that sleeps 4 comfortably, and could sleep 5 if needed, is available for weekly rent in a historic part of central Ronda, and is only a short walk to all of the most popular tapas bars and monuments.

The apartment is a much loved family residence, and decorated tastefully for comfort, with ceramic tiled floors, polished wooden doors and windows, and good ventilation. The apartment overlooks a quaint square, the “Plaza de la Oscuridad” with a small fountain, and is considered to be in a good location.

Facilities include 2 bedrooms, which include a large double bed, a single bed, and a fold out sofa bed. An extra single bed can be arranged if required. There are 2 bathrooms, each with a shower, as well as a large living room, and good sized kitchen. Towels and bed linen are provided.

The owner of the apartment is friendly and hospitable, and has offered to help guests familiarise themselves with Ronda, and would be willing take you on a short guided walk of the city. From the apartment, Ronda’s main shopping street, Calle La Bola, is just 3 minutes walk, whilst the main bar and restaurant district is only a minute further.

Prices are quoted in Euros under Spanish law, though it is possible to pay in British pounds as well.
Rental Prices per Week

To book this apartment, please contact Claire Conway on +34 669 86 15 35 or by email, info@andaluciamadeeasy.com and mention you saw this property on Ronda Today.

Di and John, the hosts at Los Castanos welcomed me in Ronda, a service they often provide for guests, and we had lunch in a favourite bar on the outskirts of Ronda before heading to the hotel to settle in and get to know the area.

My first impressions of arriving at the hotel were coloured by the weather, walking to the main entrance with my head down to avoid rain drizzle hitting me in the face, and then looking up and seeing the church belfry towering over the hotel which looked quite small, yet is in fact very large.

With a handful of rooms it is easy to think of Los Castanos as a small hotel, but entering through the 18th century doors and turning to view the salon immediately impresses on you how large the hotel building is, certainly more than big enough for couples wanting to get away and relax for a spell.

Los Castanos Hotel Room

I was taken to my room by Di, with good intentions of giving me the grand tour, she showed me the facilities, the bar fridge, the tea and coffee, air conditioning, emergency procedures, then the phone rang; we were in the midst of the great Icelandic ash cloud and several of Di’s guests weren’t able to return home or were stuck in transit, so as needs must my tour of the terrace was cut short.

This worked in my favour, I had the chance to throw open the bedroom window and terrace doors, and simply stand on my own private terrace whilst I soaked up the sounds and smells of Cartajima and the Alto Genal. Nearby I heard men chatting at the Ayntamiento, and over there the sound of rushing water, I later discovered Cartajima sits on the edge of a small valley with a lively stream coursing its way through.

A keen walker I am, so a short adventure around the village was called for, and with camera in hand, I claimed my right to explore the nooks and crannies of the village, discovering places many of the locals may not even know – actually that’s a lie, but I thought a nice turn of phrase nevertheless.

Cartajima is very small, but sits in the heart of some of the Serranía’s most spectacular scenery so I understand why Los Castanos get so many walking guests. Birdwatching around these parts is a favourite activity, and you’ll often see twitchers parked on the side of the road staring at the mountains.

Several evenings Di cooks for guests, and on my night we had all decided to stay in, and what a surprise, five of us were entertained by John over pre-dinner drinks around the fireplace, and then Di called us to our places. Normally guests eat at separate tables, but as we were all enjoying the company we pushed and dragged our tables together much to Di’s amusement.

The entree was a delicious miniature red pepper filled with cheese and what I think was fish, certainly the blends of tastes made it difficult to identify individual ingredients, however they came together in spectacular fusion.

The main course was a dish I’ve never tried before, beef squares with prunes cooked in a traditional Moroccan stewing dish known as a Tajine, then served with Cous Cous and a side of green salad. Di is very modest so blushed like a school girl from our compliments, deserved as they were; her beef and prune tagine is something I’ll be requesting on my next trip.

I stayed up late talking to another guest, a chap who had recently founded a new publishing house, and I believe we stayed up till 1am sipping a rather nice red bought locally, I believe from Bodega Joaquin Fernandez.

Before breakfast the next morning I wandered the streets of the village as it started to wake, and explored parts of the valley with it’s olive groves and almond trees, all the while serenaded with bird song. I’d slept well, Los Castanos have very supportive mattresses on their beds, so I was ready for a climb and the hills above Cartajima were not going to defeat me, and I’m glad I did because the views from above looking over Cartajima toward Parauta are well worth seeing.

If you’d like to stay at Los Castanos Hotel with Di and John, here are the hotel contact details;

Los Castanos, Calle Iglesia 40, Cartajima 29452, Málaga, Spain
Tel: (+34) 952 180 778
Mob: (+34) 696 081 354
email: reservations@loscastanos.com
web: www.loscastanos.com

Nieves with Bjorn Heidenstrom

Finding a hotel in Ronda is easy, there are so many to choose from, but not all hotels are created equal. Hotel Ronda located next to the Casa del Rey Moro (The Moorish King’s House) is one of these delightful little hotels most people only hear about after their holiday in Ronda.

Quite simply, most hotel booking and review websites or travel guides mention the biggest hotels, or best advertisers and it can be very difficult to find the smaller hotels that you should probably stay at, or would if a friend recommended it. Hotel Ronda is one of these small boutique hotels that really deserves a mention.

Nieves, the lady who owns the hotel is also the person who does everything, she’s the lady who greets you on arrival, in fact Nieves is proud that her little hotel is so cosy. Guests who stay here agree and happily ask to sign her guest book.

With just five rooms, you can be sure Hotel Ronda isn’t going to be crowded, and each room is spacious with reverse cycle air conditioning, a television, decent sized bathroom with modern shower, and every room includes a wardrobe.

Located in the heart of Ronda’s casco antigua (the old quarter) the hotel is centrally located for all of Ronda’s main tourist highlights. The Arab Baths, Puente Nuevo, Moorish King’s House, Salvatierra Palace, and San Sebastian Minaret are all less than 100 metres from Hotel Ronda. Ronda’s famous bullring is only 250 metres from Hotel Ronda.

Many of the best Ronda restaurants are also very close by, and being in the old Moorish quarter of Ronda, it’s a quicker walk to restaurants such as El Predicatorio, Almocabar, Duquesa de Parcent, La Pilastra, or Alminar than being in the new part of Ronda. In addition, the hotel and the street it’s in are charming examples what people expect to see in an Andalusian pueblo.

Nieves also proudly states that Hotel Ronda is gay friendly, has free Internet, and is convenient for Ronda cycling, you can even bring your bicycle into your room. In fact Hotel Ronda was chosen by Bjorn Heidenstrom when he recently visited Ronda on his cycling trip from Norway to Cape Town because he was able to bring his bike and trailer into his room for safe keeping. Read our coverage of Bjorn Heidenstrom in Ronda to learn more.

Hotel Ronda Contact Details

Master Bedroom

Beautiful Ronda is in the center of Andalusia, making Casa Sofia the smart choice for savvy travelers.

This Ronda vacation rental has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Large terrace with city and mountain views. In the heart of Ronda’s old town.

Casa Sofia is a three-story vacation house in the exclusive La Ciudad quarter. The old quarter is laid out like a medina, perched on a hill overlooking a spectacular gorge. Lots of history at your doorstep. From Julius Caesar to Ernest Hemingway.

Today, Ronda features more than 12 local wineries, two Michelin restaurants, and some of the best hiking, cycling and horse trails in Spain.

Attend Feria Goyesca bull fights in September. Or drive to Cordoba, Granada & Seville. Less than 2 hours away. Ideal for families, 100-percent safe for kids.

This Ronda vacation house features a cook’s kitchen, private dining room and a writer’s hideaway with fireplace.

Casa Sofia Contact Details

Casa Sofia Gallery

Imagine a quiet haven away from the crowds, in the heart of Ronda’s Moorish quarter, a house that one could easily believe was once owned by a wealthy Moorish trader, and now your home away from home, in Ronda, Andalusia.

Baraka B&B is this place; a unique bespoke hotel in Ronda, with just three rooms, situated in a quiet pedestrian alleyway. The internal patio is the centrepiece of the entire house, the stars forming the ceiling. A central staircase winds it’s way to the roof, where a sun drenched terrace awaits, offering views of the hills surrounding Ronda.

Each of the rooms are individually decorated; Safra, the yellow room with mudejar ceiling; Warda, the rose room with quaint Arabic decorations; Salama, the room of tranquility. Baraka B&B is decorated in a style reminiscent of the Arabic world from which the hotel is named.

Picture yourself waking from a good night’s sleep, and the smell of fresh Arabic coffee wafting through the house, the birds singing in the trees of the garden across the street, far away from home yet undeniably at home as well. Oh, if only you could stay forever.

After a leisurely breakfast, wander the streets of Ronda as the tiendas and cafés open their doors; the air has a fresh kiss and feels wonderful, the noises of a market town waking up. Do you see why we call Ronda the city of dreams, La Ciudad Soñada?

Baraka B&B is just a short walk to the Casa del Rey Moro, Forestier’s Gardens, and Ronda’s Water Mine. A little further and you’re standing on Calle Armiñan, the main thoroughfare of the old quarter. The Puente Nuevo isn’t far either, and offers a magnificent spot for watching the sun rise over the roofs of Ronda’s hanging houses.

Hotel Baraka B&B Contact Details

Hotel Baraka B&B Gallery

Finca Retama Pool

Located only a few minutes from Ronda, Finca Retama has the advantage of space to move and relax yet still close enough to Ronda to see all the main attractions. Set on several acres of private farmland, much of it dedicated to fruit orchards, guests will find everything they need on arrival including a large 15 metre swimming pool, fully fenced, and inviting.

Casa Abuela (Grandmother’s House) is a fully detached casita decorated with beautiful Berber rugs, modern comfortable furniture, and tastefully chosen fittings. Two large double bedrooms, and a fold out settee comfortably cater for up to 6 adults.

The main bedroom includes a large en-suite and plenty of wardrobe space, whilst the second bedroom includes two large single beds, although these are easily moved to create a King size bed for couples.

Lifestyle hasn’t been forgotten in the design of Casa Abuela, the casita has a large fully equipped kitchen, open plan dining and living room, and a large LCD TV with DVD and British Freeview channels. Outside, guests will find a large covered terrace bordered by mature rose bushes, and complemented with hanging baskets for the perfect home away from home holiday.

Finca Retama, the self-contained apartment in the top level of the main house is a spacious and fully equipped let with all of the same modern conveniences you’d expect and room for larger families. The building is a traditional Andalusian farmhouse built with metre thick walls, none of which are straight.

Guests often choose Finca Retama over comparable accommodation simply for the ambience. Every room has views over the surrounding countryside and Finca Retama is far enough away from the big city lights to be able to sit on the private balcony enjoying a late night barbeque and a sky full of stars.

Finca Retama Contact Details

Finca Retama Gallery