Suzannah Ramsdale grabs a spring break to a hideaway spa resort near Granada
Why go? Home to some of the most atmospheric cities in Spain – Seville, Córdoba and Granada – Andalucía is a good choice for an impulsive short break or a longer holiday touring around its lively beaches, whitewashed villages and olive-dotted hills.
When? There are plenty of flights to Málaga so if the forecast's looking good just book and go. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit when the weather will be warm but not stifling – or if you like to roast on a sun lounger July and August are guaranteed to be hot, hot, hot with the average temperature in Seville hitting 34°C.
Breakfast served with sunshine: a deluxe room at Hotel Barceló La Bobadilla
Stay at: Hotel Barceló La Bobadilla (barcelolabobadilla.com) is a magnificent five star hotel set in 1,000 acres of olive groves and rolling hills near Loja. Easily reached driving north from Málaga, it sits at the end of a long private drive and has 70 individually decorated rooms with a traditional Spanish style featuring terracotta tiled floors and a balcony or garden terrace. It's the sort of place where you can happily hide away for a few days, enjoying the spa, outdoor pool, three restaurants and sports facilities, or use it as a base for exploring. An extensive treatment menu includes massages featuring hot stones, bamboo canes and oriental chimes (from £44), plus ayurvedic therapies. Double rooms cost from £228 including breakfast and spa admission. Check out the hotel's special packages, which include a Wine & Spa programme available till the end of April where you can do a tasting of Andalucian wines and enjoy a slimming red grapes massage.
Cool pool: the U-Spa at Hotel Barceló La Bobadilla
You really must… Visit the Alhambra (alhambra.org), a Moorish palace-cum-fortress set on the hills overlooking Granada. It takes around 50 minutes to drive there from Loja, which is known as the City of Water because it has nearly 2,000 springs, and also worth exploring with a historic fort at the top of the town. The rugged countryside around here is also a great place to go riding – Hotel Barceló La Bobadilla has six Andalusian horses and two ponies with rides costing from £10 an hour.
Dine at: La Finca, Barceló La Bobadilla’s à la carte restaurant, is the only five-fork restaurant in Granada province, serving Mediterranean haute cuisine. Be sure to try some Riofrío, the world’s only organically farmed caviar, produced in the Sierra Nevada.
Riding high: the best way to see Andalucía is from the back of a horse
Bring home: Some sherry, of course, which is produced in nearby Jerez.
Book now: Monarch (monarch.co.uk) has flights to Málaga from five UK airports, from £80 return including taxes. Private transfers to Hotel Barceló La Bobadilla take 45 minutes and cost £85 one-way (book with the hotel), or hire a car (rentalcars.com).
Info: Andalucía (£13.99; Rough Guides) is a comprehensive guide, or see andalucia.org.
-
Mango Has Just Dropped the Ultimate Summer Collab Collection with Supriya LeleThe celebrity-loved, British-Indian designer is known for clothes that ooze effortless, sensual sophistication
-
Balancing Your Hormones Has Gone Wildly Viral This Year – but Are Some of the Hacks Actually Harmful? Top Nutritionists DebunkFeeling overwhelmed by all the noise around hormone balancing?
-
I Just Got Back From LA And Everyone Was Wearing These Nostalgic Summer SandalsAnd just like that, this lesser-known Y2K trend has made a comeback
-
Easy Escapes: Why Everyone’s Talking About this Quietly Luxe Cretean RetreatPhaea Blue is a true insider’s gem—discover a stay filled with local flavour, thoughtful design, and serious food credentials.
-
Easy Escapes: Keen to soak up the wellness-focused side of Ibiza? You can’t go wrong at Ocean Drive TalamancaTranquil, vibey and immaculately designed, here’s why the five-star hotel should be on your bucket list.
-
Easy Escapes: The Ned offers a decadent retreat in the heart of LondonThe Ned eclipses other London hotels with its sleek spa, extensive dining options and party atmosphere
-
Easy Escapes: Hôtel Grand Cœur Latin offers affordable luxury with a Roman-inspired wellness havenSet in the vibrant Latin Quarter, with sumptuous interiors and an epic backstory that dates back to Ancient Rome.
-
Easy Escapes: Hilton Bankside, a restorative bolthole near London's Tate ModernWith some impressive sustainability credentials
-
Easy Escapes: Designed with digital nomads in mind, Hôtel Pilgrim is a stylish stay in the heart of the Latin QuarterLooking for a home away from home in Paris? Hôtel Pilgrim feels welcoming and familiar while still exuding classic Parisian style.
-
Easy Escapes: Corinthia London is the discerning choice for the luxury travellerThis luxury hotel has it all — knock-out suites, Espa’s flagship spa and three excellent dining options
-
Easy Escapes: art’otel Hoxton is an artist's haven that reflects the vibrancy of its East London locationThis city-centre hotel puts contemporary art at the forefront with a programme of exhibitions and art-driven events
