Attitude city guide: Ronda, Spain

The Wonder of Ronda

When we think of Spain these days it’s hard not to simply imagine the rich clubby white sanded Ibiza, the high-rise all-inclusive ‘as seen on TV’ Benidorm or even gay bear mecca Sitges  – but Spain has much more to offer. We wanted to check out a region offering a truly authentic experience so we headed away from the beaches into the Andalucian Hills and specifically to ‘unmissable’ Ronda.

Talking a stroll around the city of Ronda takes your breath away. This is real Spain. Centuries of tradition and history surround you from the heavily Moorish influenced old town to the 200 year old bullring. Clearly not for everyone but this is where the modern tradition of bull fighting started.

The centre of the city is dominated by the extraordinary river gorge El Tajo which splits the city in two. At the top of the gorge is a bridge made out of stone which was once a prison. The view from the bridge has to be seen – even by this vertigo sufferer.

We spent our days in Rhonda simply enjoying the local tapas with cold beers tourist watching or idling around the many shops selling leather goods and Spanish trinkets. We found the local produce some of the best in the world. Breakfast, lunch and dinner became the day’s highlights with not one meal  or glass of wine disappointing.

Ronda is a very laid back city with traditional values, offering a very different experience from what you will find along the many costa resorts – but if that is your thing then you can drive to the coast in 45 minutes and visit Marbella or Malaga. It’s even possible to catch a ferry to Morroco for the day. Closer by the Andalucian hills are full of beautiful ‘Pueblos Blancas’ (the white villages) to explore and visit.

Rhonda doesn’t have a gay scene of bars and clubs but in the age of apps we’re pretty sure that anyone can magic up a gay scene anywhere these days. However if you need your nightlife fix then we would suggest an overnight trip to nearby Seville. About 90 minutes drive from Ronda.

Head to the Alameda de Hércules for a group of gay and gay friendly bars. Seville also has a couple of gay nightclubs but check locally as they either open seasonally or offer summer events and remember this is Spain so be prepared for everything not getting busy until the early hours of the morning.  Our advice though would be to simply stay around Ronda and head to one of the lovely friendly local bars at night for tapas and a few glasses of sherry.

Casa Grande

Our first option in the Ronda region this incredible villa nestled in an idyllic valley 10 minutes from the city.

The former farmhouse and outbuildings has been lovingly restored and provides an incredible retreat. This place can be whatever you want it to be – a luxury, exclusive romantic hide-away or one of the best party houses you can imagine. It has 6 double en-suite bedrooms that can accommodate up to 12 adults, that fantasy kitchen you’ve always wanted, a games room, sunset terrace, one massive pool area and a more secluded intimate pool. It even comes with its own walk in bodega – that’s basically a giant mini bar.  The accommodation has two amazing hosts oozing Irish hospitality who are as discreet or involved as you want them to be. They even have the wonderful habit of bringing in fresh organic produce off the land for their guests to enjoy.

One thing did strike us about this place – it would make the perfect location for a wedding. A small affair granted but a very special one none the less. The hosts can pretty much arrange anything – including a wedding. The request to organise a nice husband though is probably just out of their capabilities, before you ask.

Weekly prices:
Up to 12 guests
£2,679 low season
£6,160 high season
Mid season prices vary

Includes 6 hours maid service (more by arrangement)
A cook is available on request (payable locally)
Baby sitters available on request (payable locally)
scottwilliams.co.uk

Casa Africa

The second villa or fully serviced guest house as the owners called it was located in another part of the valley. There is a short drive off the main road through the valley before you hit the Casa Africa’s grounds.  Again, it’s another secluded and very private location and the main house is enormous.  The team are on hand for your arrival and offer a level of service that is just right, just right being whatever you want it to be. They can pretty much sort everything for you and your guest but will disappear to leave you alone if that is what you want.

The entrance to the villa leads you into the main living area. A wonderful bright open kitchen and living space with giant sofas and a large open fire just in case you want to visit in winter otherwise you can chill out in the summer breeze with large windows opening up all around the space.

Casa Africa offers seven double or twin rooms and its hard to pick out the master bedroom as each one offers amazing space and en-suite facilities. Most of the rooms are set around the patio area but two smaller rooms open up onto the gardens. Each room has its own terrace or garden just in case you want some time away from your guests.

There is a fabulous terrace and pool area and the entire area is surrounded by rolling countryside and vistas to the natural parks and mountains.

The villa is self-catering but a team of incredible chefs can prepare as many meals as you would like. The villas own gardeners pick fresh organic produce daily from the gardens and will prepare your meals using these outstanding ingredients.

Weekly prices:
Up to 14 guests
£5,095 low season
£7,278 high season
£6,187 mid season

Includes full maid service
A cook is available on request (payable locally)
Spa staff available available (payable locally)
scottwilliams.co.uk

Hotel la Fuente de la Higuera

Our third and final option for the Ronda region is a small luxury hotel – it’s a perfect romantic retreat but you will feel like you are staying with friends, the service and hospitality is that good.

The building design is traditional Spanish architecture with post-modern design the hotel is situated a short drive from Ronda situated in grounds featuring gardens and olive and orange groves.

There are only 7 rooms at the hotel, all very individual in design and facilities, all south facing and all just offering a tranquil and restful experience. Each room has its own terrace or garden patio and our room even had a roof top hot tub.

There is a sumptuous pool and outside terrace for dining and early evening cocktails before dinner in the hotel restaurant. And you must visit the restaurant. Evening dinner was a charming experience with the friendly hosts welcoming us, entertaining us and making us relax. The wine menu is excellent and the couple of local varieties we ‘tested’ were delicious. The night’s dinner menu is a small choice because the chef’s use organic ingredients picked from the hotel’s gardens daily and matched with either locally sourced fresh fish or meat.  The food at the hotel is world class. It was some of the best if not the best we have tasted and reason enough to visit this great hotel.

Reservations: info@HotellaFuente.com
Telephone: +34 952 16 56 08
HotellaFuente.com