Hotel Caserio de Iznajar

The 20-bedroomed Hotel Caserio is in a fabulous location on the edge of the Iznajar Reservoir or Embalse de Iznajar (pronounced Ith-na-ha). It´s a matronly looking hotel a little neglected and in need of some painting when we stopped for coffee and loo break on 3rd April 2012.

The double wooden-door entrance opens onto a large lobby with staircase rising in the middle and the reception desk to your left. It has a warm welcoming feel due to the brick work and wood.

A very friendly chap on reception also served us coffee which we took through to a large glass-covered patio, probably once open to the air, with grape vines and running water. The patio was very pleasant but empty and we saw no other sign of life except one cleaner.

The back of the hotel has a large area for sitting, a big pool which in April was empty and lovely lake views.

Back of hotel with lake views

Outside front door with lake views

From what we saw it was all very clean and the situtation just superb, I have no doubts about staying in this hotel or recommending it.

The town of Iznajar is just across the water, with winding streets and a castle on top it´s a great exploration and of course the views from the top are gorgeous, the town appears completely surrounded by water. Read more about Iznajar.

Hotel Caserio de Iznajar, Urb Valdearenas El Remolino, S/N, 14970 Iznajar, Cordoba

Meson Rural Via Verde, Alcaudete

Meson Rural Via Verde is a small complex of self-catering tourist apartments on the Via Verde de Aceite in Alcaudete, Jaén. Fairly new and purpose built this is a charming set-up in a gorgeous location. It´s very pleasant, well-situated and the far reaching views make relaxing on the bar terrace a delight. The cosy dining room offers superb views too with walls of glass for cooler weather.

Meson Rural Via

For those who like to chill out or the more active who wish to jog, cycle or walk on the 55km Via Verde this location is superb. Just two minutes off the A316 Alcaudete to Martos drag and ten minutes from the town of Alcaudete this is olive grove country - miles of it. Both Granada and Cordoba are within easy day-trip distance and the towns of Alcala la Real and Priego de Cordoba should be on the visiting list too.

Meson Rural Apartments
Six apartments for 4/6 people and three casas for 2/4 are available for rent and there´s no need to go off site as the bar and dining room are open to all with a huge terrace for those stunning views. Two of the apartments are for non-smokers and one is for wheelchair use.

Meson Rural Bar and Dining Room

A more peaceful spot would be hard to find and these sunshine after the rain photos give you just a small idea of the tranquility and never-ending olive groves.

Meson Rural Bar Terrace and View

This is Jaén province Spain´s leading olive oil producer and you don´t get olive oil without a few olive trees.

Via Verde de Aceite

The whole place is clean, airy and charming. I´ll be going back to sample the menu soon and maybe or maybe not walk it off afterwards.

Jaen Parador

The Parador of Santa Catalina sits majestically on top of a hill of the same name, overlooking the city of Jaen and overshadowed by mighty Sierras. On a clear day olive groves march into the horizon and the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada in Granada province capture it´s splendour.

Jaen city at night from Santa Catalina hill

The Parador built in the style of the original Moorish fortress on the site does indeed have a stately feel. Huge thick walls, inspire whispers as long dark corridors lead to the bar and 20 metre high vaulted ceiling of the drawing room. The grand also vaulted ceiling of the large dining room fit for kings and the locally inspired menu makes the choice difficult - oh for time to try it all.

Jaen Parador Dining Room

Not only is this Parador special with an enviable location but right on the doorstep are the best views of Jaen, a castle(under reform) and a lovely walkway to a large white monumental cross at the end of the elongated hill.

Finca Las Encinas, Iznajar

Finca Las Encinas is on the edge of the hamlet of Los Juncares just a few minutes drive from the enormous lake of Iznajar in Cordoba province. A rural retreat with gastronomic delights. Drive up to the parking area to be greeted by dogs and hens, maybe a football too. This isn´t just a B&B but the home of Clive and Maki Ridout and their young son Cei.

Iznajar

Finca Las Encinas

Finca Las Encinas

This is a rustic retreat with a difference. The well-restored age-old finca amongst established trees on a southern facing slope with lovely views and communal areas is delightful. Evening meals are also on offer and rustic they are not!

Fine dining from an experienced chef turns the experience into something far more grand and if you fancy learning a tip or two from professional chef Clive he´ll help you turn out some classic Spanish dishes with his hands-on cookery classes.


If you´d rather just eat than cook that´s fine too.

Nick, the OH, and I did the tapas course which meant making several different tapas dishes, before eating them. I´m not sure which part we enjoyed most, the learning curve or the sampling.

We recommend it all. A first rate stay, superb food, great hosts and thoroughly enjoyable cooking session.

The tapas dishes we made and now have the recipes for are:

Almejas con Jamon - Clams with cured Ham
Berenjenas con Miel y Cilantro - Aubergines with Honey and Coriander seeds
Cogollos con Ajos fritos - Little Gem Lettuce with Garlic chips
Gambas al Ajillo - Garlic Prawns
Patatas Bravas - Spicy Potatoes
Pimientos de Piquillo rellenos con Bacalao - Red Peppers stuffed with Salt Cod



Visit the website Finca Las Encinas

Casa El Regüelo, Jaen

This is my own self-catering holiday rental house in the Sierra Sur de Jaén near Fuensanta de Martos. This is olive grove country, where most of Spain´s 600 million olive trees can be found. It is as I´m sure you now picture a silvery/green sea of olive groves that cover both mountain and plain.

Hamlet of El Regüelo

Rural life in a small hamlet with the nearest shops and bars 6km away means peace and quiet. Listen to the birds, watch swallows building their nests, take a dip in the pool or just relax on the patio.

A great base for day trips to Cordoba, Granada, Jaen and the twin UNESCO towns of Ubeda and Baeza are some of the larger cities to visit and there are numerable smaller white towns waiting to be explored.

The house can be self-catering, a shopping service can be provided daily and evening meals cooked freshly on request. Babysitting and bike loan is also on offer - just ask.

Visit the website of Casa Rural El Regüelo.

Welcome to My World of Spanish Accommodation, Hotels in Spain and Holiday Rentals across Spain

Welcome to my world of accommodation in Spain, my adopted homeland. There´s nothing I like better than planning my day trips or longer excursions around the wonderfully diverse and beautiful country I feel very priviliged to now call home.

Unlike my wanderings blog, Andalucia Explorer, here I will be sharing only on the various styles of accommodation that I visit on my jaunts.


Spanish Almond Blossom


Please feel free to comment, share or complain about your own experience of hostelry stays within Spain and her islands. Or get in touch by leaving me comment with your query plus your email address which won´t get published and will only be seen by me or email me on rachel dot martos at gmail dot com.

If you´d like help finding a particular style of accommodation you can also give me a shout. I like nothing better than researching, exploring and experiencing new places. I can also be hired to review or check out the suitability of a particular venue.