Ronda is one of our favorite weekend getaway villages to go to from Marbella. Ronda is also the third most-visited destination in southern Spain – its two halves lie either side of the El Tajo gorge and are connected by the spectacular “New Bridge”. Finally completed in 1793 after forty years of construction, the scary yet beautiful Puente Nuevo is Ronda’s most famous attraction. It connects up El Mercadillo (The Market), the newer part of town, with La Ciudad (The Town), the old Moorish quarter and it reallt is breathtaking. Ronda also features a beautiful bullring dating back to 1785. This elegant, neo-classical structure is Spain’s oldest plaza de toros.
One of the reasons we love Ronda so much is the wine. The Serrania de Ronda wine route might be a fairly recent development but wine production has been linked to the area for thousands of years. Archeological findings have revealed much about the ancient wine making practices of the region. The Roman Empire even used nearby towns to produce wines and import them back to Rome. Luckily, vineyards that were cultivated long ago by the Romans, Moorish and Phoenicians have survived and are still scattered throughout the Andalusian countryside. Locally and internationally, wines from Ronda are garnering a great reputation for their unique aromas and flavours. The nature surrounding the town and bodegas is very special; the geology, proximity to the Mediterranean sea and micro-climate of Ronda create a clear individual flavour. In this sense, the wine on the Serrania de Ronda trail will give you a true taste of the nature and history of the town at every stop.
1. Fuente de la Higuera (also good with kids, but it’s the most romantic so best as a couple)
2. La Organic (not so good for kids as the pool is deep)
3. Los Pilares (also good with kids as they have a mini kids park and animals)
4. La Cueva del Gato (least suitable with kids)
5. La Perla Blanca + Bad Man Winery (also good with kids)
6. El Bodega Juncal (best pool for kids)
7. Hotel Reina Victoria (also good with kids, as they have a kids park)
1. La Fuente de la Higuera
Definitely my favorite hotel in Ronda so far - but more as a romantic escape with your loved one! It is suitable also for the little ones, but the place itself is romantic that we have always preferred to stay there as a couple. Based in a centuries-old millhouse surrounded by olive groves, the centrepiece of the lovingly-tended gardens is definitely the pool with sweeping views over the hills and valleys featuring cypresses, walnuts trees, chestnusts, olives and palm-trees. La Fuente de la Higuera offers tranquility in the most romantic and beautiful of settings. Enjoy the starlit dinner on the terrace amidst orange and lemon trees, magnolia and jasmine. Need I say more?
Main points:
- most luxurious countryside hotel
- beautiful views
- great restaurant on site
- small boutique hotel for tranquility
2. Cortijo La Organic Ronda
Cortijo La Organic is a country house located within the organic experience project, only 2.5 km from Ronda. The hotel is situated in a stunning olive grove a 19th century farmhouse, estored by Stefano Robotti, from Philippe Starck’s studio. The Hotel has a swimming pool (but it’s very deep, so not suitable for young kids) and features 5 rooms designed for relaxation in a minimalist way, with nature and mountain views. The 150m2 terrace offers impressive views of the property and the Sierra de Grazalema, and a variety of rest areas where you can enjoy a natural environment. It offers a calm atmosphere, and the possibility of having a quiet breakfast or watching an impressive sunset while enjoying a typical local wine. Cortijo La Organic is the perfect place to organise family holidays or a romantic getaway overlooking one of the most beautiful place of Andalusia.
Main points:
- modern interior
- stunning set up and views
- interior is the most modern of them all
- has a big kitchen all the rooms have access to
- enjoy an olive oil tasting very nearby
(but there’s not restaurant in the hotel)
3. Los Pilares
Los Pilares De Ronda, a corner of the world with Andalusian charm converted into a Boutique Hotel just 4.5km from Ronda town. Set on a farm of more than 900 hectares of nature between the Sierra de Grazalema and La Sierra De Las Nieves, the estate features 18 personalized rooms in a natural tranquil setting, horse riding routes and traditional gastronomy. On the hotel grounds you can find countless peacocks strolling around(be aware that they can be quite noisy when they’re in heat springtime), and they also have horses nearby, plus all the little ones will love their small kids park with a swing!
Main points:
- beautiful set up and scenery
- 2 lovely pools
- horses available for horseriding
- small outdoor kids park
4. La Cueva del Gato Hotel
Located in the Grazalema Natural Park, just 3km from Benaoján and 14 km from Ronda, La Cueva del Gato has been converted into a cosy hotel, in line with the idea and our passion of simplicity and tranquillity. The hotel features it’s own little organic garden and in line with the contemporary trend followed by other places, they offer organic and seasonal food. The hotel is small, doensn’t have a big lounge area etc so it’s not so ideal with little kids, but we did visit it with Amanda and she loved it regardless of the small space. They also have a salt water pool that contains salt from the Roman salt pans of Iptuci, which are located in the Los Alcornocales Natural Park, in Prado Rey, in the province of Cádiz and belong to the Bronze Age. Its salt is a product that is characterized by its naturalness, its purity and its exclusivity.
Main points:
- salt water pool
- restaurant on site
- next to the famous Cueva del Gato
- beautiful scenery & mountains
- great for events
5. La Perla Blanca + Bad Man Winery
A beautiful simple rustic hotel with its own organic winery, just 10km from Ronda centre. They are actually one of the ONLY two hotels in Ronda who is able to offer winery tours onsite. The tours give an explanation why Ronda is the perfect wine making region as well as an overview of the wine making process and finishing with a tasting or 4 excellent wines.
Main point:
- hotel with a vineyard
- charming small rustic hotel
- the pool is not that shallow
(so kids would have to wear armbands etc)
6. Hotel Bodega El Juncal
Located just 3km from Ronda, Hotel Bodega El Juncal has available facilities full of charm and it’s also a winery that produces signature wines (called Lunares). We have available fully equipped rooms and decorated in a modern and functional way. Some of them count with views to our magnificent gardens, where you can find a fantastic swimming pool to enjoy and refresh yourself in summer. The place is perfect to come with kids as there are a lot of green areas and the swimming pool has a shallow end that is suitable for the little ones.
Main points:
- hotel with a vineyard
- beautiful pool that is perfect for kids
- comfortable stay with kids
- also great for events as it’s spacious
7. Hotel Reina Victoria
The hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria is settled in a unique environment, between a lovely pine forest in the middle of the town,walking distance to Ronda's landmarks and the famous Tajo de Ronda. Around the hotel, which has 95 fully equipped rooms, there's an amazing 3,000 sqm garden in which our guests can enjoy our swimming pool and our terrace. The hotel also has a small spa withe amazing views, and its own bar and restaurant should you not want to leave the premises. It’s perfect with kids as you can stroll them to the town, there’s also a kids park and plenty of space and green areas for them to run around.
Main points:
- modern interior
- kid friendly (outside kid park)
- spa+indoor & outdoor pool
- restaurant and bar
- 10 min walking from the centre
- stunning views